News Archives - Langston University

Category: News

Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson smiling in blue academic regalia in front of an LU branded podium

President Jackson reaffirms Langston University’s commitment to leadership, service during annual State of the University address

Release Provided By Ellie Melero

Leadership, service and impact were the main themes of President Ruth Ray Jackson’s State of the University address during Langston University’s Opening Convocation Ceremony on Thursday.

Addressing the gathered students, faculty, staff, alumni and guests, Dr. Jackson charged the LU community to be leaders in the spaces they inhabit, both on and off campus. She remarked on Langston University’s long legacy of transforming lives through education, research, outreach and service, and she reaffirmed the university’s commitment to continuing that work during the 2026-27 school year and beyond.

“As Oklahoma’s HBCU and the state’s second-largest land-grant institution, we occupy a unique and important place in higher education,” Dr. Jackson said. “These distinctions are not simply a source of pride; they are a responsibility. Our mission calls us to expand opportunities, create knowledge, strengthen communities and prepare students for lives of leadership and service.”

2026 SGA Officers dressed in formal attire raising their right hands as they take the oath of office — (Left to right) Jonell St. Fort, Christion Gause and Nakhya Foster were sworn in as the Student Government Association President, Vice President and Activities Board Coordinator, respectively, during Opening Convocation on Sept. 3.

Leadership and service are not new charges for the LU community; in many ways, those principles are at the core of life at Dear Langston. But Dr. Jackson renewed the charge as part of a new initiative being introduced this academic year: Lead Boldly.

The Lead Boldly initiative is named after a book by prominent businessman and philanthropist Robert F. Smith, “Lead Boldly: Seven Principles from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” In the book, Smith invites readers to consider how their actions can bring Dr. King’s “Beloved Community” to life through the seven key principles of purpose, courage, vision, innovation, agility, partnership and accountability. Smith visited the LU-Tulsa Campus in October 2025, and many students had the opportunity to hear him speak and even ask him questions. Over the summer, the university received a donation of 1,000 copies of his book.

Through the Lead Boldly initiative, Langston University has begun distributing free copies of the book to students at all three campuses. Throughout the school year, the university will host several Lead Boldly events intended to infuse Dr. King’s teachings directly into student programming.

“(Langston University students) will explore Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community and what it means to lead with purpose, service and responsibility to others,” Dr. Jackson said. “That mission has never been more important than it is today.”

In addition to introducing the Lead Boldly initiative, Dr. Jackson took time to celebrate some of the many accomplishments the LU community has had over the past year.

Vice President for Academic Affairs Alonzo Peterson dressed in academic regalia addressing the crowd during Opening Convocation — Vice President for Academic Affairs Alonzo Peterson encouraged students to get involved on campus outside of classes.

The School of Physical Therapy’s Class of 2026 achieved a 100% passage rate for the National Physical Therapy Examination with a 100% job placement. The School of Nursing and Health Professions secured an Oklahoma Opioid Abatement Grant of over $100,000, expanding the university’s efforts to address substance misuse, promote prevention and improve health outcomes in communities across the state. The Department of Rehabilitation Counseling and Disabilities Studies earned a Top 10 national ranking for its Master’s of Rehabilitation Counseling program. The Department of Social Sciences launched its inaugural Ambassador for Justice program, which connects students with justice leaders and leadership development experiences to prepare them to be changemakers in their communities. Students and Faculty in the Science Research Institute developed a research payload that is scheduled to launch aboard SpaceX-35 to the International Space Station in October.

“Across every school and department, we are making meaningful contributions that extend far beyond our campuses,” Dr. Jackson said. “These things do not happen by accident. They happen because talented people choose excellence every day.”

During her address, Dr. Jackson also announced Langston University has begun to work on a new long-term strategic plan. The university’s current strategic plan expires in 2027. Developing the new plan will be a collaborative process with opportunities for faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners to help shape the future of the institution.

Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson dressed in blue academic regalia smiling at the podium during Opening Convocation — Dr. Jackson delivered the State of the University address during Formal Opening Convocation on Sept. 3.

