by Jet Turner

LEARN

Sherman Lewis knew to wake up when he heard the rooster crow.

The sun was just beginning to peer into the windows of the bedroom he shared with his four siblings. Mom was already stirring in the other room. Lewis dressed quickly and began attending to his morning chores. The chickens, cows, pigs and horses needed to be fed, and the cows needed to be milked. Regardless of how tired Lewis might be in the mornings, the animals had to be tended.

The small sharecropper farm Lewis lived on was six miles south of Beggs, Oklahoma, and about half a mile from Toland Primary School. After the animals were cared for, Lewis and his siblings walked to school.

The trek took Lewis through farmland and dirt roads before he came upon the small, two-room schoolhouse where he was educated from pre-primer (what we now call kindergarten) through the eighth grade.

After finishing the school day, Lewis would return home and help care for the crops. The grit of the sandy loam soil worked its way under his nails as he tended to the cotton, corn, hay, black-eyed peas or other specialty crops. The flat farmland gave him a perfect view of the sunset

Afterward, his mother would sit Lewis and his siblings down by the kerosene lamp so they could focus on their homework and study.

“My mother, although she only had an eighth-grade education, thoroughly believed in getting an education,” Lewis said. “She emphasized it to all the children. We had a set time to do (homework)… she always enforced that at this time, you’re going to study. Now, after you do that, then you can have some time to play.

“She would always say to me, ‘Promise me that we––’ and she would always say ‘we,’ me and her ‘––are going to college.’ She wanted me to be the first one in the family to get a college education. She kind of drilled that into me.”

That idea was drilled in Lewis not just with the words of his mother, but also with her discipline and perseverance. Lewis had no choice but to feed the animals and milk the cows every morning. He had no choice but to tend to the crops, and he had no choice but to study.

This regimen continued throughout Lewis’ childhood. Eventually, he moved from Tolson Primary School to Beggs Wheatley High School where he continued to work hard and study even harder. College was always the goal.

Only Lewis and two of his four siblings graduated from high school.

Lewis kept his promise to his mom after graduating and enrolled at ������ so “they” could go to college.

His disciplined upbringing on the farm prepared Lewis for life at LU. Now, instead of waking up early to feed the animals and milk the cows, he started his mornings in the university cafeteria, washing pots and pans and preparing breakfast. His walks to Toland and Beggs Wheatley High School became treks across campus to attend class, and he would return to the cafeteria for lunch and dinner to continue washing the dishes.

Lewis would finish with the dishes around 8 p.m. every day, return to his dorm and study. His old routine rooted in him so long ago.

“Having a very disciplined life growing up on the farm prepared me extremely well for college because I already had that work ethic and didn’t mind working,” Lewis said. “Success is when preparation meets opportunity. My upbringing prepared me for the opportunity to go to college.”

Despite all the hard work, life at ������ is Lewis’ favorite memory.

Campus was even closer knit in the ‘60s than it is today. Many of the students were poor, and hardly any of them had a car. They mostly stayed on campus or visited downtown Langston, so campus events were essential to the social lives of Langston Lions. Dances at the Student Success Center kept them the most entertained.

But professors still had the highest expectations for their pupils. Lackadaisical students were not tolerated. Professors would call out students who were not doing their work in front of the class, and students would support each other by helping them study.

“You hear about ������ being a family,” Lewis said. “Well, that’s been the case forever. Everybody was here to help each other.”

Lewis graduated from ������ in 1964 with a degree in agricultural economics and a minor in mathematics, fulfilling his and his mom’s dream of becoming the first college graduate in his family.

Lewis couldn’t have known it at the time, but those four years he spent at Dear Langston would shape the trajectory of his personal and professional life for years to come.

“Having the opportunity to come to ������ and get an education is responsible for what I’ve achieved over my lifetime,” Lewis said.

EARN

Soon after earning his degree, Lewis joined the United States Air Force.

His service time was spent at Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base in Clinton, Oklahoma, working in the accounting and finance office during the Vietnam War from 1964-1966.

“I often tell people that I made sure the soldiers got paid,” Lewis said.

Much like he did during his childhood and collegiate career, Lewis found comfort in the structure and routine of the miliary. Just like on the farm or on the campus of ������, he developed habits that kept him consistent and reliable throughout his career.

