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 黑料网 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鈥檚 history

鈥満诹贤� 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,鈥� Dr. Jackson said. 鈥淥ver 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鈥檚 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.鈥�

Lewis grew up on a farm near Beggs, Oklahoma, and earned his bachelor鈥檚 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 黑料网 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 黑料网 Presidential Award of Excellence.

For more information about 黑料网’s commencement ceremony, please visit langston.edu/commencement.

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黑料网 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.

鈥淲e are incredibly proud to see our Rehabilitation Counseling program break into the Top 10 nationally,鈥� said Dr. Corey Moore, the founding director of the program. 鈥淲hile 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.鈥�

黑料网 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.

黑料网鈥檚 rehabilitation counseling master鈥檚 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鈥檚 distinguished faculty, and they have opportunities to participate in ground-breaking research at the department鈥檚 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.

鈥淲e 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,鈥� Dr. Moore said.

For more information about the Rehabilitation Counseling Program, please visit .

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Vincent came to 黑料网 as the Associate Head Coach of the men鈥檚 basketball team under Chris Wright in 2022, helping lead the greatest single season turnaround in college basketball history. Their remarkable success included two Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) regular season and tournament championships, two NAIA national tournament appearances, a runner-up finish in the 2023-2024 season, and an overall record of 66-5.

After two years in the role, Vincent was selected as the Head Women鈥檚 Basketball Coach in 2024.

鈥淲e recognized Coach Vincent鈥檚 leadership potential while serving as the associate head coach on the men鈥檚 side of our basketball program for two seasons, and that continued when he began to serve as our women鈥檚 head coach,鈥� 黑料网 Athletic Director Donnita Drain-Rogers said. 鈥淐oach Vincent鈥檚 passion for the sport of women鈥檚 basketball, recruiting expertise and the ability to quickly develop a winning culture are just a few reasons why he stood out when we were looking to fill our head women鈥檚 position in Spring 2024.

鈥淗is basketball IQ, recruiting expertise and leadership skills have been on full display these past two seasons leading the Lady Lions. He鈥檚 left his mark on the Lady Lions program in his short time here. We wish him well in all his future endeavors, and I鈥檓 looking forward to seeing him continue to blossom for years to come.鈥�

In his two years leading the , Vincent tallied a 55-9 overall record. He led the Lady Lions to back-to-back Sooner Athletic Conference regular season titles, one SAC tournament championship and two berths into the NAIA Women鈥檚 Basketball National Tournament.

During the 2024-2025 season, the Lady Lions advanced to the NAIA National Tournament Round of 16 and tied the program record for most wins in a season with 31. The Lady Lions finished with the No. 1 defense in the country and No. 2 in overall efficiency.

“Words cannot fully express the love and passion I have for 黑料网,鈥� Vincent said. 鈥淭he past four years have been nothing short of historic and memorable, but even more importantly, life changing.

鈥淚 am forever grateful for the opportunity to propel this program to an even greater place, not only winning four conference championships, tournament championships, and national championship appearances, but touching the lives of players, colleagues and alumni. The impact that has on 黑料网 surpasses any wins or losses.鈥�

Vincent鈥檚 player accomplishments include two Defensive Players of the Year, two Newcomers of the Year, and one Sixth Woman of the Year. Additionally, he鈥檚 had three players named First Team All-SAC, two players named Second Team All-SAC, one player named Third Team All-SAC and two players named Honorable Mention All-SAC.

黑料网 wishes Coach Vincent and his family the best of luck in their future endeavors.

鈥淐oach Vincent will be deeply missed,鈥� President Ruth Ray Jackson said. 鈥淗is dedication to 黑料网 basketball鈥撯�搊n both the men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 sides鈥撯�揾elped elevate these programs to an elite level. His service and mentorship extended far beyond the basketball court, leaving a lasting impact on the entire 黑料网 community. We wish him all the best at Purdue Northwest and continued success in all his future endeavors.鈥�

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“Coach Wright’s impact on 黑料网 basketball has become legendary in just a few short years,鈥� said 黑料网 Athletic Director Donnita Drain-Rogers. 鈥淭he program, culture and championship level of play he created set the standard for small college hoops. I look forward to watching his impact on NCAA Division I basketball and celebrating his future success.鈥�

In his four years at 黑料网, Wright has amassed a record of 121-21, bringing a winning culture back to LU men鈥檚 basketball. His teams have made the NAIA National Championship Tournament each year, finishing in the Round of 16 in 2023 and 2025 and as the National Runner-Up in 2024 and 2026.

