Press Release Archives - Langston University

Category: Press Release

Langston University Announces 2026 Commencement Speaker: Sherman L. Lewis

Release Provided By Ellie Melero

LANGSTON, Okla.–President Ruth Ray Jackson announced Wednesday that distinguished alumnus Sherman L. Lewis will serve as the speaker for the 126th Commencement of Langston University on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 10 a.m. in W.E. Anderson Stadium. Lewis will also receive an honorary doctorate degree during the ceremony.

Lewis is a proud alumnus and long-time supporter of LU. He has served the university for more than fifty years in various capacities, including as the current chair of the Langston University Board of Trustees for the Urban Campuses and a member of the LU Foundation Board. He was a trailblazer in the field of conservation, a successful entrepreneur, and he is the most prolific individual donor in the university’s history

“Langston University is proud of the work Mr. Sherman Lewis has done for Oklahoma and the agriculture industry, and we are grateful for all the ways in which he gives back to his alma mater,” Dr. Jackson said. “Over the years, his generous donations have helped countless LU students pursue their degrees while also enhancing the student experience. He is the single largest donor in the university’s history, but he also gives his time through his work on the Board of Trustees for Urban Campuses, the LU Foundation Board and his participation in various events throughout the year.”

Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson and Dean Joshua Busby present Sherman Lewis with an award — President Ruth Ray Jackson awarded Sherman Lewis the first ever Presidential Award of Excellence during the 20th Annual President’s Scholarship Gala in 2025.

Lewis grew up on a farm near Beggs, Oklahoma, and earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics with a minor in mathematics from LU in1964. After graduation, he spent two years in the military before joining the USDA Soil Conservation Service, now the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), in 1967.

He was quickly recognized for his outstanding service, and in 1971, Lewis became the first Black District Conservationist in Oklahoma, serving as the District Conservationist for Rogers County. He continued to rise through the ranks, and he eventually became Director of the Conservation Planning Division in Washington, D.C. In 1997, he retired as Deputy Administrator for Management and Strategic Planning for NRCS.

Lewis returned to Langston University as the Director for the Center for Outreach Programs, where he focused on recruiting students, providing technical assistance to producers and minority-owned businesses, and developing partnerships with federal and state agencies to secure scholarships, internships and career opportunities for students.

After eight years at LU, Lewis decided to venture into the private sector. He and his family started several businesses in Houston, Texas, including quick service restaurants, construction project management, real estate, wholesale and retail gas distribution and a Mexican restaurant.

Lewis was awarded the Heart of the Lion Award in 2014 and received the 1890 Career Exemplar Award from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities in 2015. In 2022, he and his family established the Sherman and Berniece Lewis Endowment, which was the largest single donation in university history. Shortly after, the university renamed the School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences to the Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. In 2025, he received the first ever Langston University Presidential Award of Excellence.

For more information about Langston University’s commencement ceremony, please visit langston.edu/commencement.

rehabilitation counseling students in class

Langston University Rehabilitation Counseling program ranked Top 10 in the nation, Top HBCU program

Release Provided By Ellie Melero

The Langston University Rehabilitation Counseling Program has been named one of the Top 10 rehabilitation counseling graduate programs and the Top HBCU program in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.

Langston University rose 8 points in the rankings from 2025 to be named the tenth best program in the United States. Previously tied with Winston-Salem University, LU now sits as the highest ranked Historically Black College or University (HBCU) on the list.

“We are incredibly proud to see our Rehabilitation Counseling program break into the Top 10 nationally,” said Dr. Corey Moore, the founding director of the program. “While the ranking is a high honor, the true reward is watching our graduates enter the workforce fully equipped to lead, and seeing our research translate into better outcomes for the communities we serve.”

Langston University was ranked above programs from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Northern Illinois University, University at Buffalo-SUNY and others.

