Dr. Warren has held more major leadership positions at Oakwood University than anyone else in its history and he writes from a unique perspective.

In Sprucing the Tree the author looks at how, from its inception in 1896 as Oakwood Industrial School to the current Oakwood University, its principals and presidents have pointed the way to the life-tree value system. Ellen White's vision of a school for black Adventist young people continues to inspire a pursuit of higher education which leads to abundant living in this world and the world to come.