Birth

On November 16, 1896, the school opened with 16 students on a small 360-acre farm. Oakwood was named after the 65 oak trees that were on the land. To see a complete listing of the first 16 students, please go to the Archives LibGuide. You can't help but notice that the first class was evenly divided among males and females.

The first principal was Solon M. Jacobs and he had a staff of three teachers: Arthur F. Hughes, H.S. Shaw, and Hattie Andre. The curriculum was somewhat different than it is today. For starters, as the name implied, this was not a college, the classes were on the elementary school level with courses in English, religion, and industrial arts.

As the school grew, changes were made to its curriculum and to its name:

Oakwood Industrial School (1986-1904)

Oakwood Manual Training School (1904-1917)

Principals were: Solon M. Jacobs, H.S. Shaw, B.E. Nicola, F.R. Rogers, G.H. Baber, W.J. Blake, and C.J. Boyd.

First Black and also first to hold a terminal degree on campus was: Lottie C. Isbell Blake, M.D.

First graduating class: 1909 (five nursing students)

First ministerial graduate: 1909 (a little later - Alexander Osterman)

Not only was doing the laundry a class, but it was an industry.

Students working in the saw mill

Another one of the industries, and source of sustenance.

Groiup of social workers who have devoted themselves to Negro Education

Solon Jacobs and students in front of Old Mansion

1896 picture of Old Mansion. Solon Jacobs, first principal, is standing on the balcony with his wife.

emory115-Boyd and Harris with wives 1912 or 1913.jpg

Principal and Mrs. C.J. Boyd (2nd principal) and

Ellen White visiting Oakwood Campus in 1904. This is believed to have been her last visit to the campus.

Many of the students that came to Oakwood via the train.

The students are on their way to chapel. You can see that the men and women were on separate sides.