Category: Press Release

Langston University employees, alumnae honored at 14th annual Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame

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Langston University employees and alumnae were honored at the Fourteenth Annual Ceremony and Banquet of the Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame on Friday, Sept. 26.

The honorees included recent Langston University retiree Dr. John K. Coleman, alumna Mrs. Carolyn Gay Harris, alumna Dr. Jolly Henderson Meadows, and former Langston University professor Dr, Melvin B. Tolson, who was honored posthumously.

Dr. John K. Coleman

Dr. Coleman attended LU from 1961-65, graduating with honors and earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Mathematics. He continued his education at the University of Oklahoma, where he earned his Ph.D. in Theoretical Physical Chemistry in 1976 and completed post-doctoral studies in 1978. After some time away, Dr. Coleman returned to Langston University in 1993 at the request of the late President Ernest Holloway to serve as the Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences.

Over the past three decades, Dr. Coleman not only served as chair of the Department of Chemistry, but his impact also extended beyond academic metrics. For generations of Langston University students, he has been a mentor, advocate and example – a leader who never stopped believing in the transformative power of education. Many of his former students are now faculty members at Langston University in the Chemistry or Biology Departments, shaping new generations in the same spirit he so faithfully modeled.

Dr. Coleman was appointed the interim dean of the School of Arts and Sciences in 2023, and he retired at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 school year.

Mrs. Carolyn Gay Harris

Mrs. Harris joined Langston University as a majorette in the Marching Pride, which was known at the time as the Langston Lions Band. Her time at Langston University was marked by academic achievement as she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, laying a foundation for her future career in education. Pursuing further academic excellence, she completed a Master of Education degree at the University of Central Oklahoma in 1974.

Mrs. Harris began her professional journey at Spencer High School in Spencer, Oklahoma, where she taught for five years. Her commitment to shaping young minds extended to middle school classrooms for six years, and thereafter to administrative roles as both elementary and middle school principal for another six years. Her dedication and expertise culminated in her leadership as an elementary school principal for a remarkable 16 years. These decades of service reflect a career that spanned a total of 33 years, during which she touched the lives of countless students, faculty members and families.

Dr. Jolly Henderson Meadows

Dr. Meadows earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1974 from Langston University, followed by a Master of Education degree in Reading from Northeastern State University in 1979. She obtained a Master of Education degree in Leadership from Northeastern in 1986 and her Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Oklahoma State University in 1997.

Dr. Meadows began her 51-year career in education at Liberty Elementary in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. She joined Tulsa Public Schools in 1975 when she accepted a teaching position at Riley Elementary School, and she was appointed assistant principal at Patrick Henry Elementary School in 1986. After two years she was appointed principal – a position she held for 23 years. In 2006, Tulsa Public Schools took notice of the impressive academic growth Patrick Henry Elementary School showed under Dr. Meadows’ tenure and assigned her to Monroe Middle School. She was transferred to Gilcrest Middle School in 2007.

As an administrator, Dr. Meadows was known for utilizing innovative and reliable programs with proven outcomes to achieve academic gains. She employed a collaborative approach to empower teachers to become leaders, to disaggregate test data and to research supplemental instructional materials. She retired from Tulsa Public Schools in 2009 and worked as an adjunct professor of urban education in the undergraduate and graduate programs at Langston University–Tulsa. She accepted a full-time position as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Education at the University of Tulsa.

Dr. Meadows is also the vice president of the Langston University National Alumni Association-Tulsa Chapter (2021-present).

Dr. Melvin D. Tolson

Dr. Tolson taught English and speech at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, for nearly two decades. In addition to teaching English, he established an award-winning debate team, the Wiley Forensic Society, which became a pioneer in interracial collegiate debates. Beginning in 1930, the team debated against law students from the University of Michigan in Chicago. In 1931, the team participated in the first known interracial collegiate debate in the South against Oklahoma City University. This is the story that inspired the film “The Great Debaters,” starring Denzel Washington.