Wright鈥檚 time at 黑料网 has been highlighted with many historic moments. After inheriting a program that went 1-27 in the 2021-22 season, Wright engineered the single greatest turnaround in the history of college basketball when he took over the program in 2022. The Lions finished that season at 31-3 overall and climbed to No. 3 in the national polls. The program became the first ever HBCU to win the Sooner Athletic Conference regular season crown along with capturing the SAC Conference Tournament Championship.

His teams went on to win the SAC regular season title in 2022 and 2023, and SAC tournament championship in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

During his time at LU, Wright鈥檚 players conference accomplishments include 2 Players of the Year, 3 Newcomers of the Year, 2 Defensive Players of the Year, in addition to 6 players on the All SAC First Team, 3 players on the ALL SAC Second Team, 4 players on the All SAC Third Team, 6 All SAC Defense players and 1 All SAC Freshman. Nationally, five of his players achieved NAIA All-American status.

Most recently, during the , the 黑料网 Lions achieved a 29-8 overall record, finishing as the runners-up in both the SAC regular season and conference tournaments and earning the Lions the 4 seed in the Liston quadrant of the NAIA Men鈥檚 Basketball National Championship Tournament. They battled through five other teams before eventually falling to Freed-Hardeman University in the national championship game 76-71.

“Over the past four years so many people have poured their blood, sweat and tears into transforming 黑料网 basketball into what it is now, one of the most successful programs at any level of college basketball,鈥� Wright said. 鈥淚 am beyond thankful to all of you that have played a role in this incredible transformation. Leaving LU has proven to be the most difficult decision I have ever made in my life. To say that I love this place is a vast understatement.

鈥淎lly, Reece and I are forever grateful for our time here. You have touched our hearts and have forever changed our lives. This is not a goodbye, but a, 鈥楽ee you later.鈥� L鈥檚 up.鈥�

The program boasted a 3.14 team GPA in the Fall 2025 semester and was named a recipient of the NABC鈥檚 Academic Excellence Award. For his efforts in 2022-23, Wright was named the John Hudson SAC Coach of the Year, the NAIA National Coach of the Year by Hoopdirt.com and the Jack Bennett Man of the Year, which exemplifies winning with integrity.

黑料网 wishes Coach Wright and his family the best of luck in their future endeavors.

鈥淐oach Wright鈥檚 influence elevated not only men鈥檚 basketball at 黑料网, but the institution as a whole,鈥� President Ruth Ray Jackson said. 鈥淭he expertise and passion he brings to the game is matched only by his care for our players and for their success beyond the court. I am proud of the four incredible seasons led by Coach Wright and his staff, and we wish him continued success at Alabama State.鈥�

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by Jet Turner

For many years, Dr. Ryan Johnson and the 黑料网 Department of Chemistry have worked diligently to create service-learning and confidence-building programs in STEM fields for high school students.

Dr. Johnson鈥檚 goal has always been to expand this work statewide, but he鈥檚 learned an important lesson during his endeavors.

鈥淓xternally funded programs are powerful but temporary,鈥� Dr. Johnson said. 鈥淲hen grants end, students lose access to support.鈥�

That鈥檚 why the Chemistry Department has shifted its focus to sustainability by embedding this work directly into 黑料网鈥檚 curriculum, building permanent pipelines that connect LU students to Oklahoma communities.

The Thomas E. English Chemistry Leadership Initiative is a curriculum-embedded service learning program named after 黑料网鈥檚 12th president, who emphasized education for community engagement and service.