After two years of military service, Lewis began working for the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) in what was then known as the Soil Conservation Service.

Lewis moved to Bristow, Oklahoma, to begin his training. Here, he worked directly with farmers and ranchers on conservation practices for a year before being promoted to a Soil Conservationist position in Lawton.

After three years in the position, the USDA approached Lewis with another promotion. This time, they wanted him to be a District Conservationist. The first Black District Conservationist in the country.

“The decision makers (in Oklahoma) and in Washington D.C. were trying to figure out if a Black District Conservationist could be successful working with white farmers and white employees,” Lewis said. “They decided to test it, and for some reason they selected me.

“Basically, what they were saying was, ‘If you succeed, we’ll select another (Black District Conservationist), but if you fail, we are not going to select another one.’”

Lewis didn’t have a choice but to be successful.

But to his surprise, Lewis didn’t run into the issues the “decision makers” were concerned about.

“They were seeing things that did not exist,” Lewis said. “As far as the employees and farmers were concerned, I had no problem. They just wanted someone to help them. They didn’t care.”

After two years of success as a District Conservationist, the USDA decided to give Lewis another opportunity. This time, to be the first Black Area Conservationist.

Lewis accepted the opportunity in 1974 and was sent out of Oklahoma to Spokane, Washington, where he was responsible for all of Eastern Washington.

Regardless of the role he was given, Lewis continued to break down barriers. He proved not only that he was capable, but that Black workers were capable of the same work white employees had been doing for decades.

Because Lewis had proven himself, the USDA decided to send him back to school for a little more education.

Lewis began attending Harvard University in 1976 and within a year earned his master’s degree in public administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, otherwise known as the Harvard Kennedy School.

After graduating, Lewis was sent to Boise, Idaho, as an Assistant State Conservationist. He was the first Black Assistant State Conservationist in the United States.

After over two years in the position, Lewis was made the first Black State Conservationist, sending him to Massachusetts, then Nebraska. He served in these roles until 1986, when Lewis was asked by the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture to move to Washington, D.C., to develop national policy for the advancement of civil rights within the USDA.

This made Lewis the Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.

Through this role, Lewis helped develop the 1890 National Scholars Program, place liaisons on all 1890 land-grant institutions and create the 1890 Centers of Excellence.

“I did that,” Lewis said. “I provided that leadership in putting those policies in place.”

These programs continue to benefit not just ������ students, but students at HBCUs across the nation.

After a year as the Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Lewis was reassigned back to the Soil Conservation Service as the Director of Conservation planning in Washington, D.C. After a year, he became the country’s first Black Assistant Chief of the Midwest in 1990. Two years later, Lewis was named the first Black Deputy Chief for Management and Strategic Planning.

During this time, Lewis began the National Organization of Professional Black Soil Conservation Employees. The goal of this organization is to assist Black employees with their training so they can move into middle and upper management positions. This organization is still active today. Lewis was also instrumental in changing the name of the Soil Conservation Service to the Natural Resource Conservation Service.

Lewis retired from the USDA as the Deputy Chief for Management and Strategic Planning in 1997.

Dr. Ernest Holloway, the 14th President of ������, convinced Lewis to retire early.

“Whenever Dr. Holloway was in D.C., he would always stop by my office,” Lewis said. “He would always say, ‘As soon as you’re able to retire, we need you to come back home and help us start a new program out there in outreach management.’

“I had not planned on retiring in 1997. I was only 56 years old. If he had not asked me to do so, I would have worked for another three, four or five years in Washington, D.C. I retired on a Friday morning in 1996, and the following Monday in 1997 I started to work (at ������).”

Drawing on decades of federal and state relationships, Lewis created the Center for Outreach Programs, securing grants and cooperative agreements with several agencies, eventually bringing in around $5 million a year. These funds not only sustained Dear Langston’s outreach work but also supported other university programs.

After Dr. Holloway’s retirement, Lewis became the Assistant Administrator for Extension, continuing to serve the ������ community until 2006.

“I felt like I finally had something to offer ������,” Lewis said. “������ had been very good to me and helped me be what I was at the time and what I am today. So, I wanted to give something back to LU. It was one of the best decisions I ever made.”