Part of the plan includes changes to Langston University’s administrative divisions. The university hired three new vice presidents, filling two vacant roles and creating a new one to lead a new division. Diana Lasswell has been hired as the new Vice President for Institutional Advancement, and Dr. R. Mark Rasor has been hired as the new Vice President for Fiscal and Administrative Affairs. Lindsey Hunter has been hired as the inaugural Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management.

Along with these new hires, the university’s administration will undergo realignment to ensure the university is prepared to take on the challenges facing higher education across the country.

“We must ensure that our structure supports our strategy, that responsibilities are clearly assigned, and that our resources are focused where they can have the greatest impact on student success and institutional effectiveness,” Dr. Jackson said.

Dr. Jackson also discussed the university’s upcoming Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation site visit. This standard site visit is part of the normal process of maintaining accreditation for higher education institutions, and many different university stakeholders will participate in the visit.

As many of these activities will be ongoing throughout the school year, Dr. Jackson encouraged Langston University’s community to step up and take advantage of the opportunities to help shape the university’s future. LU has a long history of leadership, service and impact in Oklahoma. It is up to each member of the Lion Pride to ensure that legacy continues.

“May we continue to learn deeply, lead boldly and serve faithfully,” Dr. Jackson said. “May we remain steadfastly committed to our mission and intentional in building the Beloved Community. And may we continue working together to create an even stronger future for Dear Langston.”

21st annual president's Scholarship Gala talent announcement: Chante Moore

Decorated R&B artist Chanté Moore to perform at Langston University’s 21st Annual President’s Scholarship Gala

Release Provided By Ellie Melero

Grammy-nominated R&B singer Chanté Moore will perform at Langston University’s 21st Annual President’s Scholarship Gala on Oct. 16 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

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 Chanté as this year’s concert performance.

In 1992, Moore exploded onto the R&B music scene with her certified gold debut album, “Precious.” Since then, she has released more than 20 chart-topping singles and 7 full-length albums. She has collaborated with many high-profile artists, including Prince, Babyface and The Isley Brothers.

Moore is known for hits like “Chanté’s Got a Man,” “Love’s Taken Over” and “Straight Up.” She has won numerous awards throughout her career, such as the 1997 American Music Award for Top Soundtrack for her work on “Waiting to Exhale: Original Soundtrack Album.” She also won a 2002 Soul Train Music Award for the Best R&B/Soul Single – Group, Band or Duo for the song “Contagious,” in collaboration with The Isley Brothers and which also received a Grammy nomination. In 2013, she received a UB Honors Award for Best Independent R&B Album Release for her sixth studio album “Moore is More.”

In 2014, she wrote an autobiographical self-help book titled “Will I Marry Me?” In 2017, she released her latest albums “The Rise of the Phoenix” and “Christmas Back to You.” Since then, Moore has continued to travel and perform.

“When you see me perform, you will always hear love songs,” Moore said. “You will always get lush, beautiful and intricate harmonies. You can rely on the music being positive even if it’s about heartbreak. To sum it all up, no matter what, you can always count on getting the best of me.”

To purchase tickets for the Langston University President’s Scholarship Gala, visit langston.edu/gala.

headshots of Diana Lasswell, Lindsey Hunter and Mark Rasor

Langston University hires three new vice presidents for fiscal affairs, strategic enrollment, institutional advancement

Release Provided By Ellie Melero

Langston University has hired three new vice presidents to fill out its administrative team, filling two vacant positions and adding one role to lead a newly formed division. The additions of these new roles will serve as a compliment to the existing executive team, which will constitute the President’s Cabinet.

Diana Lasswell is the new Vice President for Institutional Advancement. She is responsible for stewarding donors with the Langston University Foundation as its executive director and leading the Offices of Development and Alumni Affairs. She started in her new role on Aug. 10.

Lindsey Hunter will be the inaugural Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management. In this role, she will be responsible for leading strategic enrollment efforts to include admissions, recruitment and outreach services as well as student financial aid and scholarships. She will begin at Langston University on Sept. 8.