黑料网 General Chemistry I students develop and deliver interactive chemistry demonstrations to local high school students, positioning themselves as experts and leaders. During the Fall 2025 semester, more than 25 LU students presented demonstrations at Frederick A. Douglass High School in Oklahoma City on Nov. 11 and 18.

For some of LU鈥檚 chemistry students, this was the first time they felt confident calling themselves 鈥渟cientists.鈥� That change in mindset doesn鈥檛 just help students pass chemistry; it shapes their entire STEM journey and career trajectory, according to Dr. Johnson.

General Chemistry I students designed demonstrations on topics like acids and bases, chemical reactions and states of matter. They practiced extensively, then taught 40-minute sessions to Douglass High School chemistry classes.

“This opportunity was encouraging for me because I got a glimpse of how well I can do in the education field as an instructor,鈥� said Oliviya Greenhoward, a General Chemistry I student last semester. 鈥淚 was so surprised, appreciative of and humbled by the experience.”

The department of chemistry is expanding the Thomas E. English Chemistry Leadership Initiative this semester and has submitted a research proposal to determine whether this type of teaching experience helps students build confidence in STEM fields.

鈥淭he goal is to create a replicable model that can scale across Oklahoma and beyond,鈥� Dr. Johnson said. 鈥淎 sustainable approach to STEM pipeline development that doesn’t depend on external funding cycles.鈥�

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by Ellie Melero

When Maya Offord arrived at 黑料网 as a freshman in Fall 2022, she was immediately greeted by a Student Ambassador.

The Ambassador welcomed her to Dear Langston and helped her find her way to student check-in. There, she met other Ambassadors who would continue to help her navigate the campus that was about to become her home for the next four years.

Throughout that first day, and her entire first week, Offord continued to have overwhelmingly positive interactions with Student Ambassadors. From putting on fun events in the evenings to doing 鈥渄orm storms鈥� to check on her and her fellow freshmen, the Ambassadors made sure Offord truly felt like she was a member of the Lion Pride.

鈥淎s soon as I got on campus that first day, my first people that I had were Ambassadors,鈥� Offord said. 鈥淚t really inspired me to go be an Ambassador because they were good mentors, and I was like, 鈥業 really, really want to be a part of that.鈥欌��

Offord is now a senior quad major鈥撯�損sychology, corrections, general studies and criminal justice鈥撯�揳nd she is the Student Ambassadors鈥� membership and training chair. She is one of the thousands of students and alumni whose time at school has been made all the better thanks to LU Student Ambassadors.

The 黑料网 Student Ambassadors is an organization made up of model students who want to elevate their HBCU through community service and peer mentorship. They serve as freshman orientation leaders, assist with campus tours, help with ceremonial events, and volunteer around campus and in the Town of Langston community. They are heavily involved with student activities across organizations, and they are experts in LU history.

Student Ambassadors are an integral part of LU, but for most of the university鈥檚 proud history, the organization did not exist.

A Directive from the President

When Dr. JoAnn Haysbert became the President of 黑料网 in Fall 2005, she gave Dezz Lewis a mission: create a student ambassador program.

鈥淭hen, all we had, really, was the McCabes, Mister and Miss Langston, Miss Black Langston and the three SGA elected officials,鈥� Lewis said. 鈥淭hose were your student leaders. And (Dr. Haysbert) said, 鈥楳an, we need more when people come to campus.鈥欌��

She tasked Lewis, who was the Director of Student Life at the time, with creating a new group of students who could serve as 鈥渁mbassadors鈥� to help represent 黑料网 during campus visits and other important events. She left it up to him to decide how the club would be organized and run, and he embraced the challenge.

Lewis knew he wanted the organization to be different from any other student organization. As a proud alumnus himself, he wanted it to be a way to instill school spirit and pride in students while shaping them into young leaders. He wanted it to create a sense of belonging on campus because he knew students who felt they belonged were more likely to finish college. Most of all, he wanted it to be impactful not just for its members, but for Dear Langston as a whole.

After brainstorming for a while, Lewis created a set of goals and measurable outcomes for the program. Then, he went to work.