RETURN

Within five years of graduating from ������, Lewis started giving back to the university every year.

It started small. At first, it was maybe $100 a year. But as his professional life grew, so too did his giving.

While working at ������, Sherman began a private business in Houston, Texas, with his son and daughter. When he retired from LU in 2006, Lewis began working in that business full-time. It began to flourish.

This allowed Lewis to start giving to the university in a major way, with his first large donation being made in 2015.

In 2018, Lewis and his family sold the business. This gave Lewis the time and means to really focus on his philanthropy. Now, he’s the largest individual donor in ������ history.

“I’ve always wanted to be a philanthropist because I know the value of giving back,” Lewis said. “I’m so proud of that philanthropy. I think back to the founders of ������ who were doing whatever they could to raise $5,000 (in the 1890s). Baking, selling blankets, whatever it took.

“They weren’t doing that for themselves. It’s about the future, about future kids and about their education. They were philanthropists, but they didn’t have a lot of money. They had a vision. That’s my philosophy, doing something now to help future generations.”

Lewis remembers hearing some smart person say the words “Learn. Earn. Return.” The phrase immediately resonated with him. Now, he lives by that motto.

Because of Lewis’ generosity, he became the namesake of the Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences in 2022, the first named school in LU history.

At this year’s Commencement Ceremony, Lewis served as the commencement speaker and was honored with the conferral of an honorary doctorate in humane letters.

“It’s an extreme honor,” Lewis said. “I’m the first in my family to ever receive a college education. If my mother and sisters and brother were here today to know I was receiving an honorary doctorate from ������, they would be so proud of that.

“I’m proud of it not for myself, but for my family. For my daughter and son. To show young people that anything is possible, but you must be willing to help others.”

But giving isn’t about the accolades and honors received.

To Lewis, It’s about the future of ������.

“You came to ������ to learn,” Lewis said. “Now you’re ready to go out to earn money. Be willing to return some of those earnings to ������ to educate someone else 100 years from now, the same way people in 1890 did for you.

“If more of us adopted that saying, ������ would be strong for a long, long, long time.”

The post Learn, Earn, Return: The Legacy of Sherman Lewis appeared first on ������.

by Ellie Melero

������’s annual Commencement Ceremony is a joyous event filled with many meaningful traditions, and one of the most prized of these is the tradition of the School Flag Bearers. As the graduates process onto the field at the beginning of the ceremony, each academic school is led by their dean and one of their peers who carries the school flag. These coveted positions are awarded to the graduates with the highest grade point averages from each school. It is a recognition of their hard work and stellar academic performances throughout their time at Dear Langston. Meet the School Flag Bearers for the Class of 2026.

Jake Landes

Doctor of Physical Therapy, School of Physical Therapy

Jake Landes has always believed in helping others. He grew up in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, and his small town upbringing taught him the importance of community and service. So when he graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2023 with his B.S. in General Studies, after earning his associate’s in biomedical sciences from Northern Oklahoma College in 2020, it made sense to choose a career that was all about helping people.

“I chose physical therapy because I wanted to have the ability to have a direct impact on people’s quality of life,” Landes said. “Physical therapy combines science and critical thinking, allowing me to use my mind to solve complex problems and my hands as tools to help restore function, movement and independence.”

With this goal in mind, ������ seemed like the perfect fit for Landes. The smaller class sizes appealed to him, and the program’s affordability made it feasible to pursue his dream of being a physical therapist. Additionally, the university’s values aligned with his own.

“I decided to attend ������ School of Physical Therapy because of their focus on servant leadership, and the opportunity to be a part of a program that values clinical excellence and serving the underserved,” Landes said.

Landes excelled right from the beginning. His first year, his classmates elected him Class President. In this role, he advocated on behalf of his classmates and organized community service projects. In class, his professors mentored him. They guided him as he developed his clinical reasoning and professionalism, and they instilled confidence in him.

Landes built strong relationships with his classmates. They had class outings, both class-related and just for fun, and they attended the APTA Combined Sections Meeting in Houston together where they had the opportunity to network, learn and grow professionally. He said some of his favorite memories from the program were the late-night study sessions he hosted with his friends, as well as tailgating during Homecoming.

