Category: Langston University

Langston University President, Dr. Kent J. Smith, Jr., and his family

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT, DR. KENT J. SMITH, JR., ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

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LANGSTON, Okla. – Langston University President, Dr. Kent J. Smith, Jr., announced today that he will retire as the institution’s 16th president at the end of the Spring semester in a message to the university community.

View President Smith’s message to the university here.

“My family and I have thoroughly enjoyed the years spent at Langston University,” said President Smith. “My children have grown up on our campuses. In fact, my youngest son’s middle name is Langston in honor of our great institution. We are blessed beyond measure to have been on this journey in service to our students and to the entire Langston University family.”

President Smith noted that his retirement from Langston University will conclude a 30-year career in education. He intends to follow his entrepreneurial pursuits as a business owner. “I have dreamt of building a legacy to leave for my five children and my grandson,” announced President Smith in his message. “I feel strongly that the time is right to begin a new chapter in my life.”

Dr. Kent J. Smith, Jr., took office as the 16th President of Langston University in June of 2012, following a long career as a higher education professional with an emphasis in student affairs. Dr. Smith brought a unique student-centered perspective to his role as President. Langston University has thrived under his leadership. He led the institution to many achievements and historic milestones. President Smith successfully led the University through multiple successful accreditations, administrative reorganizations, and budget reductions. Additional highlights from his presidential tenure include:

  • Cementing a modernized and unified brand for Langston University
  • Conservative fiscal leadership leading to healthy operating budgets and largest endowment in university history
  • Recruiting seven largest incoming freshmen classes in institutional history
  • Reimagining academic calendars for the benefit of students, employees, and their families
  • Navigation of the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on student wellness while avoiding the use of furloughs or reductions in staff
  • Negotiating the positive close to a long-standing Office of Civil Rights complaint involving the Langston University Tulsa Campus
  • Expansion of the Langston University – Tulsa Campus with $16.25 million in funding through Vision Tulsa economic development initiative
  • Renovation of the Student Success Center with $9 million in reserved budget to better serve students and our campus communities without taxing students
  • Securing the largest donations in university history including the donation of a permanent campus in Oklahoma City from Griffin Communications and the first named school from leading donor and alumnus, Sherman Lewis, to honor our School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
  • Creation of the first ever Campus Master Plan to serve as a road map for future development on the Langston Campus
  • Advocating for state match funding to fulfill requirements set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture in support of our students and programs in the Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
  • Forging new and countless partnerships supporting the success of students and employees

President Smith is regarded for his leadership and advocacy, serving on multiple local, statewide, and national boards including the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Board of Directors and 1890 Council of Presidents for the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities. In both roles, President Smith served as a stalwart advocate for Historically Black Colleges and Universities nationwide.

“We appreciate Dr. Kent Smith’s unwavering commitment to Langston University since he became President in 2012,” said Jarold Callahan, Chair of the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma A & M System. “As Regents, we express our gratitude to Dr. Smith for his focus on student success and his advocacy for the important role Langston University plays in Oklahoma and the nation. We wish Dr. Smith and his family only the best in his retirement.”

President Smith will work with the Board of Regents on a transition plan, including the launch of a national search for the next president of Langston University.

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY-TULSA ALLIED HEALTH FACILITY GRAND OPENING

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY-TULSA ALLIED HEALTH FACILITY GRAND OPENING

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TULSA, Okla. – Langston University commemorated the opening of a state-of-the-art Allied Health Facility on its Tulsa Campus with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held Wednesday.

The 17,000-square-foot building, home to the Langston University School of Nursing and Health Professions in Tulsa, was built through a $16.25 million allotment from Vision Tulsa. The facility includes simulation labs with mannikins powered by artificial intelligence, spacious classrooms, a lecture hall, conference and meeting rooms, and department and administrative office spaces.

Dr. Kent J. Smith, Jr., President of Langston University, opened the program with remarks recounting the journey to create the new facility. In 2015, Langston University proposed the construction of the facility to Tulsa City Council for consideration and inclusion in Vision Tulsa. “At the time of our proposal, the pandemic was still unknown to us,” Smith said. “The construction of this facility could not have been more timely. Our new facility provides the very best healthcare education to students interested in pursuing a career in nursing and health professions.”