He decided rather than follow the standard student organization model of the time, where clubs were run by presidents and a few other executive positions who made all the decisions, the Student Ambassadors would be run by the Ambassadors鈥� Council. They would create committees for the various aspects and functions of the organization, and each committee would have a chair. Each chair would have a seat at the Ambassadors鈥� Council. The Ambassadors鈥� Council Chairman would be the spokesperson for the organization.

With the framework established, Lewis began working out how he would train the Student Ambassadors. In addition to their role as student representatives during campus visits, the administration had decided the Ambassadors should also serve as orientation leaders during Lion Camp, 黑料网鈥檚 week-long freshman orientation program that takes place the week before classes begin in the fall semester.

鈥淲e needed orientation leaders for the freshman orientation,鈥� Lewis said. 鈥淪o when you drop your kids off, the first people you see are the Ambassadors. They鈥檙e your model Langston students, and they embody the Timeless Human Values.鈥�

Once he had a plan ready, he set to work recruiting students. In Spring 2006, the Student Ambassadors had their first official meeting with a class of 36 students. At the end of the summer, they attended the Student Leadership Institute and held a retreat to prepare for Lion Camp. In Fall 2006, new students were greeted for the first time by Student Ambassadors.

A Staple of Student Life

When Lion Camp ended, the Student Ambassadors remained. They were meant to be student leaders year-round, and they were meant to serve the entire campus community.

The Student Ambassadors would reach out to other student organizations and ask what support was needed. They would help recruit students to attend various club events as well as official university programs and sporting events. They cultivated a shared sense of school pride with their peers, and they worked to better the student experience for everyone.

They also continued to receive training. On Wednesday evenings in the fall, Student Ambassadors attended a leadership class with Dr. Haysbert, giving them direct interaction with their president and an opportunity to influence their campus.

Lewis also continued to train them himself, teaching them to recite the Timeless Human Values and the Profile of a Langston Student so that they might take them to heart and learn to embody those qualities. He taught them about the history of the university, and he taught them poems he hoped would inspire the students to continue to strive for success.

鈥淭hey learned everything that was poured into me as a young adult,鈥� Lewis said. 鈥淎 lot of affirmations and poems. They had a curriculum. It spawned out of conversations I had with my mentors in college, but most of all, my grandmother made me memorize every poem, affirmation you could think of. So, a lot of what they were doing was stuff that I learned as a kid and stuff I learned at Langston (University).鈥�

As the Ambassadors established their role in campus life over the next few years, Lewis continued to refine what he called 鈥渢he core鈥� of the program. He would add to the curriculum as he saw needs arise. He changed the membership process so that instead of recruiting specific students who had shown leadership potential, any student with a 2.0 GPA could apply to join.

Eventually, Lewis relinquished his role as advisor to the Student Ambassadors. Now, Dr. A. Dominique Williams, the Assistant Dean of Students in the Office of Student Life, serves in that capacity. Since taking over the role, Dr. Williams has continued to improve the organization.

She believes that as student leaders and representatives for the institution, the Student Ambassadors should be held to a high standard. Members must now maintain a 2.5 GPA minimum in addition to the thorough application and training process. Their role in the community has also been expanded.

After Lion Camp, the Ambassadors continue to mentor freshmen throughout their first year of school. They assist with campus tours and recruitment events like High School Day. They participate in service projects like serving meals in the cafeteria. A new service project they recently added was attending HBCU days at high schools and middle schools in Oklahoma.

鈥淭here鈥檚 still room for growth,鈥� Dr. Williams said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 still room for this organization to be bigger and better than it currently is. This is an awesome opportunity for students to be engaged and just spread the good word of Langston (University).鈥�

The Student Ambassadors have become a staple of student life at Dear Langston, and dozens of students apply each spring to be inducted into the program in the fall. With each new Ambassador Class inducted and freshman class welcomed, their impact continues to grow.