After graduation, Landes plans to work as a travel physical therapist to continue developing his clinical skills in different settings and communities. Eventually, he plans to transition into an outpatient clinic with the hopes of owning his own clinic one day.

“������ School of Physical Therapy has prepared me academically, clinically and professionally,” Landes said. “This program pushed me to develop strong clinical reasoning, confidence in patient care, and leadership skills that I will continue to develop into my career. Being selected as Flag Bearer represents not only my journey, but the support of my family, classmates, faculty and everyone who helped me along the way.”

Ereca Camero

M.S. Rehabilitation Counseling, Graduate Programs

After graduating with her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Cameron University in 2021, Ereca Camero found her way into the field of tribal vocational rehabilitation services. In this line of work, she supports individuals with disabilities and mental health challenges in achieving their vocational goals. In 2024, she decided it was time to take the next step forward in her career.

That fall, she enrolled in ������’s Rehabilitation Counseling master’s program.

“I chose Rehabilitation Counseling because I am passionate about helping individuals overcome mental health challenges, disabilities and vocational barriers,” Camero said. “I wanted to develop the skills needed to support clients in achieving independence, stability and meaningful employment opportunities. And I chose ������ because of its strong reputation for supporting diverse student populations and its commitment to academic excellence and community impact.”

Camero thrived at LU. Throughout her master’s program, she learned about applied counseling concepts through case studies and clinical practice scenarios which strengthened her understanding of client needs and evidence-based counseling approaches. The program’s faculty became her mentors, providing guidance, encouragement and valuable professional insight throughout her academic journey.

As she continued to perform well in her classes, Camero was invited to join Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International (CSI). The invitation was a recognition of her academic excellence and professional potential in the field of counseling, and she became a proud member of the Lambda Upsilon Chapter at ������.

After graduation, Camero plans to continue working in tribal vocational rehabilitation services while expanding her professional experience in counseling and advocacy.

“������ has thoroughly prepared me for my next steps by providing both academic knowledge and practical application in rehabilitation counseling,” Camero said. “The program has strengthened my confidence and readiness to continue to work in the field. Some of my favorite memories (from the program) include engaging in meaningful class discussions, collaborating with classmates on assignments and case studies, and growing both personally and professionally throughout the program. The relationships built with peers and faculty made the experience especially memorable.”

Kobe Law

B.B.A. Management, School of Business

An Oklahoma City native, Kobe Law came to ������ in Fall 2022 as a student athlete. He was a basketball player with interests in business and finance, and he knew ������ was the perfect place for him to grow as an athlete and a young entrepreneur.

“I decided to attend ������ because it offered a strong Black atmosphere, a supportive campus community and meaningful opportunities for leadership development,” Law said. “I began my journey at LU as a collegiate athlete on the basketball team through an athletic scholarship, which made Langston the right fit for both my academic and personal goals.”

Law majored in Business Administration–Management with a minor in finance. He chose those programs because he knew management would help him understand leadership and operations while finance would strengthen his ability to make strategic decisions and build long-term value.

During his time at LU, Law participated in several student organizations which he said helped him grow as a leader, communicator and more well-rounded person in professional settings. This included becoming the Co‑Founder and Director of Operations of the ������ Collegiate Chapter of DECA, the Public Relations Chair for Gents, a member of Delta Mu Delta, a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, a member of the Langston Chamber of Commerce and a student leader in the School of Business.

Law also participated in research as part of the Langston Community Plaza Feasibility Study, which aimed to integrate technology, business innovation and entertainment to create a vibrant community hub for families, entrepreneurs, students, visitors and professionals. Law presented his research in a pitch competition and won first place, receiving a $3,000 award and a three‑day trip to Washington, D.C., to attend the 2025 HBCU Entrepreneurship Empowerment Summit.

“My feasibility study evaluated the project’s potential by analyzing market demand, technical requirements, financial sustainability and operational feasibility,” Law said. “Through this project, I gained skills in first‑hand and second‑hand research, forecasting, project management and professional presentation.”

Law’s professors supported and encouraged him throughout his time at LU, and he considers Dean Daryl Green, Michael Hamilton and Dr. Charles Mambula to be his biggest mentors. After graduation, Law plans to become a project manager and pursue his MBA and a PMP License. Eventually, he wants to become a business consultant.

