Dr. Leighcraft Shakes, was an RA during his years at Oakwood, and was active as a Literature Evangelist. He exemplified Christ and greatly impacted the experience of the students working with him. Dr. Shakes is currently a pharmacist-pharmacotherapy specialist.
Dr. Walter Simmons is currently the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies in the Boler School of Business at John Carroll University, where he was the first African American economics professor, chair of the economics department, and coordinator of the International Business program. He has guided a cultural and academic immersion program in Africa, Europe, China and South America, and continues to mentor and advise minority students. The retention and matriculation of minority students at the university have increased because of this mentoring program.
Owen Simons is one of several students who organized a freshman choir in 1988. That choir’s name became Dynamic Praise, and Simons was the first director. He has since been succeeded by Andrew “Benji” Young, Bruce Bean, and current student Bryce Davis. Dynamic Praise has traveled extensively, sharing the stage with such artists as Yolanda Adams and Richard Smallwood, and many more. The choir’s alumni roster includes members of Take 6, Virtue, and Committed, Sean Simmonds, Duawne Starling, Carmen Hope and Lee Cort.
Dr. Alice Princess Msumba Siwundhla arrived at Oakwood College from Malawi, Africa. She was featured on the pioneering reality TV show “This is Your Life,” and recounts her life as an orphan who was later adopted by a Seventh-day Adventist missionary, Mrs. Josephine Cunnington Edwards in her bestselling autobiography “Alice Princess.” After Oakwood, Alice Princess earned a Ph.D. from United States International University in San Diego. She stars in the award-winning web series “Alice Princess is Fresh!”which focuses on healthy eating. The series is produced and directed by her daughter, award-winning broadcast journalist and film producer Lena Nozizwe.
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SPRING 2017
3/27/17 10:00 AM