20 Years of Impact

After 20 years, there are many aspects of the Student Ambassadors program that have become tradition. Customs like 鈥淟鈥檚 Up鈥� and many spirit chants originated from the organizations鈥� early years. Saying 鈥淚 am a Langston Man鈥� or 鈥淚 am a Langston Woman鈥� when introducing oneself is now common. The 鈥淎sk Me鈥� t-shirts from Lion Camp are easily recognizable symbols of the club.

Now, students like Trinity King cannot imagine 黑料网 without the Student Ambassadors.

When King first came to Langston, the Student Ambassadors helped her feel at home. Her Ambassador mentor, Kayla, helped make her transition into college easier. She wanted to pass on that same support and encouragement she received, so King applied to become an Ambassador during the spring of her freshman year. Kayla even wrote her a letter of recommendation.

King was inducted into the Ambassador Class of 2023, and she has loved it ever since. She now serves as the Chair of the Student Ambassadors. As she prepares to graduate with her bachelor鈥檚 degree in animal science in May, King knows her time at LU wouldn鈥檛 have been the same without the program.

鈥淭hat first interaction I had my freshman year (with Ambassadors), it really changed my trajectory,鈥� King said. 鈥淟earning about the history of Langston, I take that to heart with me. I鈥檓 Langston ride or die.鈥�

King and Offord were both inspired to join the Student Ambassadors because they had felt its positive impact early on in their time at LU, and they continue to see how its influence impacts the campus community beyond people鈥檚 first years.

Many students join Student Ambassadors at the end of their freshman or sophomore years, and they often go on to become leaders in other student organizations afterward. King tells new students that Ambassadors is a great 鈥渟tarter organization鈥� because it helps you get involved on campus and teaches you to be an active member of the community. The program鈥檚 lessons on leadership, personal responsibility and school pride stay with you as you move on to your next club or internship or job.

鈥淚 believe Ambassadors shaped me into being a leader,鈥� Offord said. 鈥淎lthough I鈥檇 been in leadership roles in high school, I didn鈥檛 really get that experience until I got here. Being an Ambassador, it encouraged me to be a really good leader and also to take accountability. It also taught me it鈥檚 OK to go other ways and work with other people because when you鈥檙e a leader, you have to be able to be flexible.

鈥淎nd then it also helped me to love Langston (University).鈥�

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The engine growled beneath her as the propeller spun quicker and quicker. Bessie eased her canary forward, the nose lifting quickly. Soon, she was among the clouds, the roar of the audience becoming a distant rumble.

Showtime.

The wind screamed in her ears as she worked her canary into a loop, watching the earth twist and spin below her. Over and over she looped into figure eights. She couldn鈥檛 hear the crowd鈥檚 cheers from so high up, but she didn鈥檛 have to hear them to know they were impressed.

Bessie continued to twist and roll in the sky with her canary. Each trick a triumph; each stunt a defiance. Every time she stepped into her plane, soared in the sky and performed for the masses was an opportunity to defy all those who had told her, 鈥淣o.鈥�

on Jan. 26, 1892, in Atlanta, Texas, as one of 13 children born to Susan and George Coleman. Her birth was neither recorded via birth certificate nor written in the family Bible, for her parents could not read nor write. Despite the violence and barriers of the Jim Crow era south, George purchased a small plot of land in Waxahachie, Texas, where Bessie grew up.

She began attending her racially segregated school in 1898. The one-room building held grades one through eight, with only one teacher for all grades. Bessie walked four miles to school every day and quickly developed a love for learning and a determination that she carried with her throughout the rest of her life.

Bessie always dreamed of leaving Waxahachie and briefly did when she attended the Colored Agricultural and Normal University (later named 黑料网).

Although she could only afford one semester of college, that single semester sparked a lifelong passion for aviation when she read about the Wright Brothers鈥� first flight and the first American female pilot, Harriet Quimby.

Bessie couldn鈥檛 help but wonder what it would be like to fly like a bird.

Eventually, Bessie decided to chase her dream. Around the age of 27, she applied to nearly every American flight school but was continuously rejected because of her race and gender. When she realized that even the skies above America were segregated, she began applying to French aviation schools.