This accomplishment comes as the program celebrates its 25th anniversary, and LU President Ruth Ray Jackson recently honored Dr. Moore with a Distinguished Service Award for his leadership as the founding chair of the Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Services.

Langston University’s rehabilitation counseling master’s program is available in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Students benefit from small class settings that allow for more one-on-one interaction with the program’s distinguished faculty, and they have opportunities to participate in ground-breaking research at the department’s two federally funded Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers. Many of the students receive scholarships funded by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services/U.S. Department of Education, and all students participate in hands-on internships.

“We will use this momentum to further enhance the academic preparation of the next generation of rehabilitation and mental health professionals and to continue translating our high-impact solutions-oriented research initiatives funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research/Administration for Community Living,” Dr. Moore said.

For more information about the Rehabilitation Counseling Program, please visit langston.edu/rehab.

Chris Vincent crouches on the sidelines during a Langston University Women's Basketball game.

LU Women’s Basketball Head Coach Chris Vincent Departs for Division II

Release Provided By Jet Turner

Langston University Women’s Basketball Head Coach Chris Vincent has accepted a position as the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at NCAA Division II Purdue Northwest. A national search will be held to determine the next leader of Lady Lions basketball.

Vincent came to Langston University as the Associate Head Coach of the men’s basketball team under Chris Wright in 2022, helping lead the greatest single season turnaround in college basketball history. Their remarkable success included two Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) regular season and tournament championships, two NAIA national tournament appearances, a runner-up finish in the 2023-2024 season, and an overall record of 66-5.

After two years in the role, Vincent was selected as the Head Women’s Basketball Coach in 2024.

“We recognized Coach Vincent’s leadership potential while serving as the associate head coach on the men’s side of our basketball program for two seasons, and that continued when he began to serve as our women’s head coach,” Langston University Athletic Director Donnita Drain-Rogers said. “Coach Vincent’s passion for the sport of women’s basketball, recruiting expertise and the ability to quickly develop a winning culture are just a few reasons why he stood out when we were looking to fill our head women’s position in Spring 2024.

“His basketball IQ, recruiting expertise and leadership skills have been on full display these past two seasons leading the Lady Lions. He’s left his mark on the Lady Lions program in his short time here. We wish him well in all his future endeavors, and I’m looking forward to seeing him continue to blossom for years to come.”

In his two years leading the Langston University women’s basketball program, Vincent tallied a 55-9 overall record. He led the Lady Lions to back-to-back Sooner Athletic Conference regular season titles, one SAC tournament championship and two berths into the NAIA Women’s Basketball National Tournament.

During the 2024-2025 season, the Lady Lions advanced to the NAIA National Tournament Round of 16 and tied the program record for most wins in a season with 31. The Lady Lions finished with the No. 1 defense in the country and No. 2 in overall efficiency.

“Words cannot fully express the love and passion I have for Langston University,” Vincent said. “The past four years have been nothing short of historic and memorable, but even more importantly, life changing.

“I am forever grateful for the opportunity to propel this program to an even greater place, not only winning four conference championships, tournament championships, and national championship appearances, but touching the lives of players, colleagues and alumni. The impact that has on Langston University surpasses any wins or losses.”

Vincent’s player accomplishments include two Defensive Players of the Year, two Newcomers of the Year, and one Sixth Woman of the Year. Additionally, he’s had three players named First Team All-SAC, two players named Second Team All-SAC, one player named Third Team All-SAC and two players named Honorable Mention All-SAC.

Langston University wishes Coach Vincent and his family the best of luck in their future endeavors.

“Coach Vincent will be deeply missed,” President Ruth Ray Jackson said. “His dedication to Langston University basketball––on both the men’s and women’s sides––helped elevate these programs to an elite level. His service and mentorship extended far beyond the basketball court, leaving a lasting impact on the entire Langston University community. We wish him all the best at Purdue Northwest and continued success in all his future endeavors.”

Former Langston University Head Coach Chris Wright talks to his players in the locker room.

