OAK 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 that honors individuals and organizations from 34 countries who exemplify outstanding humanitarian efforts. At the forefront, iChange Nations recognizes the efforts of people who have impacted greater levels of change in their community, inspiring others to provide selfless service to their community.
Five individuals will receive 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 children of any age. In addition, Mr. Dillon holds a 10th degree Grandmaster black belt as an instructor of Ryukyu Okinawan Karate from the renowned Dillman Karate International. Meanwhile, four others with ties to Oakland City or Oakland City University will receive other major honors.
The protagonist of the ceremony will be Dr. Ruben West, author, entrepreneur, royal adviser to the king of Ghana and international speaker. In 2016, Dr. West received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from then-President Barak Obama. Additionally, Dr. West holds several degrees and honors from around the world, including the Army Commendation Medal for his service in the United States Army. The Army Commendation Medal is awarded for actions in peacetime or war, in defense of civilians or a unit, or for actions in direct combat.
Earlier in the day, Dr. West and Mr. Dillon will speak with criminal justice students at Oakland City University. Dr. West received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas.
Oakland City University provides students with a Christian learning environment by helping students and supporting them financially and academically as they pursue fulfilling careers and purposeful lives. OCU is ranked 7th nationally by US World Report for Social Mobility and 4th by OnlineU for Online
The Forensic Science Degreed Program in the US OCU is blessed with 38% student diversity and 29% first generation undergraduates, awarding over $13 million in financial aid awards. Additionally, OCU’s student-to-athlete success rate is 88%, with a 12:1 student-to-faculty success rate in more than 50 career-focused concentrations. Go in to learn – Go forward to serve. OCU is located at 138 North Lucretia Street, OaklandCity, IN 47660, and can be found online at www.oak.edu.
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