News Archives - Page 3 of 13 - Langston University

Sherman Lewis Elected Chair of Langston University Board of Trustees for Urban Campuses

Release Provided By Jet Turner

By Jet Turner

Langston University alumnus Sherman Lewis was elected as Chair of the Langston University Board of Trustees for Urban Campuses during its meeting Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.

Lewis was unanimously elected to the position by a vote of 6-0, with two members of the board absent.

“It was very humbling for me to be elected by the members of the Langston University Board of Trustees to be chairman,” Lewis said. “It speaks to the desire for the board to be more active and productive in providing advice and counsel to the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents and the President of Langston University for the future of the institution and its primary function of providing a premier education for its students.

“Together, we will be successful in working toward the betterment of Langston University.”

Lewis has proven himself a stalwart supporter of Langston University throughout the years. Lewis was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2013 and is the most prolific individual donor in Dear Langston’s history.

In 2022 and for the first time in institutional history, an academic school at Langston University was named in honor of Lewis, establishing the Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences.

The Langston University Board of Trustees for the Urban Campuses serves in an advisory capacity to the president, providing insight and guidance concerning its Oklahoma City and Tulsa campuses. At the meeting, administrative representatives of Langston University presented reports from their respective areas, including the site administrators from both urban campuses.

Members of the Board of Trustees — Langston University Board of Trustee members during its Aug. 2 meeting.

According to Lewis, the Board of Trustees plans to work closely with the administration on topics such as buildings and facilities, faculty and staff recruitment, and long-range planning.

“Our goal is to make LU a premier HBCU here in Oklahoma and beyond,” Lewis said.

Additionally, Gayle Maxwell and Avilla Williams will remain as the board’s Vice Chair and Secretary, respectively.

Trustees Rita Combs, Dr. Claud Evans, Colonel Stan Evans, Melvin Latham and Darrell Strong were present during Friday’s meeting held at Langston University – Tulsa.

Broadcast journalism senior named 2024 White House HBCU Scholar

Release Provided By Ellie Melero

Langston University broadcast journalism senior Aniyah Robinson has been named a 2024 White House HBCU Scholar, the ninth LU student to receive this honor in the program’s 10-year history.

The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities announced its 2024 HBCU Scholars on Wednesday, and Robinson was among the 110 undergraduate, graduate and professional students to receive the honor. This year’s cohort was chosen from a competitive pool of over 350 applicants.

“We are very proud of Ms. Robinson for being selected as a 2024 Whitehouse HBCU Scholar!” said Dr. Alonzo Peterson, the Vice President for Academic Affairs. “Her outstanding achievements and dedication have earned her this prestigious honor. The Langston University family is proud of her, and we look forward to seeing her continued success and contributions in the future. Well done!”

Since 2014, the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities has recognized exceptional HBCU students who have excelled in academic achievement, civic and campus engagement and entrepreneurial ethos.

Over the past three years, Robinson has been heavily involved in the LU Gazette, LU’s student newspaper; LU Athletics as an intern; and the LU chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists, which Robinson helped restart. She is also a 2024 Rhoden Fellow.

“I have been given an amazing opportunity to represent Langston on a national level and showcase the greatness that Langston produces,” Robinson said. “As a black journalist, I understand the responsibility of amplifying diverse voices and perspectives in a media landscape that often lacks representation. Personally, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the unwavering support from Langston University’s Communications Department. Knowing the responsibility that I have as a journalist to advocate for the needs of our community is the reason I applied for the program.”

HBCU Scholars serve as ambassadors for the White House Initiative on HBCUs, the U.S. Department of Education and their respective academic institutions for the academic year. As an HBCU scholar, Robinson will ensure information, resources and opportunities from the Initiative are distributed to LU’s three campuses.

She will also receive professional development opportunities throughout the year, such as monthly masterclasses hosted by the Initiative and an opportunity to participate in NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project Innovation Tech Transfer Idea Competition. Robinson will also attend the 2024 HBCU Week National Conference from Sept. 15-19 in Philadelphia.

“Overall, this program is a great way to network with industry professionals and other talented HBCU students,” Robinson said. “With the upcoming election, I hope to utilize my platform to encourage students to utilize their voice by voting. Additionally, as a White House Scholar, I aspire to bring greater recognition to Langston University and exemplify the true meaning of ‘From Langston to the World.’”

Remote classes for select courses week of Aug. 5-9

Release Provided By Ellie Melero

Dear Langston University Students,

We hope you are excited to start the new academic year. Please be advised that during the first week of classes, from August 5-9, 2024, the following Langston Campus courses will meet remotely:

Business Administration
Computer Science
Corrections
Government
History
Humanities
Mathematics
Psychology
Sociology
Teacher Education

Students enrolled in these classes will receive instructions and links from their professors on their CANVAS detailing how to join the remote sessions.

