able to attend. In spite of the SDA Church's efforts against students' activism, a few male Oakwood students formed activist coalitions with Alabama A&M University students or formed their own small activist groups which attempted to obtain service at establishments throughout Huntsville that would only serve white patrons.
=== Accreditation and growth ===
Oakwood began with an initial enrollment of 16 students in 1896, and increased to more than 100 by 1917 and 200 in 1927.
It was initially accredited as a junior college in 1943, and the school's first baccalaureate degrees were awarded in 1945.
Between 1958 and 1963, Oakwood made progress toward full senior college accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and joined the United Negro College Fund in 1964.
Oakwood's enrollment reached over 1,000 in 1974, and from 1973 to 1982, the number of graduates increased from 124 to 200.
By 2003, Oakwood offered liberal arts and professional degrees, and had an enrollment of approximately 1,700 …