Dr. Tolson took a sabbatical from teaching in 1930 to study for a master’s degree at Columbia University in New York City. His thesis project, “The Harlem Group of Negro Writers,” was based on his extensive interviews with members of the Harlem Renaissance, which inspired him to write “A Gallery of Harlem Portraits,” his first major work.

In 1947, Dr. Tolson relocated to Langston University, where he taught English, drama, and was a dramatist and director of the Dust Bowl Theater. Students described Tolson as eccentric, driven, fearless and radical. It was not unusual for him to stand on top of a desk and jump off to engage and challenge students during lectures. While at Langston University, Dr. Tolson was elected to multiple terms as mayor of Langston City.

Dr. Tolson’s career in education at the collegiate level spanned 43 years. He died in Dallas, Texas, on Aug. 29, 1966, and is buried in Guthrie, Oklahoma. His award was accepted by Dr. Cindy Ross, Chair of the LU Department of English and Foreign Languages in the School of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Jackson speaks at a podium in full academic regalia

“The Opportunity of Now:” President Jackson celebrates Langston University’s successes, reflects on impact at Opening Convocation

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Langston University had a lot to celebrate at its Opening Convocation Ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 4.

From national test scores to athletic achievements, President Ruth Ray Jackson highlighted numerous ways in which Langston University students, faculty, staff and alumni have achieved success over the past year during her State of the University address. She also called on the university community to look forward to the great things to come.

“Today, we stand at the threshold of a year filled with promise,” Dr. Jackson said. “We come together to recommit ourselves to the ideals of learning, discovery and service. And we recognize that this moment—the opportunity of now—is a gift we must not take for granted.”

The Class of 2025 took advantage of the opportunities Dear Langston provided them.

Recent biology graduate Daysha Isaac received national accolades while at LU, earning a Scientific Merit Award at the National IDeA Biomedical Research Excellence Conference in 2024.

Graduates from the School of Business scored in the Top 1% nationally on the Peregrine Outbound Business Exam. Graduates from the School of Physical Therapy earned a 100% pass rate on their licensing exams and a 100% post-graduation placement rate, continuing a long-standing pattern of success from Oklahoma’s first accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy program. For the fifth year in a row, graduates from the Department of Computer Science have also earned a 100% post-graduation placement rate.

LU students have had success in extracurriculars and cocurriculars as well.

Lady Lions basketball team cheers as they hoist the SAC Championship trophy
The Lady Lions Basketball Team won both the 2025 SAC regular season and tournament championships, the first historically black college or university to win the titles on the women’s side.

The Lady Lions Basketball Team won both the 2025 SAC regular season and tournament championships, the first historically black college or university to win the titles on the women’s side. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams made it to the Round of 16 in the NAIA national tournament this past March.

Seventy-eight student athletes were named to the SAC Commissioners Hall of Fame.

In August, the Marching Pride Band competed in the Pepsi National Battle of the Bands in Houston as well as the HBCU Labor Day Classic Battle of the Bands in Mississippi. In September, the Marching Pride will perform at the Kansas City Chiefs’ season opener against the Philidelphia Eagles.

“These achievements across academics, athletics and the arts reflect the spirit of Langston: determination, creativity and excellence,” Dr. Jackson said. “They show us what is possible when talent meets the opportunity of now.”

Perhaps among the university’s proudest achievements over the past year has been its success in the research field.

Langston University was recognized as a Research College/University (RCU) by the Carnegie Classification of Higher Education Institutions, one of only 216 institutions in the nation to receive this classification.

The university earned its RCU status thanks to the hard work of its passionate faculty, staff and student researchers. From aquaponics and artificial intelligence to horticulture and drone-based livestock management, Langston University conducts a variety of impactful research.

Langston University’s extensive research projects and numerous opportunities for student research involvement have contributed to the success of the university’s science, technology engineering and math (STEM) programs. LU’s STEM programs have not only outpaced national retention rates, but they have grown by 112% in recent years.

“Langston’s impact is broadening thanks to faculty who teach, mentor, and research with passion and purpose,” Dr. Jackson said.

