Childhood

By April 12, 1917, Oakwood became a junior college (another name change) -- Oakwood Junior Colege. President J.I. Beardsley made changes to the curriculum as Oakwood started offering post-secondary courses. There were new faculty and instruction in the following departments: Bible, English, History, Science, Math, Medical Missionary, Education, Music and Business & Secretary, Vocational, and Theological.

Term Tuition: Tuition-$1.50 Room - $4.50 Board/Food- $6.00

Like today, students who needed extra funds worked on campus and/or colporteured. As needs dictated, Oakwood administration took to using their musical homegrown talent to fundraise and recruit. Favorite groups included Oakwood Jubilee Quartet, Oakwood Nightingales, Alabama Singers, and Oakwood Glee Club.

1932 - Important year in Oakwood history -- President J.L. Moran became the first Black president of Oakwood, and Calven E. Mosley became the 1st Black to chair the Bible Department and pastor the Oakwood Church. By 1945, Oakwood was ready to become a college.

Alabama Singers were one of the favorite groups that went around singing not only to save souls, but to bring them in to Oakwood. The gentleman standing on the left is Otis B. Edwards.

Tuition went up in 1940, but see how 1940 compares with tuition, room and board today.

The Glee Club

Students working on Old Chapel.

Eva B. Dykes, 1st Ph.D. hired at Oakwood, she was the 1st Black woman to complete the requirements for the PhD in the United States. She is cfedited with being the founder of the award-winning Aeolians.