Langston University: Oklahoma's Legacy of Historically Black Higher Education

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) stand as significant institutions in American higher education, fostering academic excellence and offering opportunities for students of all races to cultivate their skills and talents. These institutions hold a special place in the African American community, representing a source of pride and accomplishment. Langston University (LU), a public land-grant historically black university in Langston, Oklahoma, stands as a testament to this legacy.

A Unique Institution in Oklahoma

Langston University holds the distinction of being the only historically black college in the state of Oklahoma. Furthermore, it is the westernmost four-year public HBCU in the United States, solidifying its unique position in the landscape of higher education.

Location and Mission

The main campus of Langston University is situated in a rural setting in Langston, Oklahoma, approximately 10 miles (16 km) east of Guthrie. In addition to its rural campus, the university extends its reach through urban centers in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, thereby serving an urban mission. The Tulsa center shares a campus with the OSU-Tulsa facility.

Affiliations and History

Langston University is a member-school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, an organization that supports HBCUs and their students. The institution's roots trace back to 1897 when it was founded as the Oklahoma Colored Agricultural and Normal University. From 1898 to 1916, Inman E. Page served as its president. The establishment of Langston University was a direct result of the second Morrill Act in 1890. Poet Melvin B. Tolson, a prominent figure in African American literature, taught at Langston from 1947 until 1964.

Key Milestones

Langston University has marked several significant milestones throughout its history:

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Allied Health Facility: In March 2023, Langston University commemorated the opening of a new allied health facility on its Tulsa Campus. On August 2, 2024, the facility was dedicated as the Jack Henderson Allied Health Facility.
Presidential Transition: In August 2021, former university President Kent J. Smith Jr announced his retirement as the university's 16th president effective at the end of the Spring 2023 semester. The Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical Colleges Board of Regents appointed Ruth Ray Jackson as interim president beginning July 6, 2023.
Establishment of a Law School: A law school was established at Langston University in 1948 after Langston University graduate Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher was denied access to the University of Oklahoma's law school because she was black.

Academic Divisions

Langston University encompasses six schools that house its diverse range of degree programs:

Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
School of Arts and Sciences
School of Business
School of Education and Behavioral Sciences
School of Nursing and Health Professions
School of Physical Therapy

The university also offers the Edwin P. McCabe Honors Program.

Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

In 2005, Langston University received accreditation for its Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, further expanding its academic offerings.

Athletics

The Langston University athletic teams are known as the Lions. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Sooner Athletic Conference since the 2018-19 academic year. Previously, the Lions competed in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) from 1998-99 to 2017-18.

The Marching Pride

Langston University boasts a renowned marching band known as the "Langston University Marching Pride." This ensemble serves as a major ambassador for the university, providing support at athletic events and functioning as a training center for students interested in pursuing careers in music or developing essential life skills. Charlie Wilson, of The Gap Band, once served as Drum Major. The Marching Pride has performed for the Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Kansas City Chiefs, and has marched in front of huge crowds at the Georgia Dome, AT&T Stadium, the former Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, and has participated in four Honda Battle of the Bands, often marching in front of crowds of over 40,000.

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Land-Grant Status and Programs

Langston University holds land-grant status, enabling it to conduct extension and research programs. The E (Kika) de la Garza Institute for Goat Research is located at the university, and research is also conducted on topics such as grasslands resources. The Airway Science program trains aviation personnel, including pilots, in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration and Oklahoma State University.

Enrollment

Total enrollment exceeds 2,000. Notably, Langston University welcomed its largest freshman class.

Historical Context and Renaming

Langston University was established by Oklahoma’s territorial legislature in 1897 as the Colored Agricultural and Normal (teacher-training) University. It was coeducational from the outset. African American settlers raised money to buy land for the school, which opened in a Presbyterian church in 1898. It was renamed Langston University (for African American educator and public official John Mercer Langston) in 1941.

HBCUs: A Definition

The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, defines an HBCU as: “…any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary [of Education] to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation.”

Graduate Programs

Langston University offers several options for completing an advanced college degree. Three master level programs in education, rehabilitation counseling, and entrepreneurship are available, as well as a Doctorate in Physical Therapy.

Legacy of Greatness

As Oklahoma’s only historically black college or university, Langston University has a long legacy of greatness. Since 1897, it has produced generations of bright leaders prepared to change their communities and impact the world. The lion legacy of outstanding education begins with our esteemed schools of study. Smaller class sizes with more one-on-one attention from our knowledgeable professors as well as plenty of opportunities to participate in ground-breaking research means our students can be sure they are fully equipped to find a job in their desired field after graduation.

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