The Langston University – Tulsa Allied Health Facility was built with three objectives in mind: to enhance access to education in Tulsa, to meet the needs of the healthcare workforce, and to reduce health disparities in North Tulsa.
The grand opening event was well attended by Langston University students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as members of the Tulsa community. Mayor G.T. Bynum congratulated Langston University for opening a facility, which provides a direct positive impact on the Tulsa community. “The new Allied Health Facility on the Langston University Tulsa campus will help prepare students to fill a workforce need in the Tulsa area,” said Mayor G.T. Bynum. “Thank you to Tulsa voters for approving Vision Tulsa that made this $16.25 million economic development project possible.”

Several notable community members attended the event to celebrate the grand opening. Tulsa City Councilwoman Vanessa Hall-Harper addressed the attendees at the event, remarking on the importance of funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities like Langston University. Partners who were instrumental in completing the project such as Beck Design, Flintco Construction, and Oklahoma State University Long Range Facilities Planning, were also in attendance.

Dr. Dytisha Davis, Executive Director for the Langston University – Tulsa Campus, was recognized for her leadership in the project, for which planning began in 2018. Dr. Teressa Hunter, Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions at Langston University, recognized the faculty and students for their support of the new facility and shared her thoughts on the importance of the project. “This new facility paves the way for current and future healthcare providers,” said Hunter. “It is poised to fulfill the legacy of Langston University as the promise-keepers, trailblazers, and guardians of the high standard built by Langston University School of Nursing graduates.”

President Smith announced his intension to name the new facility after former Tulsa City Councilman Jack Henderson, pending final approval by the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma A & M Colleges. “It cannot be understated how important Jack Henderson was to the success of this project,” said Smith. “He is a true champion for our mission and he made this project possible.”

The program included a formal ribbon cutting followed by tours of the new facility led by Langston University Nursing students and faculty.

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY CLEARS OVER $4.5 MILLION IN STUDENT BALANCES

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LANGSTON UNIVERSITY SUPPORTS STUDENTS BY CLEARING BALANCES THROUGH HEERF GRANT FUNDING
Langston University Office of Public Relations

LANGSTON, Okla. – Langston University announced it will clear student balances through the use of HEERF (Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund) grant for students enrolled in the Summer 2022, Fall 2022, and Spring 2023 academic terms. The debt cleared through this initiative totals $4,587,485.82, and will directly assist students by immediately paying off debt owed to the university. This is the second time Langston University has cleared student debt through the use of the grant. The first debt relief initiative occurred in August 2021.

“Throughout the pandemic, our institution has sought ways to lessen the burden and remove barriers to degree completion for our students,” said Langston University President Dr. Kent J. Smith, Jr. “We are excited for what this debt relief means to our students and to their families.”

This initiative will also eliminate balances for former students not currently enrolled at the institution as well as graduates who will now be cleared of any balance preventing them from receiving an official transcript, as long as they were enrolled in either the Summer 2022 or Fall 2022 semesters. There is no expectation or requirement for enrollment in a future semester to receive this benefit. This initiative will clear balances owed in tuition, fees, and fines. Students are still responsible for their federal, state, or private loans.

In addition to this transformational initiative, the Office of the Registrar will consider late applications for graduation due to the timing of this award.

The full letter from President Smith may be found at this link.

NBCU Academy Langston University graphic

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH NBCU ACADEMY

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By Jet Turner, Langston University Office of Public Relations

LANGSTON, Okla. – Langston University is proud to announce its new partnership with NBCU Academy. Since its inception in 2021, NBCU Academy partners have received funding, resources, training and development – in addition to access to the News Group’s world-class journalists. Langston University is the first institution within the state of Oklahoma to partner with NBCU Academy.

“We are excited to join the NBCU Academy,” said Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson, Vice President of Academic Affairs. “The access to resources accompanying this opportunity will be transformative in preparing our students. The curriculum support and professional development will enhance our talented faculty’s ability to develop a diverse pool of media professionals committed to solutions journalism.”

This partnership comes on the heels of Langston University’s announcement of its new home of journalism in Oklahoma City thanks to Griffin Media’s donation of its KWTV News 9 building, including nearly all the building’s contents and equipment, to the University.

“Through this partnership we will be able to provide scholarships to current and future broadcast journalism students,” said Dr. Peterson, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. “With this partnership, our new building and equipment, Langston University broadcast journalism is poised to eventually lead the nation in producing highly trained and qualified underrepresented professionals in all areas of broadcast television journalism.”