Langston University President Ruth Ray Jackson (left) and Arkansas Colleges of Health Education Assistant Provost and Director of DEI Christopher Smith sign an education agreement creating the Early Assurance Program.
Langston University President Ruth Ray Jackson (left) and Arkansas Colleges of Health Education Assistant Provost and Director of DEI Christopher Smith sign an education agreement creating the Early Assurance Program.

A tenet of Dr. Jackson’s presidency has been to forge and strengthen partnerships between Langston University and organizations which work toward the same goals. To that end, working with groups such as Tinker Air Force Base, the Wm Conrad Veterans Memorial Gardens and OG&E provide LU students with opportunities for internships, scholarships and professional development. A recent partnership with the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education created new pathways for LU students preparing to study occupational therapy in graduate school.

The university has recently made several investments in its facilities and programs with the goal of providing students, faculty and staff with better environments that will promote the continuation of LU’s academic, extracurricular and research success.

The university has invested millions of dollars in heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades across the Langston Campus. It has also invested in a complete roof replacement at the Oklahoma City Campus, and it is working to increase its program offering at the Tulsa Campus.

“These investments are not just about bricks and mortar,” Dr. Jackson said. “They are about creating the best possible learning environment for our students and working environment for our employees — places where excellence can thrive.”

As Dr. Jackson reflected on Langston University’s successes this past year, she also reflected on the importance of Dear Langston as Oklahoma’s HBCU and an 1890 land-grant institution.

As part of its land-grant mission, Langston University trains teachers who will shape the next generation, reaches out to underserved communities through health programs, contributes to Oklahoma’s economy through business and technology, enriches culture and preserves history through the arts and humanities, and uses research to solve problems and improve the lives of families and communities.

Dr. Jackson charged the students, faculty, staff and alumni to embrace “the opportunity of now” and continue to strive for success.

“Being a land-grant university means we don’t keep knowledge to ourselves,” Dr. Jackson said. “We teach, we research and we share so that the work we do here makes life better far beyond our campuses.

“Langston University is not only Oklahoma’s HBCU—we are a nationally recognized and respected institution. And this year, we will once again prove that the best of Langston is still ahead.”

a group photo of faculty, alumni and students showing an "L's Up"

Langston University Cooperative Extension and Outreach Program makes plans to expand services to 48 Oklahoma counties in 2026

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LANGSTON, Okla.––Thanks to the efforts of the Oklahoma Legislature to fully match Langston University’s Evans-Allen federal funding, the LU Cooperative Extension and Outreach Program (CEOP) is preparing to expand its services to two new counties while increasing its program offerings in counties it already serves.
With the additions of Woodward and Johnston Counties, CEOP will offer extension programs in 48 of the 77 counties in Oklahoma. CEOP’s programs offer vital services to these communities, providing resources in areas ranging from family and youth development to a wide range of food and agricultural support. Dr. Roger Merkel, Associate Extension Administrator for CEOP, said that by expanding its services, CEOP seeks to fulfill its mission of advancing the well-being of Oklahomans and fostering resilient, thriving communities across the state.
“The Cooperative Extension and Outreach Program of the Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences is committed to serving the citizens of Oklahoma by promoting improved quality of life, enhancing agricultural and business productivity, and fostering community development,” Dr. Merkel said. “Central to the mission of Extension is the cultivation of meaningful human connections. Extension educators prioritize the establishment of respectful, supportive relationships that yield measurable, positive outcomes in the communities they serve.”
The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) fully matched Langston University’s Evans-Allen federal funding for the first time in FY 2025, and ODAFF made strides to maintain the full match for FY 2026 by increasing CEOP’s state funding. Thanks to this full funding match, CEOP is strategically expanding its services throughout Oklahoma through investments in essential resources such as personnel, transportation, technology, program supplies, professional development opportunities and other forms of operational support.
With enhanced resources, the program intends to both broaden existing initiatives and implement new, impactful activities. Anticipated outcomes include:
This expansion effort is one of the ways in which Langston University aims to broaden its impact in Oklahoma through its land-grant mission.
“Langston University is grateful for its enhanced funding,” said Dr. Wesley Whittaker, Dean of the Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. “Consumers, producers and industry professionals recognize that funding for agricultural extension and research in Oklahoma creates value on many levels. It helps to develop new revenue streams for farmers and ranchers, expand value-added products, encourage diversified agricultural practices and strengthen the competitiveness of Oklahoma agriculture.
“Our dedicated team is energized and ready to do all that is necessary to ensure impactful outcomes from our work.”

