Oakwood University – It’s Official

A special meeting of Oakwood’s constituency delegates representing the school’s core groups changed the name of the112-year-old institution on Sunday, December 2,2007.  Appreciating the rich history of the name Oakwood, the delegates’vote for “Oakwood University” brought closure to extensive discussions engaging administrators, faculty, staff, and students during the past several months in efforts to facilitate diversity of input.

The final vote followed two hours of careful deliberation that began 10 years ago in response to questions surrounding strategic planning for the institution’s future direction.  Such discussions provided a springboard for the issue of incorporating graduate program offerings as a part of the institution’s academic goals.

Last June, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) approved the institution’s request to offer its first graduate degree, the master of arts in pastoral studies.  That SACS approval advanced Oakwood to its current Level III status.

As a result, the college considered changing its historic name to more accurately represent its academic programs to prospective students.

For the past 10 consecutive years, Oakwood has been one of the few Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to enjoy inclusion in top tier rankings among America’s Best Colleges and Universities in the southern region of the United States (U.S.  News & World Report).

Recently, Oakwood was listed #22 among the 110 HBCUs in a special ranking published by U.S.  News & World Report.  In stark contrast, the institution’s first graduating class numbered five in 1909—a far cry from the anticipated number of graduates who will comprise the Class of 2008 and are expected to receive the first diplomas granted by Oakwood University this coming May.  That alone was reason enough to join in a pre-holiday, campuswide celebration that took place last month just before the students left campus on winter break. 

The invitation was extended by Delbert Baker, Oakwood president, and his administrative staff a couple of days after the renaming decision.  Administrators, faculty, staff, and students took turns at the microphone, expressing excitement and an overall spirit of thankfulness in between bites of old-fashioned cookies and ice cream.  Blue and gold balloons flanked the celebrants as they pressed into the Blake Center cafeteria to share nostalgic stories and testimonials about God’s rich blessings on the institution for many years. 

And while others may make New Year’s resolutions, you can be assured that fellow “Oakwoodites” around the nation and the world will celebrate January 1, 2008, as the birthday of Oakwood University.  This blessed event in Oakwood history comes 50 years after its original accreditation in 1958, and 112 years after opening its doors as Oakwood Industrial School in 1896.

Oakwood, named for the abundance of oak trees that populated the original 380 acres purchased in 1895 for the establishment of the school, has been known by three additional names since that time.  It became Oakwood Manual Training School in 1904, Oakwood Junior College in 1917, and eventually Oakwood College in 1943.  The assumption of each new label marked its progression through the various levels of regional accreditation.

Baker noted that “this historic decision speaks to the quality of Oakwood faculty, staff, and students.  We have a rich legacy and a bright future as Oakwood University.”

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