“Langston prepared me through rigorous coursework, mentorship and leadership experiences that strengthened my professionalism, discipline and strategic thinking,” Law said. “I’m proud to represent LU and excited to carry what I’ve learned here into the next chapter of my life.”

Delisha Carter

B.S. Agribusiness, Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences

As a student at Landry Walker High School in New Orleans, Louisiana, Delisha Carter started her college search with the intent of studying accounting and finance. As she researched schools, LU stood out to her because it was Oklahoma’s only HBCU. Further research into the history of the institution, its campus life and its academic reputation convinced her to apply, and she was accepted with scholarships. She enrolled in Fall 2022, and Dear Langston quickly became a place she was happy to call home.

Carter got involved on campus right away. She has been a member of the Manners Club since 2022, serving as Vice President for the 2025–26 term. She has also served as the Public Relations Officer for the ABAC Club since 2024. Since Fall 2023, Carter has worked as a Resident Assistant, and she received the RA of the Year award, a Leadership Advocate Award and recognition for maintaining a 3.5 GPA within University Housing departments.

“Some of my favorite highlights at Langston have been the relationships I built with my friends, who have continuously motivated and supported me,” Carter said. “I also cherish the opportunities I’ve had to attend conferences and represent the university, as well as moments where I was able to lead and grow as a student leader.”

Carter made sure to take advantage of networking opportunities throughout her time in school, and she eventually met LU alumna Jateya Jackson. Jackson introduced Carter to the wide range of opportunities within the agriculture field, and Carter decided to change her major to Agribusiness with a minor in accounting.

“Since making that decision, I have not looked back,” Carter said. “I have grown to truly appreciate how diverse and impactful the field of agriculture is.”

After graduation, Carter plans to pursue a career in the corporate sector while working toward becoming a successful businesswoman. Her long-term goal is to own a real estate firm. Thanks to her professors, mentors and her advisor, Dr. Nyairo Newton, Carter is confident she’s prepared for what comes next.

“(������) has shaped me into the woman I am today and has instilled in me the drive to continue striving for excellence,” Carter said. “I am thankful for the experiences, growth and opportunities that Langston has provided me. The long nights and early mornings have all led to this moment, and I am proud to carry the legacy forward.”

Samiya Robinson

B.A. English and B.B.A Finance, School of Arts and Sciences

Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Samiya Robinson has always been familiar with ������ because it’s her great aunt’s alma mater. She understood the unique cultural and historical significance LU holds as Oklahoma’s HBCU, so she decided to apply and was accepted into the Edwin P. McCabe Honors Program. She came to LU in Fall 2021.

Though she originally chose LU because of her McCabe Honors scholarship, she soon fell in love with Dear Langston, and she is proud to be part of the same legacy as her great aunt.

Planning to pursue a career in business, Robinson chose to double major in English and Finance. She chose Finance because she hoped to develop her analytical and strategic thinking skills, and she chose English because she saw the growth and transformation the department has experienced in recent years and wanted to be part of it.

“The English Department pushed me to expand beyond technical skills and really develop my voice, especially in terms of creative expression and rhetoric,” Robinson said. “Together, these programs have allowed me to think both analytically and critically, blending business strategy with creativity and communication in a way that I believe is essential for leadership.”

Robinson also worked to become a leader outside the classroom. She joined the Iota Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., in Spring 2022, and she said the sorority has been central to her leadership development and college experience. She has served as her chapter’s Vice President, President and Parliamentarian. She has also served as both a National Pan Hellenic Council and chapter delegate.

Beyond Greek life, Robinson worked in the LU Writing Center as a tutor and she served as the Community and Public Relations Chair for the School of Business. She is a Overnight Assistant for Residential Life and Housing Services. She is also a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, the National Council of Negro Women, the School of Business Student Advisory Board, Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society, and Delta Mu Delta International Business Honor Society.

After graduation, Robinson will head to Minnesota as part of the 2026 NBA x HBCU Fellowship. She will spend the summer working in Community Engagement with the Minnesota Lynx and Timberwolves organizations.

“My experience here has shaped me in ways that go far beyond academics,” Robinson said. “More than anything, Langston has taught me growth both personally and socially. The 22-year-old I am today exists because my 17-year-old self made the decision to step outside of her comfort zone and choose a school just four hours from home as a place to grow into who I am.”