American R&B band Con Funk Shun to perform at Langston University’s 20th Annual President’s Scholarship Gala

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The R&B funk icon group Con Funk Shun will perform at Langston University’s 20th Annual President’s Scholarship Gala on October 10 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

The President’s Scholarship Gala is Langston University’s largest student scholarship fundraiser of the year. The highly anticipated event always features amazing performances from talented artists, and the LU President’s Scholarship Gala Committee has booked Con Funk Shun to perform at this year’s Gala.

Con Funk Shun was originally comprised of eight gifted musicians who were hand selected by founder Michael Cooper. Their current lineup includes three original members, Michael Cooper, Felton Pilate, and Karl Fuller, as well as the talents of Kurt “KC” Clayton, Ron Moton, Aaron Green, Rene Escovedo, and Brian LaTour.

Initially known as Project Soul, Con Funk Shun has been pleasing fans for over five decades. Originating in Vallejo, CA, the band found a home in Memphis, TN. During the 1970s, they backed Stax recording artist the Soul Children as well as Rufus Thomas on his Golden Globe nominated Wattstax Benefit Concert and Documentary.

Inspired by the group Nite-Liters’ song, the group renamed itself Con Funk Shun and soon drew the attention of Mercury Records. Their debut album featured their first single “Sho’ Feels Good To Me.” Throughout their career, Con Funk Shun has released a total of 11 albums and eight top ten Billboard hits including the No. 1 hit single “Ffun,” “Chase Me,” “Shake & Dance,” “Baby I’m Hooked,” and more.

Their fan favorite song, “Love’s Train” from their Gold album “To the Max” was never released as a single. However, 40 years later, the supergroup Silk Sonic’s rendition topped the charts, helping that duo (Bruno Mars & Anderson Paak) win a BET Album of the Year Award.

Con Funk Shun can proudly claim to be one of the only R&B Funk bands that has three members with honorary doctorate degrees – Ron Moton (2018), Michael Cooper (2022) and Felton Pilate (2022). Dr. Cooper and Dr. Pilate have also received US Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards for their contribution to music and humanitarian efforts.

Business students sit at desks

Langston University business students rank Top 1% nationally on Peregrine Business Exam

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Graduating seniors from the Langston University School of Business (LUSB) scored in the 99th percentile nationally on the rigorous Peregrine Outbound Business Exam, outperforming more than 83,000 students across the United States.

The LUSB Class of 2025 posted an average score of 80.13% on the exam, far outperforming the national average of 61.34% and putting their scores in the Top 1% nationally. LUSB students achieved top marks across all core business disciplines, including finance, economics, strategic management, marketing and business ethics.

“This is not just an academic win; it’s a statement,” said Dr. Daryl Green, Dean of LUSB. “It proves that with the right approach, our students, many of whom are first-generation college students, can compete and dominate nationally.”

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.

The Class of 2025’s success on the exam is a reflection of LUSB’s innovative curriculum and expert faculty.

LUSB recently restructured its capstone course “MG 4703: Strategy & Policy.” Co-taught by Dr. Green and Dr. Charles Mambula, the class was reimagined with an emphasis on student ownership and practical engagement. The class incorporates team-based learning, self-designed study sessions and student-led instruction, all of which led to positive learning outcomes.

Outside the capstone, LUSB continues to distinguish itself with a faculty of experienced industry professionals who bring real-world expertise into every classroom. Students receive close mentorship, professional coaching and leadership development from the start of their first year.