On Nov. 20, 1920, Bessie sailed from New York City to France. She spent a year applying to French flying schools, learning the language and saving up for her travels. When she arrived, she selected the Ecole d鈥橝viation des Fr猫res Caudron at Le Crotoy in the Somme. After seven months of training, she took the qualifying test for a license from the renowned Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), the only organization at the time whose recognition granted one the right to fly anywhere in the world. She was the first American of any race or gender to be directly awarded these credentials.

She returned to New York in September 1921 and quickly began traveling across the country, performing shows and advocating for equality. She dreamed of one day opening her own aviation academy for Black students.

In April 1926, while preparing for a show, an accident led to Bessie’s untimely death. Although she was only 34 years old, her advocacy and bravery continue to inspire generations. Bessie鈥檚 story is a testament not only to Black excellence and determination, but also to the impact education can have on an individual鈥檚 trajectory. In just one semester at 黑料网, Bessie Coleman found her lifelong passion and pursued that passion across the ocean and back, and she used it to fight for the equality of others.

黑料网 is proud of the legacy carried by alumni like Bessie Coleman, whose courage reshaped what was possible. Her life stands as enduring proof that access to education can ignite dreams powerful enough to challenge injustice, open doors for others and change history itself.

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The 黑料网 Department of Music will present The Chamber Collective musical performance on Tuesday, March 10. This collection of small ensembles will feature both choral and instrumental performances. The event will be held in the I.W. Young Auditorium on the Langston Campus at 6:30 p.m.

The annual Founders Day Program will be held at the I.W. Young Auditorium on the Langston Campus at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 12. The theme for this year’s program is “Honoring Our Past, Empowering Our Promise,” and the featured speaker will be Dr. Tiffany Crutcher, Founder and Executive Director of the Terence Crutcher Foundation.

Dr. Cruther is an alumna of 黑料网, and she is a nationally recognized justice advocate, community leader and social impact advisor. As Founder and Executive Director of the Terence Crutcher Foundation, she leads transformative initiatives focused on public safety, criminal justice reform, economic mobility and community healing. She also serves as a Founding Board Member of Justice for Greenwood, Senior Advisor to Black Tech Street and Advisor to Roc Nation鈥檚 United Justice Coalition.

黑料网 will end the week with the Inaugural Founders Week Celebration Gala in Tulsa on Saturday, March 14.

The Founders Week Celebration Gala, a black-tie optional event, will include a formal dinner, awards presentation and live music. There will also be a special presentation to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Master鈥檚 in Rehabilitation Counseling program, which has since spurred the creation of a bachelor鈥檚 program, the formation of the Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, the establishment of two federally funded Rehabilitation Research Training Centers, and the creation of a post-doctoral research program.

The Chamber Collective and annual Founders Day Program are free and open to the public. The Founders Week Celebration Gala is a ticketed event. Tickets can be purchased online at through Friday, March 6.

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by Heleen Sheets

Computer science is often ranked among the best college degrees in the United States, and U.S. News & World Report cites diverse career opportunities as one of the many benefits. Among STEM majors, a degree in computer science prepares students to thrive in technology-driven careers. These positions are often in high demand with leading companies who are focused on innovation and growth.

For those interested in computer science, 黑料网 is an excellent place to earn your degree.

Since spring 2021, the 黑料网 Computer Science program has boasted a 100% job placement rate. LU鈥檚 computer science graduates have all received jobs in their chosen industry, often solidifying their new jobs prior to graduation. In the past five years, 黑料网 has also realized a 95.5% enrollment growth in computer science.

Reginald Archibald II, Emoree Coley and Jathaniel Wakefield are just three of Dear Langston鈥檚 successful computer science graduates. Their preparation in mastering programming, algorithm design, data structures and developing software applications has paid dividends. In 2024, they earned their Bachelor of Science degrees in computer science. Today, they are living their dream with goals of achieving even more.