Kaitlyn Mitchell

B.S. Nursing, School of Nursing and Health Professions

Kaitlyn Mitchell first discovered her passion for nursing as a student at Perry High School in Perry, Oklahoma. Her mother is a registered nurse, so she grew up with a lot of exposure to the field. When she got to high school, she decided she wanted to learn more. She took classes and became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), and she continued working as a CNA until she graduated.

“I started working as a CNA in high school and fell in love with it,” Mitchell said. “I wanted to be able to do more for people, so I decided to become a nurse.”

Once Mitchell realized this was her calling, she started looking into nursing programs in Oklahoma. Her mother’s coworkers highly recommended ������, and it didn’t take Mitchell long to understand why.

She enrolled at LU in Fall 2022, and her professors made it clear early on that it would take a lot of hard work and dedication to earn her BSN. Mitchell was more than up for the challenge. She studied hard for her classes and made the most of her time in clinicals, and she excelled.

Outside of nursing, Mitchell was a member of the Edwin P. McCabe Honors Program, and she was also a member of the ������ Quiz Bowl Team. She made friends and had fun, but school was her priority.

“Getting into the nursing program was a highlight (of my time at LU),” Mitchell said. “But also, I think nursing pinning and graduation will be my favorite memories since it highlights all my hard work paying off.”

After graduation, Mitchell plans to spend her first year focusing on being a newly graduated registered nurse and gaining experience. Later, she plans to continue her education to eventually become a nurse practitioner.

“I honestly feel like Dr. Hunter has done a good job preparing me for what comes next,” Mitchell said. “But I am absolutely glad it is over, and I made it to this point.”

Brooklyn Noiel

B.A. Psychology and B.S. Corrections, School of Education and Behavioral Sciences

Originally from Oklahoma City, Brooklyn Noiel has always been a stellar student. She graduated in the top 10% of her class from Moore High School in 2022 before enrolling as a quad major–double bachelors in corrections and psychology and double associates in criminal justice and general studies–at ������ that fall.

Noiel knew she wanted to be a lawyer, and she knew ������ was the perfect place for her to earn her bachelor’s degree and prepare for law school.

“I decided to attend ������ because it offers a strong sense of community, academic excellence and opportunities for personal growth,” Noiel said. “Attending ������ allows me to grow academically, professionally and personally while being part of a legacy of excellence.”

From the beginning, Noiel was drawn to the supportive environment at LU. As Oklahoma’s HBCU, ������ celebrates culture, develops leaders and empowers students to reach their highest potential. That’s exactly what Noiel wanted.

That supportive atmosphere helped Noiel excel in and out of the classroom.

She was an LU Ambassador, serving terms as the Historian and the Chief of Staff; a Resident Assistant; a member of Legal Lions, where she served as Treasurer; a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated, where she served as the Recording Secretary; and a member of the Scholar’s Club, where she was Secretary and Miss Scholars’ Club. She was also part of LU’s student chapters of the National Council of Negro Women and the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice. She sang in LU’s Concert Choir, serving as the Wardrobe Lead and President, and she participated in the Student Government Association Senate, where she served as an Associate Justice to the Chief Justice,

After graduation, Noiel will intern at MedPro Group as their Inclusion and Engagement Intern in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In addition to her internship, Noiel plans to study for the LSAT with hopes of attending law school in Fall 2027.

“I truly feel that ������ has prepared me for what comes next,” Noiel said. “My time here has given me not only a strong academic foundation, but also the confidence, leadership skills and resilience needed to pursue my future goals. Through the support of faculty, staff and fellow students, I have grown personally and professionally, and I feel ready to take the next step toward law school and my career aspirations.”

The post Leading the Pride: Class of 2026 School Flag Bearers Share Their Stories appeared first on ������.

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.”

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 ������ 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.

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.

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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 ������ 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.”

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 ������’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.

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 ������, 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.”

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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.

____________________________________________________________________

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 ������ 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 ������ – 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 ������ 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.

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.”

_______________________________________________________________________

…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, ������ 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.”

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by Ellie Melero

When Ayana Spriggs Talley first entered the tech industry, everything was changing.