Dr. R. Mark Rasor will be the new Vice President for Fiscal and Administrative Affairs. In this role, VP Rasor will be responsible for oversight of Fiscal and Administrative Affairs to include all financial and budgetary responsibilities, human resources, Title IX/ADA, facilities management and capital projects. Dr. Rasor will begin at Langston University on Sept. 9.

“We are so happy to have VP Hunter, VP Lasswell and VP Rasor join our Langston University family,” said LU President Ruth Ray Jackson. “Each of them brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their respective roles that will be an incredible benefit to our university as we continue to work to provide affordable, high-quality higher education opportunities here in Oklahoma and beyond.”

Diana Lasswell

Vice President Lasswell is a seasoned planned giving professional with extensive experience designing, rebuilding and scaling gift-planning programs for large public universities, academic medical centers and national nonprofits. She has a proven record of closing complex blended and principal gifts, implementing charitable gift annuities and trusts, and aligning donor passions with institutional priorities.

An Oklahoma native from Claremore, Vice President Lasswell comes to Langston University after serving as the Executive Director of Planned Giving at the University of Oklahoma since 2024. She has previously held senior roles for planned giving at the Oklahoma State University Foundation, the University of South Florida, the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, and The Salvation Army Oklahoma and Arkansas Division. She has her B.S. in Criminology and Sociology from the University of Tulsa.

“I am excited to be here,” Vice President Lasswell said. “The opportunity to increase fundraising efforts to help and support the students and programs here is key for me. As a first-generation college graduate at an institution with many first-generation students, this is truly a mission I am proud to be a part of.

“Langston University is important to the State of Oklahoma, and I hope to share the impact LU has not just with our supporters, but with all of Oklahoma that may not realize the opportunities and impact Langston University provides. I want to do my best to make a difference and provide support for Dear Langston.”

Lindsey Hunter

Vice President Hunter is a strategic, student-centered higher education executive with more than 20 years of progressive leadership driving enrollment growth, postsecondary access and student success. She has spent her career building scalable enrollment systems and high performing, cross-functional teams that can translate institutional vision into operational execution and measurable results.

She comes to Langston University after serving as the Director of Enrollment Services at Oakton College since April 2025. Throughout her career, she has served at selective research universities, community colleges, K–12 systems and national nonprofits, including leadership roles at Emory University, Clark Atlanta University and Chicago Public Schools. She is a graduate of Spelman College, where she earned her B.A. in Theater and Drama, and she holds a Master of Science in Education in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies from Hofstra University.

“I am excited to join the Langston community as the inaugural Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management,” Vice President Hunter said. “The HBCU experience is unmatched. At a time when the value of higher education is being questioned, I am certain that attending an HBCU offers a remarkable return on investment. High-quality academics, a distinct and vibrant campus experience, and lifelong alumni connections are the markers of that value.

“I look forward to leading the team that introduces new generations of students to Langston and supports them not only in their admission, but through their matriculation and all the way to graduation at this wonderful institution.”

Dr. R. Mark Rasor

Vice President Rasor has worked in higher education accounting and finance since 2007, holding various leadership roles at two Oklahoma higher education institutions. He has extensive experience in budget preparation, financial implementation of strategic plans, direct oversight of multiple offices, and oversight of contracts with key campus partners and vendors. In addition to his experience in the higher education sector, he has 25 years of private sector experience in wholesale and retail sales, accounting and management. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Vice President Rasor currently serves as Vice President for Administration and Finance at Rogers State University, where he oversees the university’s financial operations and strategic resource management. Before coming to Rogers State, he served in various roles at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, including as Vice President for Fiscal Affairs and Interim President. Dr. Rasor holds degrees from Baylor University and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and he has his doctorate from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Prentice Ponds II poses with his diploma and Dr. Alonzo Peterson

Education for All: Nine inmates graduate from Langston University Second Chance Pell Program

Release Provided By Ellie Melero

by Ellie Melero

Prentice Ponds II fought back tears as he shook hands with Dr. Alonzo Peterson.