LU Men’s Basketball Head Coach Chris Wright Departs for Division I Alabama State

Release Provided By Jet Turner

Langston University Men’s Basketball Head Coach Chris Wright has accepted a position as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at NCAA Division I program Alabama State University. A national search will be held to determine the next leader of Lion’s men’s basketball.

“Coach Wright’s impact on Langston University basketball has become legendary in just a few short years,” said Langston University Athletic Director Donnita Drain-Rogers. “The program, culture and championship level of play he created set the standard for small college hoops. I look forward to watching his impact on NCAA Division I basketball and celebrating his future success.”

In his four years at Langston University, Wright has amassed a record of 121-21, bringing a winning culture back to LU men’s basketball. His teams have made the NAIA National Championship Tournament each year, finishing in the Round of 16 in 2023 and 2025 and as the National Runner-Up in 2024 and 2026.

Wright’s time at Langston University has been highlighted with many historic moments. After inheriting a program that went 1-27 in the 2021-22 season, Wright engineered the single greatest turnaround in the history of college basketball when he took over the program in 2022. The Lions finished that season at 31-3 overall and climbed to No. 3 in the national polls. The program became the first ever HBCU to win the Sooner Athletic Conference regular season crown along with capturing the SAC Conference Tournament Championship.

His teams went on to win the SAC regular season title in 2022 and 2023, and SAC tournament championship in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

During his time at LU, Wright’s players conference accomplishments include 2 Players of the Year, 3 Newcomers of the Year, 2 Defensive Players of the Year, in addition to 6 players on the All SAC First Team, 3 players on the ALL SAC Second Team, 4 players on the All SAC Third Team, 6 All SAC Defense players and 1 All SAC Freshman. Nationally, five of his players achieved NAIA All-American status.

Most recently, during the 2025-26 season, the Langston University Lions achieved a 29-8 overall record, finishing as the runners-up in both the SAC regular season and conference tournaments and earning the Lions the 4 seed in the Liston quadrant of the NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship Tournament. They battled through five other teams before eventually falling to Freed-Hardeman University in the national championship game 76-71.

“Over the past four years so many people have poured their blood, sweat and tears into transforming Langston University basketball into what it is now, one of the most successful programs at any level of college basketball,” Wright said. “I am beyond thankful to all of you that have played a role in this incredible transformation. Leaving LU has proven to be the most difficult decision I have ever made in my life. To say that I love this place is a vast understatement.

“Ally, Reece and I are forever grateful for our time here. You have touched our hearts and have forever changed our lives. This is not a goodbye, but a, ‘See you later.’ L’s up.”

The program boasted a 3.14 team GPA in the Fall 2025 semester and was named a recipient of the NABC’s Academic Excellence Award. For his efforts in 2022-23, Wright was named the John Hudson SAC Coach of the Year, the NAIA National Coach of the Year by Hoopdirt.com and the Jack Bennett Man of the Year, which exemplifies winning with integrity.

Langston University wishes Coach Wright and his family the best of luck in their future endeavors.

“Coach Wright’s influence elevated not only men’s basketball at Langston University, but the institution as a whole,” President Ruth Ray Jackson said. “The expertise and passion he brings to the game is matched only by his care for our players and for their success beyond the court. I am proud of the four incredible seasons led by Coach Wright and his staff, and we wish him continued success at Alabama State.”

Graphic depicting three LU founders with the words and details for the event.

Langston University to celebrate Founders Week with ceremony, celebrations

Release Provided By Ellie Melero

Langston University is set to celebrate 129 years since its founding with a week of ceremonies and celebrations in Langston and Tulsa. The events will include musical performances, the annual Founders Day Program and an Inaugural Founders Week Celebration Gala.

The Langston University Department of Music will present The Chamber Collective musical performance on Tuesday, March 10. This collection of small ensembles will feature both choral and instrumental performances. The event will be held in the I.W. Young Auditorium on the Langston Campus at 6:30 p.m.