All other Langston Campus courses will meet in person in their regularly scheduled classrooms.

Thank you for your understanding and flexibility. We look forward to a great semester!

Sincerely,

Alonzo Peterson, Ph.D.
Vice President for Academic Affairs

The 2024 OCPRA Awards trophies earned by the Langston University Office of Public Relations

Langston University cleans up at annual OCPRA conference

Release Provided By Ellie Melero

Langston University’s Public Relations team walked away with 18 awards at the annual Oklahoma Collegiate Public Relations Association (OCPRA) Awards Ceremony on July 15, including five Grand awards. It was the most awards won by a single institution.

This year’s awards competition received a record total 662 submissions across 37 categories from 31 departments/divisions at 24 institutions, making it the most competitive OCPRA awards competition to date. The competition included teams from Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma, the University of Central Oklahoma and more.

Langston University’s 18 awards are the most awards the university has won in a single year at OCPRA. Senior Graphic Designer Brandon Clemoens earned nine of the awards.

“It’s crazy to think about, but I remember a time when I would go to this conference and I wouldn’t even leave with an honorable mention,” said Clemoens, the longest-serving member of the team.

This year’s awards haul is reflective of the hard work done by LU’s Public Relations team to roll out the university’s “We Roar” campaign, which launched in October. Aspects of the campaign have included commercials, podcasts, video series, and traditional and digital advertising.

Langston University won awards in graphic design, photography, videography, social media, writing and web design categories. The team won five Grand (1st place) awards, five Excellence (2nd place) awards, five Achievement (3rd place) awards, and three Honorable Mentions.

Grand Awards

We Roar campaign components — The “We Roar” Campaign won first place in the General Campaign category at the 2024 OCPRA Awards Banquet. Components of the campaign included commercials, podcasts, video series, and traditional and digital advertising.

Campaign (General) – “We Roar” by the Langston University Office of Public Relations

Video Featurette – “We Roar” Commercials by the Langston University Office of Public Relations and 1577 Productions

Holiday Greeting – Black History Month by Brandon Clemoens

Poster Design (Sports) – Another Historic Lions Basketball Season by Brandon Clemoens

Social Media Campaign – “We Roar” Student Video Campaign by Ellie Melero

Excellence Awards

photos of student athletes roaring — Brandon Clemoens “Fear the Roar” Sports Photos won second place in the Series Photography category at the 2024 OCPRA Awards Banquet.

Cover Design – “Fear the Roar” Homecoming Fan Guide by Brandon Clemoens

Stationary & Business Cards – Langston University’s 17th President’s Stationary by Brandon Clemoens

Series Photography – “Fear the Roar” Sports Photos by Brandon Clemoens

Full-Length Feature – Nursing Students Save Man’s Life During Spring Break by Ellie Melero and Jet Turner

Full-Length Feature (Human Interest) – Reece Wright: The Little Lion Who Became the Heart of Lions Basketball by Jet Turner

Achievement Awards

Viewbook – 2024 “We Roar” Viewbook by Brandon Clemoens

Photos of Miss Langston University pageant participants next to versions of the photo where AI was used to create a curtain in the background — “Curtain Drop” by Brandon Clemoens won third place in AI Innovation at the 2024 OCPRA Awards Banquet.

AI Innovation – “Curtain Drop” AI Miss Langston University Pageant Images by Brandon Clemoens

Bright Idea (Alumni/Fundraising) – We Can’t Do It Without You, Lions by Jet Turner

Events/Promotion – “All In” Langston University Homecoming by the Langston University Office of Public Relations

Web Design – Langston University Website by the Langston University Office of Public Relations and the Design Group

Honorable Mentions

Cubism style instruments promoting the 2024 Spring Concert — Brandon Clemoens earned an Honorable Mention for his 2024 Spring Concert poster design.

Poster Design (Culture & Fine Arts) – 2024 Langston University Spring Concert Poster by Brandon Clemoens

Portrait Photography – A Proud Graduate by Brandon Clemoens

Shoe String – Graduation Recap Video by Ellie Melero

“As Oklahoma’s only HBCU, Langston University delivers a high caliber education and an incredible student life experience,” said Director of Public Relations Heleen Sheets. “Our Public Relations Team is so proud to promote our institution and share the people, stories and brand that define us.

“We were excited to represent Dear Langston at the OCPRA Conference and to have our work recognized among our peers.”

19th Annual President's Scholarship Gala graphic with Johnny Gill in the corner

New Edition’s Johnny Gill to perform at Langston University’s 19th annual President’s Scholarship Gala

Release Provided By Ellie Melero

Two-time Grammy award nominee and member of popular R&B group New Edition, Johnny Gill, will perform at Langston University’s 19^th annual President’s Scholarship Gala in Oklahoma City on Oct. 18.