Reginald Archibald II

As an advisor and developer in commercial analytics for Phillips 66 in Houston, Texas, Reginald Archibald II is off to a great start. In this position, Archibald leverages his technical skills and tools in helping Phillips 66鈥檚 commercial business unit make more informed decisions to provide energy and improve lives.

Prior to graduation, he completed two summer internships as a software engineer with Boeing. Archibald also served as the lead computer scientist for NASA Rock On, where he contributed to the integration of a payload into a two-stage terrier Orion Rocket, and specialized in using a minicomputer to collect atmosphere data.

What Archibald appreciates most about his job is the 鈥済reat work life balance鈥� and the opportunity to network with fellow professionals.

The most challenging part of his job, Archibald said, is becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable.

鈥滼ust using problem-solving skills and networking that I learned from Langston helps me navigate through these real-world scenarios,鈥� Archibald said. 鈥淲e had conversations amongst peers and professors about scenarios and circumstances we may face in our careers and in the world. These deep conversations not only made me feel prepared in my technical skills and knowledge, but more importantly, my soft skills.鈥�

Ralph Grayson, chair of the computer science department, was instrumental in Archibald鈥檚 choice of major. Grayson鈥檚 influence continued throughout Archibald鈥檚 matriculation, guiding him through internships, projects and coursework.

鈥淚 saw how passionate he was about his students鈥� success,鈥� Archibald said. 鈥淗e allowed me into his classes my freshman year as a business management major to observe and ask questions of the upperclassmen about their experiences. I was able to witness students who came before me and land amazing careers, and I told myself, that could be me if I buckle down and hit my studies hard.鈥�

Archibald was awarded an Edwin P. McCabe Honors scholarship in addition to becoming an OK-LSAMP scholar. He was also chosen to attend the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute. His other achievements include being named the most outstanding computer science student and the Dr. In Hai Ro awardee for excellence in computer science, and becoming a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Grateful for his faith, his family, and LU faculty and professors, Archibald encourages those seeking to pursue their computer science degree to choose 黑料网.

鈥淚t鈥檚 more than a program,鈥� Archibald said. 鈥淚t is a family 鈥� from professors to the students. We uplift one another, hold each other accountable and recognize our peers鈥� successes.鈥�

Emoree Coley

Emoree Coley grew up in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. Today, she is an Information Technology Analyst with Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation in Nashville, Tennessee. She is a part of the Cat Financials program, a two-and-a-half-year rotational program that will allow her to gain experience in different areas of the company before being placed with a permanent team.

Currently, Coley is working with the Cat Vantage Rewards team where she spends most of her time developing and working on tickets in the Salesforce platform. She has also been given the title of Co-Chair for the rotational program, which is a leadership role.

鈥淚 have the opportunity to organize events, support recruitment and intern efforts, and represent my fellow members to influence the evolution of the program,鈥� Coley said.

Coley said she loves meeting new people, learning new things, and getting different experiences. The work is different than anything she鈥檚 done before, but she said her team makes it easy to figure things out, and she loves the work environment and company culture.

Coley transferred to 黑料网 from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University because of LU鈥檚 computer science program and the opportunities she knew she would have.

鈥�(LU) just felt like the right fit for me, and it definitely was!鈥� Coley said. 鈥淭he classes covered a wide range of topics and taught me how to think critically and solve problems in different ways. The professors were always willing to help and pushed me to be my best.

鈥淓ven though what I鈥檓 working on now is new to me, the preparation I received at 黑料网 has made it easier to adjust and keep moving forward.鈥�

Following in her father鈥檚 footsteps, Coley says she couldn鈥檛 ask for a better example to look up to. Growing up, she watched her father solve problems, build solutions and love his work. That passion made her want to pursue a career where she could feel the same way. He encouraged Coley to explore computers and technology from an early age. From there, her interest kept growing until she realized this was the path she wanted to follow.

She also credits her mom, grandmother, brother, boyfriend, closest friends and Grayson in helping her down this path.

During her LU journey, Coley achieved many awards and recognitions. Some of these accomplishments include being a USDA 1890 Scholar, a two-time Folds of Honor Scholarship recipient, making the Dean鈥檚 List every semester, and a triple scholar recipient (OK-LSAMP, TMCF, ITSMF).