Langston University joins NBCU Academy’s 15 academic partner expansion, bringing the total number of partners to 45. The 15 new partners include:

  • UC Berkeley M.E.T. in Berkeley, CA
  • Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL
  • Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet, MN
  • Helena College – University of Montana in Helena, MT
  • Langston University in Langston, OK
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver in Denver, CO
  • Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham OR
  • Nevada State College in Henderson, NV
  • Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN
  • The Ohio State University, College of Engineering and School of Communication in Columbus, OH
  • Texas Southern University, School of Communication in Houston, TX
  • United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, ND
  • University of Arizona, School of Journalism in Tucson, AZ
  • University of Central Florida, Nicholson School of Communication and Media, in Orlando, FL
  • University of Missouri School of Journalism, in Columbia, MO

“This partnership re-affirms Langston University’s commitment to changing the broadcast journalism profession by providing learning opportunities and resources not only for on-air talent, but also for behind-the-scenes talent,” President Kent J. Smith, Jr said. “This is a pivotal moment for Langston University and for the future of minorities in the broadcasting industry.”

NBCU Academy has elevated the next generation of journalists, providing students from underrepresented communities a pipeline into newsrooms across media and technology. NBCU Academy’s pioneering Embed Program creates roles for recent graduates from partner schools and institutions with diverse student populations. In two years, NBCU Academy has assigned 11 Embeds full-time, two-year job assignments across the News Group’s on-air and Digital platforms, Marketing, Global Talent Development & Inclusion, Data Sciences, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences graphic

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES FIRST NAMED SCHOOL IN UNIVERSITY HISTORY

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Langston University Office of Public Relations

LANGSTON, Okla. – Langston University alumnus Sherman Lewis, along with wife Berniece, announced a transformational gift to the School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. The gift will bring new opportunities and resources to Langston University students interested in pursuing careers in Agriculture and related fields. The school will be renamed the Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences in recognition of the gift, the first named school in Langston University history. The renaming was approved by the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents at their meeting on Friday, October 21, 2022.

This announcement follows the largest individual donation in university history by Lewis. The funds will create the Sherman and Berniece Lewis Endowment, earmarked for the school and to support the achievements of our talented students. The Lewis family, stalwart supporters of Langston University, credit the School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences with creating the foundation for their success.

“I’ve always felt a very strong sense of obligation to give back to Langston University for giving me so much when I needed it most to start my life’s journey,” said Lewis. “Langston University made an investment in me when I needed help and now, I want to make an investment in Langston University for the students its helping today and future ones to start their journey of life.”

Lewis has spent a lifetime championing the importance of agriculture in Oklahoma and beyond. Born and raised on a farm near Beggs, Oklahoma, Sherman Lewis enrolled in Langston University and earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics with a minor in mathematics in 1964. After two years in the military, Lewis joined the USDA Soil Conservation Service, now the Natural Resources Conservation Service. He would go on to obtain his master’s degree in public administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Lewis would soon return to Langston University to direct 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. He was in this role for eight years.

Upon his departure from Langston University as Director of Outreach Programs, Lewis decided to venture into the private sector. He and his family started several different lines of businesses in Houston, Texas. Including, quick service restaurants, construction project management, real estate, wholesale and retail gas distribution and a Mexican restaurant in downtown Houston.

“Langston University is indebted to the Lewis family for their stewardship and support over many years,” said Dr. Kent J. Smith, Jr., President of Langston University. “The Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences will be a place for our students to learn and grow with opportunities for cutting-edge research and instruction from our incredible faculty. We are proud to rename the school to honor this great alumnus.”

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. Prior to this announcement, the Lewis family had already given the largest donation of any living alumnus. Their generosity continues through the established Sherman Lewis Fund, which provides scholarships that fully fund tuition and school supplies for gifted LU-SAAS students.

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY RECEIVES GRANT FROM INASMUCH FOUNDATION

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By Langston University Office of Public Relations

LANGSTON, Okla. – Inasmuch Foundation has awarded Langston University a $200,000 grant for its “Forward Together Project,” a solutions-based media initiative designed to bring the historically rich and diverse communities within and surrounding its Langston, Tulsa, and Oklahoma City campuses.

Langston University is a historically black institution founded in 1897. With an enrollment of approximately 2,000, Langston University is the only HBCU in Oklahoma; and its core mission is education for service.
That dedication to service is at the heart of the Forward Together Project.