An inmate at Dick Conner Correctional Center (DCCC) in Hominy, Oklahoma, Ponds never thought he would have the opportunity to attend college. It was one of the many doors he assumed had been closed to him for good when he received a life sentence for a robbery conviction in 2017. But thanks to Langston University’s Second Chance Pell Program, Ponds graduated with his Bachelor of Business Administration degree on Aug. 14.

“It was just an experience that I thought I would never have,” Ponds said. “And I had the opportunity and a chance to take it. So I did, and I love it. You know, and I advocate for (this program) all the time.”

Ponds was one of nine inmates who graduated from Langston University and participated in a small graduation ceremony at the medium security chapel at the DCCC. Many of the inmates had friends and family who attended, along with several LU faculty and staff.

Inmates in graduation caps and gowns smile as they listen to the guest speaker during the small graduation ceremony held at Dick Conner Correctional Center — Nine inmates at Dick Conner Correctional Center graduated from Langston University in a small ceremony on Aug. 14, 2026.

The celebration included remarks from Dr. Ruben Herron, a professor in LU’s Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, as the guest speaker; an honors student recognition for those on the Dean’s and President’s Honor Rolls; induction into the Delta Mu Delta Honor Society for qualifying students; and the formal conferral of degrees. The ceremony also included a recognition and diploma conferral for inmates who graduated from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections’ Lakeside High School.

Seven men graduated with their Bachelor of Business Administration, and two men graduated with their Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services.

“It was truly a special day,” said Dr. Peterson, LU’s Vice President for Academic Affairs. “You could see what the moment meant not only to the graduates, but also to their families and loved ones, as well as our faculty and staff who have worked with these students along the way.”

The Second Chance Pell Program operates under LU’s Tulsa Campus. It was established in 2017 under the U.S. Department of Education’s Second Chance Pell Initiative, which restored Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated individuals in 2015. Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, the Second Chance Pell Program will transition to a Prison Education Program.

Students in the program are able to choose between degrees in Business Administration or Rehabilitation Services. These degree programs were chosen because they are best suited to serve the graduates when they complete their sentences and re-enter the workforce.

Sylvester Stanley, a Rehabilitation Services graduate, said he loved the program because it helped him learn more about himself and has motivated him to keep pursuing education.

Sylvester Stanley shakes hands with Rehabilitation Services Professor Emmanuel Lewis. — Sylvester Stanley earned his Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Studies. He wants to use his degree to help at risk youth in Tulsa when he is released.

“It helped me to kind of grow and change in here to where I know I’m locked up, but I’m not locked up,” Stanley said. “Because it’s a mindset thing. So, I take my mind and use it as a tool to help me better myself and the people around me. I’ve got this support system in the world, and I want to let them know that I’m not allowing prison to be the deciding factor of how I act or dictate my mood or my feelings.”

To qualify for graduation, the inmates must meet all the same degree requirements as regular LU students. For many, this takes longer than the standard four years because they may have to take a semester off to work or see to responsibilities within the court system. Ponds and Stanley remained dedicated to their studies, and they both earned honors for their work. Ponds was even able to graduate with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Stanley said it was important to him to devote his time to his studies because he has goals for his life after DCCC. When he’s released, he wants to work with at risk youth in Tulsa to help prevent them from making the same mistakes he did. He hopes to have an opportunity to begin working on his master’s while still in jail so that he will be one step closer to becoming a licensed professional counselor when he leaves.

For Dr. Peterson, this is the true goal of the program. He doesn’t see it as simply a way for the inmates to earn degrees; it’s a way for them to take control of their futures.

“I am proud that Langston University is able to provide this opportunity,” Dr. Peterson said. “These men made a decision to use education to change the direction of their lives, and they worked hard to earn their degrees. When they return to their communities, they will do so as college graduates with an education they can use to create new opportunities for themselves and their families. And just as importantly, they are now proud alumni of Langston University.

