HUNTSVILLE Ala.
Oakwood College will become Oakwood University on Jan. 1, a name change that will make it Alabama’s 18th university.
More than 125 delegates attending a constituency meeting at the school approved the name change Sunday.
School President Delbert Baker said the change reflects “new horizons” at Oakwood.
The historically Black college was founded by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In June, Oakwood began offering its first-ever post graduate degree a master of arts in pastoral studies. The degree is the first of a number of graduate degrees Oakwood is considering.
Some of the signs on campus might be changed before Oakwood’s 1,800 students return in January from Christmas break. A bigger unveiling celebration of the new name is set for Easter weekend in March during the annual alumni gathering.
The 2007-08 graduating class will be the first to have Oakwood University on their diplomas.
“They are excited,” Baker said. “They are really, really excited.”
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