The history of Oklahoma, particularly the story of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, is well documented, and its impact continues to be palpable, influencing perceptions, relationships and interactions among locals and people far beyond the region.

Through storytelling, social media tools, engagement analytics and community forums; Langston University’s Broadcast Journalism program, known for award-winning student work, will house the Forward Together Project. Students under the direction of professional journalists and professors will provide a collaborative platform for residents and civic leaders who, while ever mindful of the painful scars of the Oklahoma’s past, are inspiring hope and changing the narrative.

“We are immensely proud of the accomplishments of our students and our faculty. This generous gift will allow them to utilize their talents and training to advance this important work,” said Langston University President Kent J. Smith, Jr.

Inasmuch Foundation, based in Oklahoma City, champions journalism, education, human services, and community to improve the quality of life for Oklahomans. Founded by Edith Kinney Gaylord in 1982, The Foundation has funded programs and initiatives at several other universities, and this is the first project Inasmuch Foundation has funded at Langston University.

“The Forward Together Project will provide first-hand professional opportunities to Langston University journalism students,” said Robert J. Ross, Inasmuch Foundation Chairman and CEO. “Forward Together will produce impactful stories and showcase the beginning of a talent pipeline of Black Oklahoma journalists.”

Production on the project is expected to begin immediately, with the first stories expected to air sometime in mid-2023. Langston University is planning a community engagement event for early 2023 to solicit ideas for future projects.

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES LARGEST CORPORATE GIFT IN UNIVERSITY HISTORY, NEW HOME OF JOURNALISM

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By Jet Turner, Langston University Public Relations

 

LANGSTON, Okla. – Langston University announced at its 17th Annual President’s Student Scholarship Gala that Griffin Media has made the largest corporate donation in university history, gifting the university its KWTV News 9 building located at 7401 N. Kelley Ave. Langston University takes possession of the building in January 2023.

President and CEO of Griffin Media David Griffin said the company was working to bring new, advanced technology and sets to the newscast. Installing new equipment in their current building would tie them to the location for the next 15 years. Griffin Media had another goal in mind, that is to plant its flag in downtown Oklahoma City.

This left Griffin with a dilemma: What would the company do with its existing home of more than seventy years?

“If we abandon this building there is going to be a hole in this community, and we just did not want to leave this community alone,” Griffin said. “So, we went on a search to see how we could be a part of something bigger than ourselves. And then it just dawned on me, Langston has a journalism program.”

The gift totals over $10 million, and includes the building, the surrounding land, all the existing equipment used for the News 9 newscast, every table and chair, the computers, the fiberoptic cabling and more. The site will also be home to the Center for Media and Community Advancement at Langston University funded in part with a grant from the Inasmuch Foundation.

Langston University President Kent J. Smith, Jr. said this gift will not only impact our journalism program, but it will also impact the entire university community.

“There is an entire business behind news production. From computer technology to marketing and sales, our students will have the benefit of learning here. Now we can think of Oklahoma City and our Oklahoma City campus in an entirely different realm that we could not imagine before,” Smith said.

This gift will revolutionize how Oklahoma’s only HBCU produces new journalists and will impact every aspect of the profession.

Griffin Media has committed to a long-term unprecedented partnership with Langston University. News 9’s on-air and behind-the-scenes talent will teach classes, mentor students and provide opportunities for LU students to learn from them on state-of-the-art equipment.

“If you’re looking for something to believe in that will fundamentally change not only Langston University but journalism as a whole there is no doubt in my mind that this is it,” Smith said. “If you cannot get excited about that I do not know what gets you excited.”

DR. JEWEL H. BRONAUGH, DEPUTY SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, TO SPEAK AT THE 122ND COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

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By Christina Gray, Media Relations Specialist

LANGSTON, Okla. – Langston University announced that Dr. Jewel H. Bronaugh, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be this year’s distinguished guest speaker at the Commencement Ceremony. This year’s ceremony is set to be held in person at the W.E. Anderson Stadium on the Langston campus on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at 10:00 AM.

“We are very excited to welcome Dr. Bronaugh to campus for this special occasion. She is a champion for our country’s rural communities, families, farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers,” said Dr. Kent J. Smith, Jr. “Her work with the USDA is game-changing. Most recently, she worked on a $1 billion investment that will transform rural areas across the country. This initiative will help strengthen access to health care for those who reside in those communities.”