The annual Founders Day Program will be held at the I.W. Young Auditorium on the Langston Campus at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 12. The theme for this year’s program is “Honoring Our Past, Empowering Our Promise,” and the featured speaker will be Dr. Tiffany Crutcher, Founder and Executive Director of the Terence Crutcher Foundation.

Dr. Cruther is an alumna of Langston University, and she is a nationally recognized justice advocate, community leader and social impact advisor. As Founder and Executive Director of the Terence Crutcher Foundation, she leads transformative initiatives focused on public safety, criminal justice reform, economic mobility and community healing. She also serves as a Founding Board Member of Justice for Greenwood, Senior Advisor to Black Tech Street and Advisor to Roc Nation’s United Justice Coalition.

Langston University will end the week with the Inaugural Founders Week Celebration Gala in Tulsa on Saturday, March 14.

The Founders Week Celebration Gala, a black-tie optional event, will include a formal dinner, awards presentation and live music. There will also be a special presentation to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling program, which has since spurred the creation of a bachelor’s program, the formation of the Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, the establishment of two federally funded Rehabilitation Research Training Centers, and the creation of a post-doctoral research program.

The Chamber Collective and annual Founders Day Program are free and open to the public. The Founders Week Celebration Gala is a ticketed event. Tickets can be purchased online at langston.edu/founders-week through Friday, March 6.

LUSB students and faculty sit at desks in a classroom

Langston University School of Business students score in the Top 1% in Peregrine Outbound Business Exam for second semester in a row

Release Provided By Ellie Melero

by Gerard Lewis, Public Relations Intern

For the second consecutive assessment cycle, Langston University School of Business (LUSB) seniors scored in the top 1% nationally on the rigorous Peregrine Outbound Business Exam.

LUSB’s graduating seniors performed nearly 20 percentage points above national Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Program (ACBSP) benchmarks on the Peregrine Outbound Business Exam for Fall 2025 in a fully proctored classroom setting and under stricter testing conditions than in the spring. This performance follows LUSB graduates’ success on the Peregrine exam in Spring 2025.

Dr. Daryl Green, Dean of LUSB, said the students’ success reflects the hard work of the faculty and the students’ remarkable resilience.

“For the Fall 2025 term, our business seniors once again ranked in the top tier nationally on the Peregrine Outbound Business Exam,” Dr. Green said. “This time, under fully proctored, in-class conditions. Their average score of approximately 78.6% closely aligns with our Spring 2025 results, which were taken online and unproctored. This consistency confirms the integrity and authenticity of our students’ learning outcomes.”

Every year, graduating business students take the Peregrine Outbound Business Exam, a rigorous assessment administered by over 500 colleges and universities around the world. The exam evaluates students’ mastery across core business disciplines such as finance, economics, management, marketing and business ethics.

LUSB graduates excelled in several core disciplinary areas.

In Information Management Systems, graduates averaged 84%, which is significantly higher than the national benchmark. In Economics, graduates averaged in the low-mid 80s, which is about 20 points above ACBSP norms. In Quantitative Research & Statistics, students averaged 81%. In Legal Environment, students scored in the low 80s, outperforming most of their regional peers. In Marketing & Finance, students scored in the high 70s.

Ashley Dillard, director of Client Solutions at Peregrine Global Services, commended LUSB’s performance over the past two semesters.

“Langston University demonstrates an exceptional commitment to the growth,” Dillard said. “At Peregrine, we partner with many institutions focused on continuous improvement, and it is gratifying to collaborate with leaders like Dean Green who are deeply dedicated to the advancement of their students and academic programs.”

LUSB has made several strides to improve student learning outcomes and increase educational opportunities in recent years. Some of their recent accomplishments include increasing LUSB enrollment by more than 20% since 2024; partnering with Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business to launch a 4+1 program for LU students to earn master’s degrees; and hosting national events such as the HUxPNC Entrepreneurship Summit.

