OAKLAND CITY – As part of Homecoming Week, Oakland City University will host the iChange Nations awards on Thursday, January 26, at 4:00 pm CT in the Recital Hall of the Cornwell-Reed building on the Oakland City University campus.
Change Nations is an international organization awarding individuals and organizations from 34 countries that exemplify extraordinary humanitarian efforts. At the forefront, iChange Nations recognizes efforts by individuals who have impacted greater levels of change in their community while inspiring others to give services selflessly to their community.
Five individuals will be presented with the Greg K. Dillon Excellence in Action Award, named after the 1975 Oakland City alum. Mr. Dillon is the 2021 iChange Nations ICON Newcomer of the Year and founder of “Have a Blast with Granddad,” a unique concept of providing safety, civility, fitness, and nutrition for kids of any age. In addition, Mr. Dillon holds a 10th-degree Grandmaster black belt as an instructor in Okinawan Ryukyu Karate from the renowned Dillman Karate International. Meanwhile, four others with ties to Oakland City or Oakland City University will receive other prominent honors.
Headlining the ceremony will be Dr. Ruben West, author, entrepreneur, royal advisor to the King of Ghana, and international speaker. In 2016, Dr. West received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from then President Barak Obama. In addition, Dr. West holds several degrees and honors from around the world, including the Army Commendation Medal for his service to the United States Army. The Army Commendation Medal is given for actions during peacetime or in war, in defense of civilians or
one’s unit, or for actions in direct combat.
Earlier in the day, Dr. West and Mr. Dillon will speak with Oakland City University’s Criminal Justice students. Dr. West holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Washburn University in Topeka,
Kansas.
Oakland City University provides students with a Christian learning environment giving students a hand-up and supporting them financially and academically as they pursue fulfilling careers and purposeful lives. OCU is ranked 7th Nationally by U.S. World Report for social mobility and 4th by OnlineU for Online
The Forensic Science Degreed program in the U.S. OCU is blessed with 38% student diversity and 29% first-generation college students, awarding over $13M in financial aid awards. In addition, OCU’s student-athlete success rate is 88%, with a 12:1 student-to-faculty class rate in over 50 career-focused concentrations. Enter to Learn – Go Forth to Serve. OCU is located at 138 North Lucretia Street, Oakland
City, IN 47660, and can be found online at www.oak.edu.
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