“For me, this is what our work is really about: changing lives, creating opportunities and giving people hope for what comes next.”

a high school student smiling during High School Day 2024

Langton University offers concurrent enrollment for Oklahoma high schoolers for $100

Release Provided By Ellie Melero

Langston University’s concurrent enrollment program offers Oklahoma high school students an opportunity to take college-level courses and earn college credit for only $100.

Oklahoma high school juniors and seniors can begin working on their college degrees by taking classes through Langston University’s concurrent enrollment program this fall and spring. The program has a $100 flat fee per person per semester. Juniors can have tuition waived for up to 9 credit hours per year, and seniors can have tuition waived for up to 18 credit hours per year. This allows students to save both time and money on their degrees.

Dr. Heath Burge, Assistant Vice President for Strategic Enrollment and Advising Services, said it’s important to offer these opportunities to high schoolers not only for the financial aspect, but to help prepare them for the academic rigor of college courses.

“This program is important because it provides early exposure to college courses and campus experiences,” Dr. Burge said. “It provides early exposure to Langston University. These students will have a headstart on completing their bachelor’s degrees, and it will ultimately help provide a smoother transition going from high school to college.”

The concurrent enrollment program offers courses in a variety of subjects, including English, mathematics, natural sciences, political science and business. These classes can count toward general education requirements and program-specific pre-requisites.

To enroll in Langston University’s concurrent enrollment program, students must be current 11th or 12th grade students and must either have a minimum ACT composite score of 20 or an unweighted 3.25 GPA or an unweighted 3.0 GPA while ranking in the top 50% of their class. Interested students should talk to their high school counselor.

For more information about LU concurrent enrollment, visit langston.edu/concurrent-enrollment.

employee from aaru helping a student put on the V R headset

LU Cooperative Extension and Outreach hosts virtual reality STEM education labs

Release Provided By Ellie Melero

by Ellie Melero

As she stepped into the Pollinator Sanctuary, Andria took a moment to assess her surroundings.

She stood in the middle of a circular path lined with bushes and flowers. Butterflies, bees and other flying insects flitted between the plants, buzzing contentedly and paying her no mind. Her eyes followed the route of a bumblebee as it circled a purple flower to her right and flew over her head, bringing her gaze up to admire the bright blue sky that shone through the crisscrossing wooden beams enclosing her and the insects inside a giant ring.

She returned her eyes to the front and saw six pedestals in front of her. Each held a flower and was labeled with a different pollinator. She stepped forward, reached out, and plucked a bright red and orange marigold from its pedestal. Immediately, a honeybee came and landed on the flower, allowing her to get a good, close look at it. She brought the flower eye-level, and a voice began speaking in her ear, telling her about the daily habits of honeybees.

“Usually, if I saw it in real life, I would get scared,” Andria said. “If I saw a bee, I would run. But since I knew it wasn’t real, I was kind of investigating it, seeing what was on the bug and stuff.”

Pollinator Sanctuary virtual reality experience displayed on a TV screen — The VR Pollinator Sanctuary helped students learn about pollination, the insects that pollinate, and how that process plays into everyday life.

Observing different bees, butterflies and moths up close on the flowers was one of several activities Andria did through the Pollinator Sanctuary Virtual Reality Experience at Langston University on Thursday.

A rising junior at Stillwater High School, Andria is a camper at LU’s 2026 Math and Science Academy. The annual summer camp brings students from all over Oklahoma and surrounding states to the Langston Campus for two weeks to learn about STEM careers, life in college and strategies for taking the ACT. Activities like the Pollinator Sanctuary give the students opportunities to learn about STEM and agriculture in new and exciting ways, which is why Shar Carter is trying to make it more accessible.

Carter is an extension educator with LU’s Cooperative Outreach and Extension Programs (CEOP). She worked with Aaru Entertainment, a virtual reality company based in Tulsa, to bring the Pollinator Sanctuary to Langston for the Math and Science Academy. For two years, she has worked with Aaru to put on similar events around Tulsa with some of the other educational labs they offer, such as a virtual reality space simulation. This summer, she wants to do more.