Langston University remains committed to providing high-quality educational opportunities for Oklahoma and beyond. Anyone interested in applying for LUSB, or any other LU program, can apply online at langston.edu/apply-now.

Dr. Alonzo Peterson, Senator Nikki Nice and Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson pose for a photo in front of a photo of Bessie Coleman

Langston University joins Sen. Nikki Nice, Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics to celebrate Bessie Coleman Week

Release Provided By Ellie Melero

Langston University will join Sen. Nikki Nice and the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics as they celebrate the life and legacy of LU alumna Bessie Coleman during Bessie Coleman Week from Jan. 26-30.

The celebrations will include an LU alumni reception followed by a community celebration on Jan. 28.

“Langston University is honored to stand with Sen. Nikki Nice and the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics to celebrate the legacy of our alumna, Bessie Coleman,” President Ruth Ray Jackson said. “Though her time at Langston was brief, her determination and trailblazing spirit continue to inspire our students to pursue STEM and other historically underrepresented fields.”

Bessie Coleman came to Oklahoma from Texas in 1910 to attend Langston University, which was then the Oklahoma Colored Agricultural and Normal University. Although she could only afford to attend for one semester, she left her mark on the university and the state. She went on to attend flight school in France to earn her pilot’s license, and she became the first Black woman to earn a pilot’s license.

Coleman became a stunt flier, and she was known for her daring tricks. People came from all over to watch “Queen Bess” perform in air shows. She died tragically in a plane crash at 34 years old on April 30, 1926.

A century later, Coleman’s story still inspires young people to pursue their education, particularly in the STEM fields. The planned celebrations are intended to honor Coleman’s legacy, share her story, and promote STEM education in Oklahoma.

“As Oklahoma’s HBCU and a proud land‑grant institution, we remain committed to expanding educational access and strengthening STEM pathways for the communities we serve,” Dr. Jackson said. “It is a privilege to honor Bessie Coleman’s remarkable story and share her enduring impact with the people of Oklahoma and beyond.”

The Bessie Coleman Community Celebration and Aviation Conversation will be held Jan. 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Metro Tech Spring Lake Conference Center in Oklahoma City. The event is free and open to the public, and space can be reserved at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bessie-coleman-centennial-community-celebration-and-aviation-conversation-tickets-1980203909198?aff=oddtdtcreator.

There will be a private reception for Langston University alumni before the Community Celebration beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Photograph of LU-OKC Campus exterior near entranceway

Langston University receives $3.125 million in grants to support rehabilitation programs, student scholarships

Release Provided By Ellie Melero

OKLAHOMA CITY–Langston University’s Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies earned $3.125 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Education to support the university’s rehabilitation programs, including funding 96 full-tuition scholarships over the next five years.

The department has been awarded three grants; one is from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS), and two are from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).

The first grant, funded through the RSA and totaling $1 million over five years, will establish a specialized Pre-Employment Transition Services to Youth with Mental Disabilities track within the department’s master’s program for Rehabilitation Counseling. This will include funding the tuition, fees and a living stipend for 30 graduate students over five years.

The second grant, worth $1.25 million and funded by OSERS, will establish a new track within the undergraduate Rehabilitation Services bachelor’s degree program. The new track will be School-to-Work: Preparing Personnel to Serve School-Age Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and the grant will fund the tuition, fees and a living stipend for 36 undergraduate students over the next five years.

The last grant is from the RSA and will pay out $875,000 over five years. This grant will establish another new track within the Rehabilitation Services program: Pre-Employment Transition Services to Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (including Autism). It will fund 30 undergraduate scholarships over the next five years, which will include tuition, fees and a living stipend.

“Langston University is honored to receive this transformative investment from the U.S. Department of Education,” said President Ruth Ray Jackson. “These three grants reflect our unwavering commitment to preparing highly qualified professionals who will serve youth with mental, intellectual, and developmental disabilities.

