On July 23, Oakwood University will host the Huntsville Beautification Awards. The work of Oakwood's Grounds Department has been recognized on the City's Beautification Honor Roll for more than 14 years. The award, which is a green and gold sign conspicuously placed at the entrance of the campus, is indicative of an exacting standard that must be maintained. Grounds Director Carlos Cole says, "They can pull your sign at any time."

Next week will be the first time Oakwood will host the award's ceremony. If past years are any indication, Oakwood's campus is sure to be awarded once again. 

Oakwood's Grounds Department is responsible for approximately 600 acres of Oakwood's 1,200-acre campus. They are to be commended for their selfless dedication to maintaining a beautiful campus.

The City Beautification Board was created in 1956, to improve the appearance of Huntsville through ordinances and by recognizing the efforts of private and public sectors in making a more healthful and beautiful city. The beautification awards have been presented for 36 years.

In approximately four weeks, the Oakwood University campus will be alive again with new students - members of the Class of 2019, to be exact. New Student Orientation (NSO) is planned for August 12-18 with the theme "Ready, Set, Oakwood!" NSO Committee Chairperson Monica Sudeall-Hawkins states "We are excited to welcome in all of our new and transfer students to the University. We know that God is in control and that He will bless our entire team to help ensure that these students will receive the best academic experience there is to offer." This event helps to prepare new students for life at Oakwood before returning students come back to campus. For a preliminary NSO schedule, click here.

Photo by Maurice Dixon, Neighbor Newspapers

by Maurice Dixon | Neighbor Newspapers

Around this time last year, Stockbridge, Georgia, resident and Oakwood University basketball player Jordan Pressley had to focus on getting healthy, but now he is trying to improve his skills.

"I had surgery last summer so I was just trying to recover and get my knee stronger," said Pressley at J.P. Moseley Recreation Center last week. "This summer I will continue to work out and get better before the season starts."

After winning a state championship with Greater Atlanta Christian in 2013, Pressley moved on to the Division-II school in Huntsville (Oakwood), but did not play his freshman season following a cartilage tear in his right knee.
  
Even though Pressley did not have much time to prepare for the 2014-15 season, he managed to work his way into the rotation and score eight points a game while logging 20 minutes of action.  Now 100 percent, the 6-foot-3 shooting guard is training three times a week.

"Coach [Simon Jacob, Sr.] challenged me to get better on defense as far as footwork and quickness," said Pressley, who is a business management major.

Last season under first-year coach Jacob, the Ambassadors had a 4-16 record. Oakwood lost its first four games of the season before defeating Hiwassee 102-97 in double overtime. The Ambassadors also won their next game, a 95-91 OT decision against Auburn University Montgomery, for their longest winning streak of the season.
 
Oakwood lost its next six games and failed to win a conference game or road contest.

However, Pressley and his teammates capped the season with an 81-69 victory over Selma University. The Ambassadors compete in the U.S. Collegiate Athletic Association.

Oakwood University also offers women's basketball, softball, volleyball, baseball and soccer for both genders.