“Our students aren’t just preparing for jobs,” Dr. Green said. “They’re preparing to launch their ventures, lead organizations and build communities. Our students think like entrepreneurs, act like consultants, and grow as leaders. That mindset is baked into every course we teach.”

In 2023, Langston University was named one of the Best HBCUs for Entrepreneurship by BestColleges.com, thanks in part to its Master of Entrepreneurial Studies program and its student-centered business culture. The Class of 2025’s test scores are another testament to LU’s HBCU excellence.

“We believe in turning raw talent into polished excellence,” Dr. Green said. “That’s the Langston way. And this exam result is proof that our approach is working.”

Marching Pride Drum Majors do the splits during a Marching Pride performance

Langston University Marching Pride to compete on national stage at multiple “Battles of the Bands” this fall

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The Langston University Marching Pride Band has once again earned its place on the national stage as it was invited to compete in three “Battle of the Bands” this fall, including the 2025 Pepsi National Battle of the Bands.

The Marching Pride is an elite and celebrated ensemble consistently ranked among the Top 10 HBCU Division II bands, and it will be one of eight Historically Black College or University (HBCU) bands competing in the Pepsi National Battle of the Bands in Houston on Aug. 22-24. This will be their third time participating in the Pepsi National Battle of the Bands; they made their last appearance in 2023.

“The students put in a whole lot of hard work,” said LU’s Director of Bands Dr. Mark Gordon. “From dancing to playing to keeping time, we do stuff that a lot of people can’t do. Not everyone can play the horn and dance and mark time and stay in sync all at the same time.”

The Pepsi National Battle of the Bands was established in 2014 as a celebration of HBCU musical excellence, cultural pride and community engagement. Gordon plans to take between 260-300 students to Houston to compete alongside bands from Alabama A&M University, Albany State University, Florida A&M University, Jackson State University, North Carolina A&T State University, Prairie View A&M University and Texas Southern University.

The Marching Pride will compete against many of these bands again a week later in the HBCU Labor Day Classic Battle of the Bands in Jackson, Mississippi.

Established in 2016, the HBCU Labor Day Classic will bring together the Top 10 HBCU Bands from across the country for an exciting competition that will exhibit the rich traditions of HBCU musical excellence. This year, that lineup will include Langston University, Jackson State University, Alabama A&M University, Alcorn State University, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Southern University, Alabama State University, Grambling State University, Talladega College and Mississippi Valley State University.

Following the Langston University football season opener against Grambling State University in Shreveport, Louisiana, on Aug. 30, the Marching Pride will load their buses and head to Mississippi to compete on Aug. 31. This will be their first time participating in the HBCU Labor Day Classic.

On Sept. 28, the Marching Pride will hit the road again for Wake Up Crank Up, a battle of the bands fundraiser in Dallas, where they will again face Grambling State University, Texas Southern University, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff and Alcorn State University. This fundraiser will feature both collegiate and high school bands.

“These are good experiences for the students,” Gordon said. “It gives them some publicity, and it also gives them a chance to travel and see the world.”

The Marching Pride Band has earned a reputation for excellence with performances on national stages such as the Pepsi National Battle of the Bands, the Honda Battle of the Bands, and multiple NBA halftime shows. The band has also shared the stage with popular performers like David Hollister and Lizzo, and it regularly participates in popular events like New Orleans Mardi Gras parades.

The Marching Pride has experienced exponential growth tied to its national success over the past few years. When Gordon took over as band director in 2019, the band only had 45 students. Now the band has over 300 students from a variety of backgrounds, including dozens of international students who come to Langston University just to participate in the band. The band members are dedicated to their studies, and many of them earn GPAs of 3.0 and above. The band also boasts the second highest retention rate for any student group at the university.

You can learn more about the Marching Pride Band at https://langston.edu/department-of-music/marching-pride and you can donate to band scholarships at https://lufoundation.givingfuel.com/langston-university-annual-giving-campaign.

Chelle Luper Wilson standing on a balcony in the Texas Capitol Building.