The USDA has supported a broad range of research and extension programs over the years within the School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. The most notable is their support of the E Kika De La Garza American Institute for goat research. They have also collaborated with our teams to help advance our international reach through small ruminant projects. This support has been vital in providing the support to build structures for irrigational systems for countries all over the world.

“As we prepare to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Dear Langston, it was important to us that we pay homage to our history as a USDA supported land grant university, said Dr. Wesley Whittaker. “The USDA partnership with LU has been instrumental. The financial support they provide has helped exponentially grow opportunity for the University’s academic and extension research, fellowship training, as well as providing student scholarship and internship opportunities.”

BACKGROUND:

Langston University (LU) was founded as a land grant college through the Morrill Act of 1890. It was officially established when House Bill 151 passed on March 12, 1897, and named the Colored Agricultural and Normal University. The bill mandated the University to receive federal funds matched by state funds for the support of agricultural research and cooperative extension and community engagement.

Langston University (LU) was established prior to statehood. LU was founded in 1897 as a land grant institution, it is the only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the state of Oklahoma. LU has both a rural and urban mandated mission with campuses in Langston, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and one extension in Ardmore. Langston University produces top academic scholars within the six schools that house the degree programs. LU boasts a total of 30 undergraduate and 5 graduate degree programs are offered within Agriculture and Applied Sciences, Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Behavioral Science, Nursing and Health Professions, and Physical Therapy. Currently, the top majors are nursing, health physical education and recreation, liberal education, and psychology.

LU student after donating blood

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY HOLDS RED CROSS SICKLE CELL AWARENESS BLOOD DRIVES ON ALL CAMPUSES APRIL 5

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DONORS WILL RECEIVE A COMMEMORATIVE T-SHIRT COURTESY OF ONEOK.

TULSA, Okla. – Langston University and the American Red Cross announce Sickle Cell Awareness blood drives on April 5 at their Langston, Oklahoma City and Tulsa campuses. The blood drives are being sponsored by ONEOK. “I’m blessed to work with three great institutions, and I saw this as an opportunity to partner together to help address the need for donations of rare blood types – in particular those needed to help treat sickle cell disease,” said Mike Clark, Vice President, Controller – Natural Gas Liquids, for ONEOK.Right now, the Red Cross is asking for your help to address a critical need for African American and Black blood donors. African American and Black blood donors have a unique ability to help sickle cell patients and support the health of their community.

Red Cross blood drive cancellations – mostly due to the pandemic – have significantly impacted the ability to collect lifesaving blood donations from the Black community. Unfortunately, disproportionately high COVID-19 infection rates, hospitalization and fatalities within Black communities have deterred many donors from giving, and the cancellation of drives at educational institutions and businesses where most of these individuals give has made the problem worse. Despite the steep decline in blood donations from African American and Black blood donors, the need for blood products for patients with sickle cell disease has remained relatively steady.

“We are very excited to be partnering with the American Red Cross and ONEOK for this historic multi-campus blood drive event,” said Joshua Busby, Dean of Students, Langston University. “The importance of hosting this event at an HBCU is significant because we have a direct reach to the communities of color. We know that Sickle Cell Disease impacts those communities at a higher rate, and the type of outreach we can provide is important.”

Donors of all blood types are encouraged to donate blood Monday, April 5, to help save lives. All those coming to give at any of the April 5 Langston University blood drives will receive a commemorative T-shirt courtesy of ONEOK, while supplies last.

• Langston Campus | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Multipurpose Building Gym

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

• Langston Tulsa | 2:30 – 7:30 PM | Classroom 207 & 208

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

• Langston OKC | 2:30 – 7:30 PM | Atrium

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

Sickle cell disease is the most common blood disorder in the U.S. and impacts about 100,000 people, most of which are of African or Latino descent. Blood transfusions from Black donors help to provide a lifesaving treatment for patients during a sickle cell crisis by increasing the number of normal red blood cells in the body and helps deliver oxygen throughout the body and unblock blood vessels.

Blood transfused to patients with rare blood types, like those with sickle cell disease, must be matched very closely to reduce the risk of complications, and these patients are more likely to find a compatible blood match from a blood donor of the same race or similar ethnicity. A single sickle cell patient can require multiple blood transfusions per year throughout their lifetime to treat complications from sickle cell disease.