“I commend Dr. Corey Moore and the Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies for their leadership in advancing inclusive education and workforce development. This funding strengthens our mission as a land-grant institution and expands access to high-impact academic programs that meet urgent national needs.”

Dr. Corey Moore is the Founding Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies.

Undergraduate students interested in the Rehabilitation Services program who wish to apply for the scholarships within either track must have completed at least 41 hours of general education courses prior to applying. Interested individuals should contact Professor Emanual Lewis, the Rehabilitation Services Program Coordinator at LU-Tulsa, via phone at 918-902-3184 or via email at emanual.lewis@langston.edu.

Graduate students interested in the new track within the Rehabilitation Counseling program should contact Dr. Andre Washington, the Rehabilitation Counseling Program Coordinator at LU-OKC, via phone at 405-530-7525 or via email at andre.washington@langston.edu to apply for scholarships.

“The awarding of these grants, especially three at the same time, speaks to the relevance and value of the work being done here at Langston University in the Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies,” said Dr. Elizabeth Albright, Interim Dean of the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences. “These scholarships enhance what Langston University already does to support students through degree completion. By providing financial support, not only are students able to graduate without adding debt, but they will be stronger in their field because their primary focus can be school.”

LU’s Rehabilitation Counseling graduate program is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and it was recently ranked by U.S. News and World Report as a Top 20 rehabilitation graduate program in the nation. Accredited through CACREP, the graduate program has also birthed two Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTC) that are both funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research.

These new grant projects present an exceptional approach to student development through LU’s partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, Tulsa Public Schools and other local education agencies. Significant attention will be devoted to cross-fertilizing these academic initiatives and ongoing RRTC trainings to increase students’ knowledge of the delivery and transition of mental health and developmental disability support services to school-age children and youth.

The goal is to improve the supply of fully credentialed rehabilitation, mental health and disability professionals for employment in local educational and/or rehabilitation agencies.

“These innovative federally funded educational initiatives are critical for training and preparing our undergraduate and graduate students within the department to help meet the demands of human service systems addressing the current national youth mental health crisis as well as the pre-employment service support needs of school-age children and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities” said Dr. Moore, the Founding Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies and project director for all three grants.

The OSERS priority focuses on personnel preparation for special education, early intervention and related services personnel at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally controlled colleges and universities, and other minority-serving institutions. The RSA priorities are consistent with the purpose of the Rehabilitation Long-Term Training program, which is to provide financial assistance for academic training areas of personnel shortages in vocational rehabilitation.

These funded initiatives at Langston University are in direct response to identified needs in personnel development, as well as to improve services and outcomes for school-age children and youth with mental, intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Langston University professor wins 2025 National Rehabilitation Association’s Bobbie Atkins Distinguished Research Award

Release Provided By Ellie Melero

OKLAHOMA CITY––Dr. Corey Moore, a Professor and the Founding Chair of the Langston University Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, received the 2025 Bobbie Atkins Distinguished Research Award from the National Rehabilitation Association at their national conference on Oct. 1.

The award, named after prominent rehabilitation researcher Dr. Bobbie J. Atkins, is a recognition of quality research from individuals or organizations which has an impact on improving services to people with disabilities. Dr. Moore was recognized for his distinguished record of research and publications, which have had a particularly strong impact on those with the most significant support needs.

“Dr. Atkins was truly a trailblazer and a giant in our field,” Dr. Moore said. “I proudly stand on her shoulders and carry her legacy of research in disability and rehabilitation.”

In addition to his roles as a professor and department chair, Dr. Moore serves as Founding Executive Director at the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Research and Capacity Building for Minority Entities and the RRTC on Advancing Employment Equity for Multiply Marginalized People with Disabilities, both at Langston University. In these roles, he has shown a long-standing commitment to research leadership and advocacy in the field of disability and rehabilitation.