Coley served as a member for several student organizations including Women of Purpose, the Computer Science Club, and LU NAACP. A spring 2025 initiate of the Apha Zeta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, she is also proud that as a transfer she completed her bachelor鈥檚 degree in three years, and received a full-time job offer before her final semester.

Jathaniel Wakefield

As Oklahoma鈥檚 HBCU, 黑料网 has a legacy of generational enrollment. Jathaniel Wakefield and his family are part of that legacy. His parents, Misty and Jay, met on the Langston Campus while pursuing their education. Two decades later, their son followed in their footsteps.

鈥淚 am legacy,鈥� Wakefield said. 鈥淥n top of being a McCabe Scholar and not having to incur any debt for my education, it made for very persuasive reasons to attend.鈥�

The younger Wakefield represented the family name well. Graduating summa cum laude, he quickly secured a job at Paycom in Oklahoma City as a Level 2 Developer and received his first promotion a few months later. Now as a Software Developer, Wakefield is responsible for the software development of new projects and applications. His duties involve testing and verifying functionality and then working with products to ensure their vision is properly applied.

Wakefield says the most enjoyable part of his job is the opportunity to solve complex problems by leveraging the tools and languages developed at Paycom, and to create a product that heavily impacts small and large businesses alike.鈥�

His connection to Dear Langston allowed Wakefield to meet Grayson. He helped Wakefield understand what computer science is as well as how to apply basic concepts to real world scenarios and in industry use cases.

“(Grayson was) very influential and helped me by providing opportunities and challenges to grow and develop my understanding of computer science and how to apply it,鈥� Wakefield said.

For those considering computer science, Wakefield recommends starting early and being responsible for your own development.

鈥淲hen you start early, it gives you time to understand and work with complex topics like data structures and algorithms, which are used heavily throughout the industry to solve problems dealing with large amounts of data and information,鈥� Wakefield said. 鈥淏eing responsible helps your drive to continue learning. Computer science is not a career that allows you to quit learning as more and more things are discovered and leveraged to improve performance and understanding.鈥�

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The Brothers of The Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity ,Inc., collaborated with Alexandria Wright, Director of Career and Professional Development, to donate professional men鈥檚 business wear to the 黑料网 Career Closet.

Wright reached out to Dr. Andre Washington, Associate Professor and Rehabilitation Counselor and Executive Director at the LU-OKC Campus, and informed him that the men’s department of the Career Closet was lacking. She asked him for some assistance.

Dr. Washington, in turn, reached out to his fraternity brothers to see what they could do.

鈥淭o donate not just to the brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi, but all young men on the campus, giving them an opportunity to get some things that they can enjoy and look professional,鈥� Dr. Washington said.

The Brothers of the Alpha Pi chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., along with the Langston and Oklahoma City alumni chapters, donated 28 suits, 35 pairs of slacks, 33 ties, 18 pairs of dark socks, two pairs of brand new dress shoes and several button-down collar shirts.

This is one of the largest donations ever made to the career closet.

鈥淚 just really wanted it to be a space where students could come and feel comfortable to find things that they may not be able to afford or be able to get themselves,鈥� Wright said. 鈥淗aving events like this where we have organizations make donations are so important to the survival of the closet.鈥�

The goal of the career closet is to provide students with new or gently used professional clothing attire. This is important because being in the Town of Langston can sometime prove make finding clothes infeasible. This causes students to drive outside of the town of Langston, so the Career Closet provides an alternative to the general expense of business attire.

Kevin Cox, Former state representative of Oklahoma City from 1980-2004, was awarded an honorary doctorate from 黑料网 in 2005 under the then-president, Dr. Earnest Holloway.

鈥満诹贤� has quality graduates that have achieved all over the United States and the world,鈥� Cox said. 鈥淲e already know that, but if you don鈥檛 show it, you won鈥檛 get a chance to prove it. You prove it in the interview and then become a successful individual.鈥�

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