HEALTH INSIGHTS FOR OUR DONORS

The Red Cross is testing blood, donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms. Testing may also identify the presence of antibodies developed after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

Plasma from routine blood donations that test positive for high levels of antibodies may be used as convalescent plasma to meet potential future needs of COVID-19 patients. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood product collected from COVID-19 survivors who have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus.

The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.

At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is also screening all blood donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.

Donors can expect to receive antibody test and sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.

BLOOD DRIVE SAFETY

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face masks for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.

ABOUT BLOOD DONATION

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit  RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN RED CROSS

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.

For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY JOINS GROW WITH GOOGLE, THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND PROGRAM TO TRAIN 20,000 HBCU STUDENTS IN DIGITAL SKILLS THIS SCHOOL YEAR

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THE PROGRAM IS PART OF GOOGLE’S $15 MILLION COMMITMENT TO UPSKILL BLACK WORKERS, ANNOUNCED IN JUNE

Written By: Elizabeth Killough

Google today announced 16 new schools are joining its Grow with Google HBCU Career Readiness Program, including Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma. Through a $1 million investment in the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the program provides digital skills workshops in HBCU career centers to help Black students prepare for the workforce. Announced in October, the initiative’s goal is to reach 20,000 students during the current school year. Today’s announcement brings the number of participating schools to 20 total, and the program will be available to all HBCUs by fall 2021

“Google believes investing in HBCU students strengthens the future workforce and increases economic opportunity,” said Bonita Stewart, vice president for global partnerships at Google and Howard University alumna. “We’re proud to expand our Grow with Google HBCU Career Readiness Program with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to reach more HBCU students with the digital skills they need to thrive in the workforce.”

TMCF—the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community—has a track record of successfully connecting HBCU students with scholarships, training and jobs as they navigate college and careers. Its long history of on-the-ground work ensures the Grow with Google HBCU Career Readiness Program is tailored to meet student needs.

“We are excited about this initiative and partnership with Google and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and thrilled that they chose our Office of Career and Professional Development to bring these much needed skills to our Langston students,” said Dr. Kent J. Smith Jr., president of Langston University. “Through this partnership, I am confident that our students will have the necessary digital skills to be prepared for their professional life after Langston.”

Started last October, the Grow with Google HBCU Career Readiness Program provides HBCU career centers with funding and a semester-long in-person and online digital skills program. The program combines existing Grow with Google workshops with custom job seeker content for Black students, including design thinking, project management, and professional brand building. TMCF, which is contributing to the program’s design, will work with HBCU career centers to onboard the program.

“A central part of the mission of TMCF is to prepare the next generation of workforce talent. Our partnership with Google enables this mission and ensures students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities are positioned to compete for meaningful careers”, said Dr. Harry L. Williams, president and CEO of Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

This $1 million Grow with Google investment is part of a $15 million commitment to upskill Black workers. Announced by Google CEO Sundar Pichai last June, the investment aims to help Black job seekers learn new skills in partnership with national workforce development organizations.

Grow with Google is Google’s initiative to create economic opportunities for all by providing free tools and training. Since 2017, the program has trained more than five million Americans on digital skills. The Grow with Google HBCU Career Readiness Program builds on the company’s ongoing investments in HBCU students. Since 2013, the Google In Residence program has placed Google software engineers at HBCUs and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) as faculty. The company also hosts Tech Exchange, a virtual student exchange program that teaches HBCU and HSU students applied computer science courses.

For more information on Grow with Google’s HBCU Career Readiness program, please visit this website.

ABOUT GROW WITH GOOGLE
Grow with Google was started in 2017 to help Americans grow their skills, careers and businesses. It provides free training, tools, and expertise to help small business owners, veterans and military families, jobseekers and students, educators, startups, and developers. Since Grow with Google’s inception, it has helped more than five million Americans grow their skills, careers and businesses. Grow with Google has created a network of more than 7,500 partner organizations like libraries, schools, small business development centers, chambers of commerce and nonprofits to help people coast-to-coast.

ABOUT THE THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND
Established in 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF member-schools include the publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions, enrolling nearly 80% of all students attending black colleges and universities. Through scholarships, capacity building and research initiatives, innovative programs and strategic partnerships, TMCF is a vital resource in the PK-12 and higher education space. The organization is also the source of top employers seeking top talent for competitive internships and good jobs. TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more information about TMCF, visit: tmcf.org.