LU Alumna Named Texas Legislative Black Caucus Executive Director

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AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Legislative Black Caucus Chairwoman Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (D120) and the Texas Legislative Black Caucus announce Chelle Luper Wilson as Executive Director.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chelle Luper Wilson to the Texas Legislative Black Caucus (TLBC). As a leader focused on effective change, Ms. Wilson is dedicated to assisting the TLBC reach greater heights and fully supporting the TLBC’s top priorities moving forward,” said Texas Legislative Black Caucus Chairwoman Representative Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (D120).

Ms. Luper Wilson brings to the role a wealth of experience. In addition to her professional experience, she is an extraordinary communicator who brings great passion to this important work. Additionally, her professional background held in some of the nation’s largest advocacy organizations are a big asset to TLBC.

A third-generation HBCU graduate, Ms. Luper Wilson holds a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from HBCU Langston University, a M.A. in Multicultural Women’s and Gender Studies from Texas Woman’s University, where she is also a third-year doctoral student in the department of Language, Culture and Gender.

“I have been engaged in political advocacy my entire life and have seen up close and personal the tremendous leadership and impact TLBC has here at the state capitol and across the great state of Texas. As we write the next chapter of the TLBC story in this unique time in history, I am excited for the opportunity to lend my experience and passion for supporting the collective vision and important work of this storied Caucus.” – Chelle Luper Wilson

A dedicated community advocate and trailblazer, Chelle is a former member of the National Board of Directors of the NAACP, member of the National CROWN Act Collective Strategic Partnership Council, American Heart Association National Diversity Leadership Council, former South Central Regional Director and International Secretary of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc®. She is also an active member of The Links, Inc., Jack & Jill of America, Inc., and the National Association of Black Journalists. Ms. Luper Wilson is the daughter of the late civil rights activist, Clara Luper.

“I have no doubt that the Texas Black Caucus Foundation will be in capable hands under her leadership,” said Senator Royce West (D23), Chairman of the Texas Black Caucus Foundation Board of Directors. “I warmly welcome Chelle Luper Wilson, and I look forward to working with her. She has the full support of the TBCF Board to carry out this critical leadership role.”

Ramunda Lark Young posed in front of bookshelves.

Langston University Announces 2025 Commencement Speaker: Ramunda Lark Young

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President Ruth Ray Jackson announced Wednesday that Ramunda Lark Young, an entrepreneur, community builder and owner of MahoganyBooks, will serve as the distinguished speaker for the 125th Commencement of Langston University on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., in W.E. Anderson Stadium.

A graduate of Langston University and a Tulsa native, Young founded MahoganyBooks with her husband, Derrick. MahoganyBooks is a nationally recognized and award-winning independent bookstore. It’s the premier destination for books written for, by and about people of African descent with physical locations in the historic Anacostia community of Washington, D.C., the National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and most recently, a footprint at National Airport.

At the helm of strategic partnerships, Young is instrumental in building the MahoganyBooks brand and deepening relationships with local and national authors, celebrity writers, corporations and community groups. She is passionate about amplifying Black voices and fostering a love of reading and cultural awareness. As a business leader, Young has grown MahoganyBooks into an essential space for dialogue, education and activism while creating intentional spaces for authors and readers to connect deeply with Black literature.

In addition to her work at MahoganyBooks, Young is a sought-after speaker on entrepreneurship, leadership and community engagement. Her dedication to service extends to empowering women and entrepreneurs through mentoring and advocacy. She currently serves as the Vice Chair of the DC Public Library Foundation, is an appointed commissioner for the Prince William County Human Rights Commission, and a 2024 Books Across Borders Fellow.

One of Young’s proudest moments was becoming a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. She is also an active alumna of her beloved HBCU, Langston University. Known for her astute leadership and authenticity, Young has been featured in various national publications such as ESSENCE, Vanity Fair, Black Enterprise and others. Her honors include Forbes Next 1000 honoree and the Root 100 list of most influential African Americans in the nation. Young continues to inspire change through her commitment to literacy, community and Black culture.