The President’s Scholarship Gala is Langston’s premier event of the year. LU’s largest student scholarship fundraiser, the Gala always features performances from talented artists. Past performers have included A’ngela Winbush, Tamia and Charlie Wilson.

Gill entered the professional music world in 1983 at age 16 with his self-titled debut album on Cotillion/Atlantic Records. He went on to work with Stacy Lattisaw on their album “Perfect Combination” and released a second solo album, “Chemistry,” in 1985 before joining New Edition in 1987, following Bobby Brown’s exit from the group.

On his first album with New Edition, “Heart Break,” Gill helped the group find a more mature sound, which resulted in hits like “If It Isn’t Love” and “Can You Stand the Rain.” Gill continued to release solo albums in 1990, 1993 and 1996 for Motown Records before joining forces with Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat in 1997 to form L.S.G.

Gill reunited with New Edition in 2004 for “One Love,” and he has continued his work as a solo artist. His most recent album is 2019’s “Game Changer II.”

Gill, with New Edition, received a Grammy nomination in 1989 for “If It Isn’t Love” and a second Grammy nomination in 1991 for his self-titled album. He also won two Soul Train Awards in 1991 and a Soul Track Reader’s Choice Award in 2019.

UPDATE: Microsoft Outage Resolved, Gala Ticket Purchases Back Online

Release Provided By Jet Turner

UPDATE: The issue with Crowdstrike has been resolved. Langston University can begin processing ticket purchases again. Visit the President’s Scholarship Gala Website for more information! Update made at 10:15 a.m.

Langston University has been made aware of a technical outage with CrowdStrike, a Microsoft provider, which has affected our ability to sell tickers for the 19th Annual President’s Scholarship Gala. This outage has impacted numerous companies and business operations worldwide. The outage was unexpected and out of our control. The full impact of this outage is not known; however, tickets sold before 5:22 p.m. Central Time on Thursday, July 18, 2024, have been confirmed and will be honored.

In an effort to provide fair and equal access to the opportunity to purchase tickets, we have removed the link to purchase tickets from the President’s Scholarship Gala website. We will communicate via social media, email and our website with an announcement when tickets are once again available for purchase.

We appreciate your patience. Updates will be added to this story when more information becomes available.

Dr. Moore appointed to NIH director’s advisory committee

Release Provided By Ellie Melero

Dr. Corey Moore recently accepted an invitation from the Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra to serve on the advisory committee for the newly confirmed director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Dr. Moore is a professor and founding chair of the Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies at Langston University as well as the principal investigator and research director at the university’s two Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTCs). Under his direction, the RRTCs serve as centers of national excellence in disability and rehabilitation research and capacity building.

The NIH is the United States’ national medical research agency, as well as the largest public funder of biomedical and behavioral research in the world.

After Congress’ recent confirmation of Dr. Monica M. Bertagnolli as the new NIH Director, Dr. Moore officially accepted the invitation to serve on the advisory committee to Dr. Bertagnolli. The advisory committee consists of up to 20 members representing various universities and corporations in the United States.

The advisory committee makes recommendations to Dr. Bertagnolli, as well as the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Assistant Secretary for Health, on matters ranging from program development and resource allocation to regulation and policy. Dr. Moore’s service on this committee will give him the opportunity to help shape the priorities of the NIH, and he hopes to do so in a way that will positively impact all communities.

“Equity in biomedical and behavioral research conducted at the NIH is critical to optimizing health and preventing and reducing illness for people living with disabilities,” Dr. Moore said. “I am honored to provide my perspective to the board as an investigator who has advanced service and policy research in this area and the research capacity building knowledge base supporting the inclusion of people with disabilities in the scientific workforce across the federal disability and health/rehabilitation research ecosystem.”

Moore’s research has been published in 70 papers and has led to policy advancements. While at Langston University, he has served as a Principal Investigator for 20 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education research, training, and service grants whose combined totals exceed $30 million. He has held the prestigious national Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Distinguished Professor Endowed Chair, and his notable awards include the National Association of Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers Distinguished Service Award, the National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns Bobbie Atkins Research Award, the Vernon E. Hawkins Pioneer & Leadership Award, the National Rehabilitation Association Sylvia Walker National Multicultural Award, and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Inc. Outstanding Leadership in Faculty Research Award.

Dr. Moore’s appointment to the advisory committee is effective immediately and will end on Dec. 31, 2027.

A group photo of the NIH director's advisory committee — Moore (far left) poses for a group photo with the in-person attendees of the 127th NIH Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD) meeting.
Photo Credit: Marleen Van Den Neste / NIH Record

Chris Vincent Hired as New Women’s Basketball Coach

Release Provided By Jet Turner

LANGSTON, Okla. – Langston University Director of Athletics Donnita Rogers is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Vincent as the head women’s basketball coach for the Langston University Lady Lions.