“We can take them to places, whether that’s botanical gardens or museums, that they might never see in their lifetime,” Carter said. “There’s just so many applications that we can do, and what Dr. (Welsey) Whitaker, Dr. (Alonzo) Peterson and President (Ruth Ray) Jackson have allowed me to do is engage with other departments and adapt it to what they want to do.”

For the Math and Science Academy, Carter wanted it to showcase one of the many intersections of STEM and agriculture.

a student moves around while wearing a V R headset — In the VR Pollinator Sanctuary, students could get a close look at insects and flowers and learn about the importance of pollination and pollinator conservation.

By donning the VR headset, students were transported from LU’s Multipurpose Gymnasium into a state-of-the-art insect sanctuary and observatory to learn about pollination, the insects that pollinate, and how that process plays into everyday life. They looked at bugs and flowers up close, walked through a grocery store with empty shelves where all the food requiring pollination should have been, and learned about pollinator conservation.

For many of the students, this was their first experience with virtual reality, and they were impressed.

“I was excited because I always wanted to try VR,” Andria said. “At first, it wasn’t like how I expected it to be, but it was still fun. It was cool looking around and seeing random things flying around. I think it’s a fun way to learn, especially since it’s kind of like a video game, and most people like video games.”

The experience stuck with the students as more than just a fun activity. Many said they learned things about bees they hadn’t known before, and the impact of seeing the empty grocery store shelves is something many said will stay with them.

Aaiyah, a rising junior at Wiley East High School in Dallas, said the experience was eye-opening.

“It’s showing you how all the pollinators are gonna be gone, and how we’re not really gonna have any food,” Aaiyah said. “Like, in year 2080, we’re really only gonna have bread and wine. It was just really sad because we need to work on it.”

Despite the somber feeling she had when she took off the headset, Aaiyah was still impressed by the VR experience.

“You see things, like articles and stuff like that,” Aaiyah said. “But this was like, you actually got to engage with it. To see the future and back and the difference, and to actually take it in.”

Carter and Aaru will host the next virtual reality STEM education lab on the Langston Campus on June 25 as part of the Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences’ HERC Field Day. Carter is working to schedule more around Oklahoma throughout the summer.

U.S. Navy Divers open the Orion capsule in the open ocean

Langston University Alumnus serves on Artemis II Naval Recovery Mission

Release Provided By Ellie Melero

by Ellie Melero

On April 1, the world watched excitedly as astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen launched into space as part of the Artemis II Mission–NASA’s first crewed lunar flyby since 1972. For 10 days, people eagerly awaited updates as the Artemis II crew orbited the moon and traveled the greatest distance from Earth humans have ever achieved. On April 10, the crew reentered the Earth’s orbit and splashed down off the coast of San Diego.

The first person to greet them was Langston University alumnus Laddy Aldridge.

Aldridge is a Senior Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy, and he serves as the Independent Duty Corpsman for Explosive Ordinance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit 1. He was one of four Navy Sailors selected for the Navy Dive Medical Recovery Team for the Artemis II Mission, serving as a first-contact medical provider inside the Orion capsule. But long before that, he was just a boy from Oklahoma.

“To be a part of this mission is truly an honor,” Aldridge said. “I am humbled to have been just a small part in it.”

the U.S. Navy dive medical team pose for a group photo in uniform — LU alumnus Laddy Aldridge (far right) was the first person to make contact with the Artemis II astronauts when they returned from space. *(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class August Clawson)*

Aldridge grew up in Cushing, Oklahoma, and he found his passion for medicine at a young age. His father, a former U.S. Coast Guardsman, had a long medical history and was at the doctor’s often. Sometimes Aldridge accompanied him, and he was inspired to pursue a medical career after seeing the many interactions between his dad and Dr. Ike Hubbard.

