Dr. Rod Strickland keeps busy. In addition to working as a cosmetic dentist here at The Durham Office, developing the Denture Fountain of Youth®, and teaching FOY® Dentures classes, he serves as the president of the Board of the Hilton Head Christian Academy (HHCA), and has helped guide the institution in its design of a new school for 21st century education.
A Large Groundbreaking Ceremony
On May 16, 2019, over 400 people attended the official groundbreaking for the new HHCA campus in Bluffton. The 27.7 acre campus is located off Masters Way near Bluffton Parkway.
At the ceremony, Dr. Strickland linked the new location of the school with the school’s mission, “The Town of Bluffton welcomes young families, harbors excellence and adamantly protects its most valuable assets – just as we do at HHCA. With these shared core values, we look forward to becoming a valued community partner.”
Since its founding in 1979, the HHCA has been located in Hilton Head Island. The move to Bluffton was a significant break with the past, but was an important one for the future of the Academy.
A Purpose-Built Building for 21st Century Education
The new building isn’t just a new building, it’s a reconstruction of the principles on which the HHCA is based. For 40 years, the HHCA has been the leading Christian school in the Hilton Head area. The Christian values of the school will continue to be foundational to the school. In addition, the teachers that helped make the school an outstanding educational institution will continue. As will the sense that the HHCA is the heart of a vibrant community, where life-changing events bring people together in fellowship that nurtures community life.
However, the new building is purpose-built to enhance the mission of the HHCA through the 21st century. The goal is to create a decentered learning model, where students have more control over their learning experience. They have more control over what they study and they schedule on which they study. In this environment, students are encouraged to engage in complex problem solving, critical thinking, coordination and management of others, as well as emotional intelligence.
As Dr. Strickland explains, “What we’re looking for is a student who graduates who . . . has a firm foundation in Christ and is well-prepared to face the world.”
The new school should become a destination school, drawing students from around the country and even the world to enjoy a unique educational opportunity.
The Durham Office Is a Part of Hilton Head
The Durham Office has been serving the Lowcountry area for almost as long as the HHCA, and in that time we’ve put down deep roots here. The people we treat in our office aren’t just patients, they are friends, family, and neighbors. We feel a duty to always provide them with the best care we know–and we work hard to know the best dentistry techniques available.
We invite you to schedule a consultation to learn how we do dentistry differently–how we offer Beyond Exceptional Dentistry. Please call (843) 706-2999 today to schedule your appointment.