“Coach (Chris) Vincent was a standout candidate during our rigorous interview process. Out of 54 applicants he blew our focus committees away with his attention to detail, preparation and determination to prove that he could meet some of our expected competencies within weeks of being hired,” Director of Athletics Donnita Rogers said. “His previous background working in the WNBA and extensive work with player development made him the perfect choice to lead our women’s basketball program.”

Vincent most recently served as the assistant coach for the Langston University men’s basketball program under current head coach Chris Wright. During his short time on Coach Wright’s staff the men’s basketball program has experience unparalleled success which includes the 2023-24 NAIA National Championship runner-up finish, back-to-back Sooner Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships and boasting a 66-5 mark during that time.

“I’m really excited, I’m at a place that I love, I know how it operates day-to-day and I know the success we’ve had on the men’s side the last two years, we’ve really established the culture that I think can translate to women’s basketball,” head women’s basketball coach Chris Vincent said. “Being 15 years in this business, in a variety of different roles at different programs I’ve taken bits and pieces to help mold myself and prepare myself for this moment. I’ve had other head coaching interviews in the past, but I just felt like this was the right time, the right move at the right place. You have to love where you are, I love Langston and I know deep down this program can be a national contender year in and year out.”

Wright said Vincent has been a key component in the Men’s Basketball Team’s accomplishments over the last two seasons.

“There is no way we have the success we’ve had without Chris Vincent. He has been instrumental in every single aspect of our program, as an assistant coach you often do not receive the credit you deserve and it’s true in this case,” head men’s basketball coach Chris Wright said. “Coach Vincent is a tremendous coach and even better person. I have no doubt that he will build the Langston women’s basketball program into a nationally elite program.”

The first-year head coach began his coaching career at the professional level where he served as an assistant video coordinator and assistant to the head coach for the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun under three-time WNBA Coach of the Year Mike Thibault during the 2012 campaign. While with the Sun he broke down opponent’s film and tendencies, while also assisting to daily coaching meetings discussing game plans, practice plans and player evaluations. Vincent also conducted individual workouts with the Sun players and assisted in formulating scouting reports.

Vincent’s coaching career has also included stops at Delaware, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Yale, Miami-Dade College, the University of Southern Miss and the University of Fort Lauderdale.

a picture of Jazmine Washington holding a volleyball

Jazmine Washington hired as new Lady Lions Volleyball head coach

Release Provided By Ellie Melero

LANGSTON, Okla. – Langston University Athletics is pleased to announce Jazmine Washington as the head volleyball coach for the Langston University Lady Lions.

“We are excited to announce and welcome Jazmine Washington, our new head volleyball coach at Langston University,” said Director of Athletics Donnita Rogers. “Coach Washington’s energy and passion for the game of volleyball are sure to be contagious as she prepares to lead our Lady Lions volleyball program and our campus community, alumni and fans are just as eager to watch her take our volleyball program to new heights.”

“I’m super excited to become a Langston Lion! Langston (University) holds a name that commands respect throughout the culture and the rich history that Langston exudes when spoken about makes me excited,” Washington said. “I am honored to receive the opportunity to be a part of Langston Athletics.”

Washington comes to Langston University after head coaching stints at Paul Quinn College, Philander Smith University and Florida Memorial University. During her time as head coach, she has produced one Conference Player of the Year, six All-Conference selections and was also named the 2021 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year for her efforts.

“Our goals for the Langston University volleyball program will be to produce a championship team, not only securing a ring but producing the mindset for the program’s future,” Washington noted. “We’re looking to win every season, not just this season.”

Washington was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, where she developed her passion for the game of volleyball. Throughout her upbringing, she’s played club, beach and collegiate volleyball and specializes in the setter and middle hitter positions. A graduate of Duncanville High School, Washington played collegiately at Palm Beach Atlantic University and later transferred to Philander Smith University.

During her time as a Panther, Washington received first-team All-Conference accolades and graduated with a bachelor’s in business administration. Additionally, Washington has served as a head coach on the volleyball club circuit where she coached athletes from ages 13 to 18 years old.

Photos: Wm Conrad Veterans Memorial Gardens’ Memorial Day Celebration 2024

Release Provided By Welcome

The Town of Langston-based Wm Conrad Veterans Memorial Gardens held its annual Memorial Day Remembrance Program on May 27. The program had an intentional focus on veterans who were/are Prisoners of War and those who remain Missing in Action. The remembrance was also intentionally focused on military personnel who have died in the last several years or months.

Many attended and/or participated in the program, including Langston University President Ruth Ray Jackson and other LU faculty and staff members. Please enjoy these photos from this year’s event. All photos were provided by the Wm Conrad Veterans Memorial Gardens.