On August 9, 2020, Carlton Byrd, speaker/director of Breath of Life TV ministries, Oakwood University Church senior pastor, and Oakwood Adventist Academy building project chairperson, addresses a group celebrating the completion of the academy building project. Photo provided by Breath of Life
“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 (OAA) 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 OAA building project chairperson, Carlton P. Byrd, 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 Christian Education throughout Pastor Dudley’s 31 year tenure as South Central Conference president. Given the 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.”
The inaugural event for the Oakwood Adventist Academy is held at the school's entrance on August 9, 2020. The third and final phrase of the building project, the completion of the high school, was recently completed. Photo provided by Breath of Life
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, along with two science labs to promote STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education. OAA vice principal Lakeisha Williams spoke about the unique learning opportunities that the new school building provides. She said, “We really have the ability to provide stellar education in a Christ-centered environment not just for our Adventist community, but also for students in the entire Huntsville community.”
OAA business manager Mary Greene added, “I walk into this building, and I feel a sense of relief, because it’s done! 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.”