Langston University Rehabilitation Counseling Program Ranked Top 20 in Nation

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LANGSTON, Okla.––The Langston University Rehabilitation Counseling Program has been named one of the top 20 graduate rehabilitation counseling programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.

“This national ranking speaks to the quality of our faculty members’ and RRTC staff’s teaching, research and service impacts,” said Dr. Corey Moore, Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies and Executive Director of the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC). “Our nationally recognized faculty are indeed enhancing the academic acumen and brand of our programs and department through their strong commitment to the mission. This is truly a team effort.”

Langston University’s Rehabilitation Counseling Program was ranked 18th in the nation, a tie with Kent State University, Northern Illinois University, the University of Alabama, the University of South Florida and Winston Salem State University.

The rehabilitation counseling program was ranked above programs from the University of Arkansas, Mississippi State University, Florida Atlantic University and others.

“I am incredibly proud that Langston University’s Rehabilitation Counseling Program continues to be recognized among the top 20 in the nation and leads as one of the highest-ranked programs among HBCUs,” said Langston University President Ruth Ray Jackson. “This prestigious ranking is a testament to the unwavering dedication, expertise, and passion of Dr. Moore, our outstanding faculty, and the entire RRTC team.”

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

Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson is inaugurated as the 17th President of Langston University by Chancellor Sean Burrage, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson Formally Invested as 17th President of Langston University

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Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson embodied her chosen inauguration week theme, “Rooted in Pride, Rising with Purpose,” as she reflected on the great legacy of Langston University and committed herself to leading the university forward during her Investiture Ceremony on Friday afternoon.

“This day is more than an investiture,” Dr. Jackson said. “It is a reflection of our collective journey and shared purpose.”

The ceremony symbolized the president’s acceptance of the responsibilities and authority of the office, and it marked the official installment of Dr. Jackson as the 17th President of Langston University. It featured a grand processional in academic regalia by LU faculty and guests from visiting institutions, performances from both the LU Concert Band and LU Concert Choir, and congratulatory remarks from community members, elected officials and members of the higher education community.

Dr. Dana Williams, dean of the Graduate School and a professor of African American literature at Howard University, gave the keynote address.

The focal point of the ceremony was when Dr. Jackson took the oath of office and formally assumed the mantle of President of Langston University.

“The symbols of office for the President of Langston University serve as tangible representations of the authority, responsibility and service entrusted to this distinguished role,” said Dr. Alonzo Peterson, Vice President for Academic Affairs. “These symbols connect the legacy of Langston University to its future and reaffirm the enduring principles of leadership and scholarship.”

Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson speaks at her inauguration.
Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson gives remarks after accepting the Chain of Office and Presidential Mace.

Dr. Jackson accepted the Presidential Chain of Office and Presidential Mace. In accepting these items and taking the oath of office, she promised to uphold and preserve the mission and values of Langston University, to serve with integrity, and to lead with a commitment to academic excellence, student success and innovative research.

She reflected on the legacy and accomplishments of those who came before her, from the townspeople of Langston who raised the money to buy the land and open Langston University to more recent figures like Ada Sipuel Fisher and Clara Luper. Dr. Jackson acknowledged that as a Historically Black College or University, Dear Langston is not just a place where people learn but where they are also equipped to lead. She promised to be a tireless advocate for Langston University and other HBCUs, and she reiterated that her vision for her presidency includes continuous progress and strategic positioning for Langston University’s future.

The Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents appointed Dr. Jackson as president in April 2024 after she served as interim president for a year following the retirement of Dr. Kent Smith, 16th President of Langston University. Dr. Jackson had previously served as Vice President for Academic Affairs, Associate Vice President for Student Success, and Dean and professor for the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Jackson is the second woman to hold the title of President of Langston University.

“I accept this charge of leadership with deep gratitude and an unshakable resolve,” Dr. Jackson said. “Together, we will rise, we will lead, and we will ensure that Langston University’s legacy endures for generations to come.”