Moran Hall at Oakwood College
Hailey Neal, Fall 2024
My postcard features Moran Hall, which was named after James Lewis Moran, at Oakwood College. Moran became the first African American President of Oakwood College in 1920 and stayed in that position until 1927; he resumed his role as president again in 1930-1932. Construction on Moran Hall began in 1939 and was completed in 1944. The students at Oakwood helped build the hall in exchange for tuition, making Moran Hall special to students.
James Moran had been to many different colleges including New York University, Fisk University, Howard University, and LaSalle Extension University. After graduating from LaSalle with a law degree, he went on to found Harlem Academy where he served as the principal. Moran was then suddenly appointed to office because of a student strike on campus. They wanted to end the discrimination on campus and leadership positions. The students won their strike in 1932 when Moran took office. Moran oversaw the Junior to Senior transitions and the construction of Moran Hall. The college saw an overall growth of the student body, faculty, and school achievements.
The Seventh-Day Adventists and Oakwood College were caught by the Great Depression when planning to build Moran Hall, which would suffice the critical need for classrooms. Moran had a dream of building the largest building on campus. He was determined to not let the depression slow him down. He got together with the faculty and staff and determined that they would build this hall with the help of the students since it would dramatically lower the cost of construction. The students were eager to help build a hall that they would get to marvel in during their lectures; the project was started in 1939.
The first stage of construction was completed a few months later in May 1940 only costing $30,000, which was an extremely low cost at the time. An assembly hall with a capacity of 540, a recreational hall, four offices, and ten large classrooms were done in this stage. By the end of the second stage, in 1944, the West and East sections were completed. It served as a chapel alongside room for classes for everyone on campus. It also originally housed the Business, English, and Education departments. The final cost of this building was about $72,000, which the students, faculty, and staff gave thanks for.
Moran Hall held many historic events after its completion. The first Bachelor’s degree commencement was held in the auditorium in 1945. The first annual concert of Messiah was held the year after. The crowning of the college’s first Miss UNCF was held in Moran Hall in 1969 Freshman orientations, wedding, and funerals were all also held in this hall throughout the following years.
Moran Hall stands as a testament to the resilience, determination, and collaboration of the Oakwood College community. It is more than just a building; it symbolizes the legacy of James Lewis Moran and the students who worked tirelessly to bring his vision to life, even during the challenges of the Great Depression. Moran's leadership not only advanced the infrastructure of the college but also fostered a sense of unity and purpose among its students and faculty. Over the years, Moran Hall has witnessed numerous significant events, from graduations to concerts, all contributing to the rich history of Oakwood. Its walls echo the achievements of those who helped build it, reminding us of the lasting impact of community, vision, and dedication.