A teenager in the ‘90s, Talley was part of the first generation to grow up with consumer access to the internet. She experienced first-hand how it changed everyday life, and seeing its massive impact made her want to learn more.

She got her chance at Oklahoma State University’s College of Business Administration.

Talley enrolled at the College of Business Administration, now known as the Spears School of Business, with the intention of following in her mother’s footsteps to become a businesswoman. A conversation with an advisor opened her eyes to new possibilities.

“I wanted to work in business because that’s what I saw my mom doing,” Talley said. “She was a professional, and so she went to the office every day. She dressed in a suit. And I thought that’s the type of career that I wanted. So, I went to college wanting to have a business degree. I spoke with my academic advisor to explore what I was interested in, and she said, ‘Hey, we have this somewhat new degree: MIS.’”

Management Information Systems (MIS) combined business and computer science, and it was exactly the type of program Talley was looking for.

The program allowed her to pursue both of her interests, and she thought it was exciting to go to school at a time when the tech industry was experiencing so much growth. The program prepared her well to enter that rapidly growing workforce, and she accepted a position as a technology consultant at Accenture Consulting when she graduated in 2000.

“We had the, you know, the start of technology just really growing all over the United States, all over the world,” Talley said. “So, it was a really great time to be in that field. There were lots of job opportunities, lots of internship opportunities. So, it was thriving and booming and evolving, and I was excited to be a part of it.”

Accenture Consulting was one of the Big 5 consulting firms, and they sent Talley all over the country to implement technology projects for major corporations. The job offered her exposure to a variety of companies and business models for six to nine months at a time, and it helped her cultivate her love for travel.

Talley’s time at Accenture helped her grow in her field and as a professional, but she eventually decided it was time to come back home.

“I fell in love,” Talley said. “My husband–boyfriend at the time–was in Oklahoma, and so was family. So, love and family brought me back to Oklahoma.”

Talley moved back and found a job in the oil and gas industry. She spent the next decade and a half working at companies like Devon Energy and OG&E. During that time, she honed her expertise and proved her abilities, rising through the ranks.

As a Black woman in a male-dominated industry, it was challenging at times. On several occasions, she couldn’t help but notice she was not only the sole woman but also the sole person of color in meetings or on teams. She never let that deter her. Her hard work earned her leadership positions, and she used those opportunities to support her fellow women in the workplace.

Breanna Hites, a customer success manager at Microsoft, worked with Talley at Devon Energy, and she remembers how important that support was to her. Talley not only made work fun, but she also made it a safe space for Hites to be herself. Talley was welcoming from the start when Hites started at Devon Energy, and she said Talley always had the mindset of “the more the merrier” when it came to women in leadership positions.

“She was always a big advocate with me,” Hites said. “She was always someone I could lean on and count on to be a supporter in a place where we were some of the few women on leadership in the IT department.”

Talley has always been driven to try to open the doors of opportunity for others because she knows she wouldn’t have experienced her own success without the help of her mentors. This desire to help others isn’t limited to the workplace.

As she and her husband, Henry, began to find success in their careers, they decided they wanted to give back to their community. As graduates of Star Spencer High School in Spencer, Oklahoma, they were familiar with the needs of their hometown. Together, they founded the Talley Community Service Foundation.

The initiative started when Henry, a barber and salon owner, began receiving calls from mothers who couldn’t afford haircuts for their kids at the beginning of the school year. He offered to cut their hair for free, and it slowly turned into an annual back-to-school event with free haircuts and school supplies.

They began to work with other organizations, and the event grew into a community resource fair. They decided to formalize their service initiative into the Talley Community Service Foundation, which allowed them to receive more donations and apply for grants to expand their work. Now, they host several events each year, such as coat drives and food giveaways, and offer scholarships to students from Spencer.

“Whatever we can do for our community, we try to do,” Talley said. “Especially to make sure those students are ready to go back to school, and that they have the tools that they need to succeed.”

In 2023, Talley decided she was ready for something new.

Growing up in Oklahoma, Talley has always been familiar with ������. Her friends and family who attended LU left the school with fond memories, so when the role of director of Information Technology Services (ITS) opened, Talley decided to apply. In October 2023, Talley officially joined the LU family as the Executive Director of ITS and Computer Technology Integration.

