“After nearly 30 years of planning and discussing strategies for a full campus for Oakwood Adventist Academy, I’m pleased to announce that the third and final phase of the Oakwood Adventist Academy building project is now completed! It’s been a long time coming, but look what God has done!”
These were the opening words from Oakwood University Church (OUC) senior pastor and Oakwood Adventist Academy (OAA) building project chairperson, Carlton P. Byrd, spoken to the crowd of community residents, church members, and OAA employees, parents, and students gathered to witness the official opening of the newly constructed OAA high school building in Huntsville, Alabama, on August 9, 2020.
Special guests who were present for this celebratory occasion included Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle; Alabama State Representative Laura Hall; and Huntsville City Councilman Will Culver, who all shared greetings, well wishes, and words of commendation to OAA for the longstanding commitment to education and investment in the lives of young people. South Central Conference president Benjamin Jones and Oakwood University president Leslie N. Pollard also shared words of support given the realization of this historic event.
Also present were Albert Dudley, Sr. and Bonita Dudley Parker, children of the late Pastor and Mrs. Charles E. Dudley, Sr. The Dudleys were strong supporters of Adventist education throughout Pastor Dudley’s 31-year tenure as South Central Conference president. Given Dudley’s advocacy, the new high school building was named in their honor.
OAA’s principal, Judy B. Chiles-Dent, remarked on the significance of the timing of the project’s completion, saying, “One thing I’m grateful for is that while we’re in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it gives the opportunity for our children to have the necessary space for practicing social distancing while receiving a quality Christian education.”
In 1992, the OAA elementary school building, phase one, was completed under the leadership of the late E.C. Ward, then OUC senior pastor and OAA building chairperson. In January 2012, Byrd assumed this responsibility, and in December 2013, the OAA multi-education complex, phase two, inclusive of the middle school, gymnasium, and cafeteria, was completed, along with the elementary building being completely renovated. In August 2020, the high school building, phase three, was completed. The full OAA campus can now accommodate 500 students.
The new high school building is a state-of-the-art 20,000-square-foot facility, equipped with an administrative office suite, faculty lounge, conference room, and 12 classrooms including a contemporary collaboration room for media and technology learning opportunities, and two science labs.
“We really have the ability to provide stellar education in a Christ-centered environment not just for our Adventist community, but for students in the entire Huntsville community,” states Lakeisha Williams, OAA vice principal.
“I walk into this building, and I feel a sense of relief because it’s done,” says OAA business manager Mary Greene. “Just knowing that God was able to walk us through this and bring us to this point has been so refreshing. And I’m just waiting to see what else God has in store as we walk in this uncharted territory.”
This article was originally published on the North American Division’s news site