After that, he talked to his high school career counselor. She suggested he apply to Langston University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program because the school’s licensure exam pass rate was better than that of the University of Oklahoma. Additionally, LU was more affordable and closer to his family. So, in the fall of 2005, Dear Langston became Aldridge’s new home.

For the next two years, Aldridge worked over 40 hours a week while balancing a full course load each semester and commuting from Cushing. It was hard, but he was determined. His professors were helpful and supportive, and one of his chemistry professors was particularly influential in his decision to enlist in the Navy.

“She never hesitated to ask if I was grasping the concepts in class at the end of every session,” Aldridge said. “Making small talk one day, I mentioned my father’s military background and said something like, ‘I would join if I was not currently enrolled.’ She supported the thought and also immediately offered to help search for more scholarships if I was struggling financially. I will always remember how supportive she was of me no matter what direction I wanted to go in life.”

In 2007, Aldridge decided to pause his studies and join the Navy as an enlisted Hospital Corpsman. His naval career has taken him places he never imagined. Over the past 19 years, he’s had the opportunity to work with wonderful people, learn from next-level leaders, and gain skills and viewpoints that he said will forever shape his life.

A patch on the helmet of a U.S. Navy diver that reads Recovery Diver Artemis 2 — Aldridge served as a first-contact medical provider inside the Orion capsule as part of the Artemis II Navy Dive Medical Recovery Team *(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class August Clawson)*

In 2017, NASA announced the Artemis Program, a moon exploration program made up of several missions of increasing complexity with the end goal of establishing a permanent lunar base on the moon.

When the Artemis II Mission was announced, Aldridge was excited to be named to its Navy Dive Medical Recovery Team. His initial excitement was quickly followed by nervousness and then eagerness to learn more about space medicine and physiology. Then the training began.

“Over the past few years, our team took several trips to NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory located in Houston, Texas,” Aldridge said. “These helped familiarize the team with the procedures and gear utilized in the mission. Along with those trips, we conducted several underway trips on various U.S. Navy ships where we would practice the mission with a training capsule in the open ocean.”

The Team’s years of training paid off. When the Orion capsule landed in the Pacific Ocean, they went straight to work.

Once they opened the capsule, Aldridge was the first person to make contact with the astronauts. He entered the capsule and began conducting initial medical exams for the crew. The Navy Dive Medical Team provided care as needed and then assisted the astronauts out of the capsule and onto a raft set up by Navy divers. They then prepared the astronauts for a helicopter airlift to the USS John P. Murtha for further medical evaluations.

Reflecting on the mission afterward, Aldridge was honored to participate. Growing up in Oklahoma, he never would have imagined he would one day work with NASA to care for astronauts returning from a lunar mission. He knows he wouldn’t have had the opportunity without the support of people throughout his life, from Cushing and Langston to his many naval duty stations.

“LU prepared me not only academically for life after college but also for life in general!” Alrdidge said. “To Langston University, my first home after high school, thank you for helping me build the foundation of who I am as a person and a student. Even though I never completed my initial goal of a degree from LU, I will always be a Lion at heart.”

helicopter with a Navy Diver hovers above the Orion capsule in the Pacific Ocean — Aldridge and his teammates prepped the astronauts to be airlifted by helicopter to the USS John P. Murtha. *(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Rowe)*

Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms 2025-26 cohort

From Guthrie to Global: LU Alumna Earns Spot in Fulbright Program

Release Provided By Ellie Melero

(This story was originally published in ‘E Roar Digital Magazine | Vol. 3 Issue 3 on April 24, 2026)

by Jet Turner

The kids scream in delight, sweat still dripping off their brows and smiles still on their faces as Danielle Jones unlocks her front door.

Her home’s cool AC hits them in a wave, saving them from the July sun. For Jones, summer break means days in the park and time outside with her children. Being a teacher, answering her emails – all thoughts in the back of her mind.

DING!

Until that email notification went off.

Usually, Jones would’ve ignored that email, especially after an exhausting day at the park. But she knew it was about time to see if she had received the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Award.

She pulled out her phone and clicked on the notification.