He has also served as the principal investigator on twenty-three different research, training and service grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education, which total over $33 million. He is an author or co-author on over 90 peer-reviewed articles published in refereed professional trade journals, monographs and policy briefs.

In addition to his exemplary record of research and publications, his expertise has been recognized at the highest levels, as evidenced by his past appointments to federal agency bodies, including the advisory committee for the director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Dr. Moore’s work continues to have a profound impact on the field as it helps shape policy, professional practice and academic scholarship.

In accepting this award, Dr. Moore acknowledged the contributions of all core RRTC investigators, official collaborators and mentors from various institutions, and he thanked Langston University President Ruth Ray Jackson and her administration for their ongoing strong support.

To learn more about the LU-RRTC, please visit langston.edu/capacitybuilding-rrtc or call toll-free at (855) 497-5598.

Langston University signs MOU with Oklahoma State University to create 4+1 pathway for business students

Release Provided By Ellie Melero

Langston University’s School of Business and Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a new 4+1 Business Degree Pathway.

This agreement provides Langston University students majoring in Business the opportunity to complete both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just five years, streamlining their path toward advanced business leadership and analytics careers.

Through this partnership, qualified Langston University students can seamlessly transition into OSU’s Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Business Analytics and Data Science (MS BAnDS), Master of Management Information Systems (MS MIS), Master of Quantitative Finance (MSQF), and Master of Hospitality and Tourism Management (MS HTM) programs. Students will have access to graduate-level coursework during their senior year, allowing them to accelerate their graduate degree completion while saving time and money.

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to creating academic pathways that strengthen Oklahoma’s business and innovation ecosystem,” said Dr. Daryl Green, dean of the School of Business at Langston University. “It gives our students a competitive advantage in pursuing high-demand careers in business, analytics and leadership.”

The collaboration further aligns with Langston University’s mission to provide transformative educational opportunities and expand graduate pathways for underrepresented students in business and technology disciplines.

“We’re excited to partner with Langston University to create this 4+1 pathway for their business students,” said Dr. Jim Payne, dean of Spears Business. “Our campuses are just 20 miles apart, and this kind of collaboration strengthens Oklahoma’s workforce by providing more students with access to advanced business education. We look forward to welcoming Langston students into our graduate programs and helping them build successful careers in business.”

LU students wishing to take advantage of these new pathways must be juniors with at least 90 undergraduate hours completed at the time of applying. All students must take the GMAT exam and complete OSU’s standard graduate school application found at grad.okstate.edu/apply.

Interested participants will meet with their LU advisor to complete a general eligibility screening and discuss next steps. After meeting with their LU advisor, they will need to set up an appointment with a Spears advisor for their program of interest. Their advisors will help them navigate the process of applying to the master’s program early at OSU, and they will be equipped with timelines for the next available semester.

For more information about Langston University’s School of Business, visit langston.edu/academics/school/business. For more information about the Spears School of Business, visit spears.okstate.edu.

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Langston University is Oklahoma’s HBCU. Made up of six academic schools, LU provides students with a world-class education that includes hands-on learning through impactful research and beneficial internships. The Langston University School of Business (LUSB) prides itself on producing change agents in the world of business. Nationally accredited by the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), LUSB offers more than 10 degree programs that prepare graduates to jumpstart their career goals. In 2025, LUSB graduates ranked in the top 1% nationally on the Peregrine Business Exam.

Emboldened by its motto “the Power of Personal,” Spears Business prepares students in an environment where human connections are paramount and academic excellence is strengthened by interpersonal prowess. The results speak for themselves, as U.S. News & World report ranked Spears Business No. 8 for its online bachelor’s programs and No. 11 for its online MBA, while Fortune listed its MS BAnDS program No. 2 in the country behind only Harvard University. With 6,744 students, Spears Business is the largest college on the OSU campus.