“I really enjoy working here,” Talley said. “I am on board and aligned with the mission of the university, and I just think about my role as bridging the gap so that, you know, students, faculty and staff won’t have any technology limitations to be able to do the really great work that they do. So, I want to be able to smooth that out so that technology is not something that limits or causes issues, but elevates and supports all of the wonderful work we’re doing here.”

In her role, Talley has the opportunity to work with departments across LU’s three campuses. Her teams provide critical support to the LU community, ensuring students have access to needed class materials, faculty have the tools needed for research, and much more.

She also has the opportunity to support and inspire the future of women in STEM, especially Black women interested in computer science and technology, by being an example of success for LU students. She doesn’t limit herself to just LU students, though.

Talley is an advisory board member for Oklahoma Women in Technology (OKWIT), which is an organization dedicated to supporting women in the tech field throughout Oklahoma. The goal is to encourage more girls to pursue STEM careers and to support women in the industry as they pursue leadership roles. It’s a mission Talley takes to heart.

“Through the years, I have always had mentors and people that supported and encouraged me, and I feel like I owe it to others to do the same,” Talley said. “People have opened doors for me that I could not have even imagined, and I’ve been able to do things in my career that I never expected to do. So, I want to be able to do the same for others.”

Hites is on the OKWIT advisory board with Talley, and she can see how passionate Talley is about the work they do. At Devon Energy, Talley was a champion of finding ways to make diversity work, and she continues that work at OKWIT.

In light of her professional accomplishments and tremendous community impact, the Spears School of Business honored Talley this spring by inducting her into its MSIS Cloud of Honor, an honor reserved for professional leaders who are longtime graduates of OSU’s information systems programs. She will also receive the Women of Color Expo Impact Woman of the Year Award in April.

These awards are well earned, and Talley said she feels grateful to receive them.

“I’m surprised and honored that others would consider what I have done to be worthy of such an honor,” Talley said. “I spent a lot of time at OSU, and it’s very dear and close to my heart. So, I’m excited and just honored that they would consider me and allow me to be a part of this. And the women that have received Women of Color Expo awards in the past have been amazing, and so, I’m just honored.”

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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 ������ 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

“������ 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.”

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 ������ 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 ������ Presidential Award of Excellence.

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

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������ 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.”

������ 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.

������’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 .

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Vincent came to ������ as the Associate Head Coach of the men’s 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’s Basketball Coach in 2024.

“We recognized Coach Vincent’s leadership potential while serving as the associate head coach on the men’s side of our basketball program for two seasons, and that continued when he began to serve as our women’s head coach,” ������ Athletic Director Donnita Drain-Rogers said. “Coach Vincent’s passion for the sport of women’s 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’s position in Spring 2024.

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

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’s 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 ������,” Vincent said. “The past four years have been nothing short of historic and memorable, but even more importantly, life changing.

“I 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 ������ surpasses any wins or losses.”

Vincent’s player accomplishments include two Defensive Players of the Year, two Newcomers of the Year, and one Sixth Woman of the Year. Additionally, he’s 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.

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

“Coach Vincent will be deeply missed,” President Ruth Ray Jackson said. “His dedication to ������ basketball––on both the men’s and women’s sides––helped elevate these programs to an elite level. His service and mentorship extended far beyond the basketball court, leaving a lasting impact on the entire ������ community. We wish him all the best at Purdue Northwest and continued success in all his future endeavors.”

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“Coach Wright’s impact on ������ basketball has become legendary in just a few short years,” said ������ Athletic Director Donnita Drain-Rogers. “The 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.”

In his four years at ������, Wright has amassed a record of 121-21, bringing a winning culture back to LU men’s 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’s time at ������ 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’s 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 ������ 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’s 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 ������ basketball into what it is now, one of the most successful programs at any level of college basketball,” Wright said. “I 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.

“Ally, 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, ‘See you later.’ L’s up.”

The program boasted a 3.14 team GPA in the Fall 2025 semester and was named a recipient of the NABC’s 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.

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

“Coach Wright’s influence elevated not only men’s basketball at ������, but the institution as a whole,” President Ruth Ray Jackson said. “The 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.”

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