____________________________________________________________________

Danielle Jones — Jones is a 2019 graduate of LU’s master’s in urban education program.

Jones always knew she wanted to be a teacher.

“I love ‘Matilda,’ and I always wanted to be like Miss Honey,” Jones said.

She was always around children. Even from a young age, she would volunteer with her church’s nursery or vacation bible school. In middle school, Jones took a career test that suggested she should pursue teaching. That all but confirmed what path she wanted to take.

Jones attended Oklahoma State University after graduating from Guthrie High School, and she earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She spent some time in different career fields before returning to education.

A friend of Jones’ had just finished her master’s degree in urban education at Langston University when Jones began teaching again. Her friend kept telling her how great the urban education program was at LU and encouraged her to apply.

“I had been teaching for a couple of years at that point, and I was like, ‘A master’s wouldn’t hurt,’ you know?” Jones said.

Jones was accepted into the urban education program on the Langston University – Oklahoma City campus and began attending classes during the Fall 2017 semester.

She loved her time in the program, in large part because of the HBCU culture Langston University offers across all its campuses.

“It was really important at that time in life,” Jones said. “I think people think that once you become an adult, you have it all figured out, and you just don’t. I’m still learning. For me, I was still trying to figure out my identity as a Black woman and where I’m supposed to be, and how do I pour into children, Black and brown children, who look like me, and address stereotypes and biases? Just because we’re Black don’t mean we know each other’s story. The program allowed me to lean on people and hear their perspectives.

“If you want that type of culture, you can’t destroy that type of culture. You have to continue to embrace it and pour into it. I tell other students, ‘If you want a family, if you want to be a name and not a number, if you want people who want to see you succeed and will push you and will hold you to a higher standard, Langston (University) is the place for you.’”

Jones graduated with her master’s degree in urban education in 2019, and soon afterward began working at Putnam City North High School. Before then, she had never heard of Fulbright.

danielle jones and a fellow teacher during a Christmas themed dress down day — Jones was encouraged to apply to the Fulbright program by a fellow teacher.

A fellow teacher had applied to the Fulbright program many times before finally being accepted. They constantly tried to convince Jones to apply for the program, telling her, “When that application comes out, you need to apply.”

“But I’m a mom,” Jones said. “How’s this going to work?”

“You know what? I’m not going to stress about it. What God has for me is for me. I’m just putting myself out there, and I’ll pray that it works out.”

The Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program is a yearlong professional learning opportunity and short-term exchange for elementary, middle and high school educators from the United States to develop skills to prepare students for a competitive global economy. The program equips educators to bring an international perspective to their schools through targeted training, experience abroad and global collaboration, according to its website.

Participants in the program will travel abroad for two to three weeks to immerse themselves in another country’s culture and education system and create a global education guide that serves as a resource in their local community to share the skills, experiences and resources they have developed throughout the program, among other activities.

Jones applied to the program in February 2025. Then, the long wait began.

“I remember going to church, and our pastor had us do these cards with your prayer list,” Jones said. “I had that on my prayer list. I just wanted to give it to God and not even worry about it because I was starting to get anxious about it, especially because it takes so long to find out.”

_______________________________________________________________________

danielle jones and her class on a field trip — Jones was the only Oklahoman chosen to participate in the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms program this award cycle.

…the white light of her email app brightened her smile as Jones read the email.

She was accepted into the Fulbright program for the 2025-2026 year.

“They picked me, this little girl from Guthrie, Oklahoma,” Jones said. “I couldn’t believe it.”

It wasn’t until several months later that Jones learned she was the only recipient from Oklahoma selected to participate in the program for this award cycle.

Jones knows she’s not only representing the state of Oklahoma, but representing Black educators, Langston University alumni and so many others who helped her along the way.

“I was raised by a single father, and I’ve reconnected with my mom,” Jones said. “I’ve had a lot of mentors and teachers who always poured into me. Everything I do is to try to honor their legacy and the sacrifices they made for me.

“I feel like I did this for all of us. We’re all in the Fulbright program now.”

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.