TALK OF GREENWOOD
Dr. Jerry Goodwin
Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson (l), president of Langston University, recognizes Dr. Wennette Pegues, the first director of the former higher education consortium in Tulsa that included Langston University, Northeastern State University, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Oklahoma. The consortium was the predecessor to Oklahoma State University-Tulsa. Photo, Provided
LU’s Urban Campuses Held Luncheon Programs
Oklahoma State University, and the University of Oklahoma. The consortium was the predecessor to Oklahoma State University-Tulsa.
The Langston University-Tulsa campus commemorated its 45-year anniversary with a celebratory luncheon on June 13. LU-OKC held a similar anniversary program on June 6.
The celebrations recognized the efforts of faculty, staff, and site administrators at these campuses to provide quality educational opportunities for students in Oklahoma City and Tulsa since 1979, according to a press release.
Participating in the LU-Tulsa program were Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson, LU president; Dr. Sherri Smith-Keys, executive director and associate vice president for clinical affairs at the LU-Tulsa campus; Joshua A. Busby, interim executive director of the LU Foundation; and Diana Sharp, administrative specialist III at LU-Tulsa.
Additional recognition was given to the following: Dr. Wennette Pegues, associate academic dean for the LU-Tulsa Urban Program in 1979-80, and the first director of a consortium of universities (Langston University, Northeastern State University, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Oklahoma) and predecessor to Oklahoma State University-Tulsa; Dr. Gary Crooms; Dr. Dytisha Davis; Dr. Emily Patterson-Harris; Dr. Roosevelt Mack (posthumously); Rev. Marla Mayberry; Dr. Bruce McGowan; Dr. Orlenthea McGowan; Dr. Virginia Schoats; and Dr. Lisa Weis.
The luncheon programs also served as fundraisers to support the campuses as they continue to promote excellence in higher education and research in Oklahoma.
Sponsors of the LU-Tulsa luncheon were Oklahoma City Community College, Bank of Oklahoma, Tinker Federal Credit Union, LU National Alumni Association, LU National Alumni Association – OKC Chapter, Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson, Theresa Powell, Dr. Emily Patterson-Harris, and Joshua A. Busby.
In January 2023, Griffin Media made the largest corporate donation in Langston University’s history when it gifted the university its KWTV News 9 building located at 7401 N. Kelley Ave. in Oklahoma City. The building has become the new home of the LU-OKC campus and a focal point for the broadcast journalism program.
In March 2023, the LU-Tulsa campus held the grand opening for the new Tulsa Allied Health Facility. The 17,000-square-foot building, home to the School of Nursing and Health Professions, includes simulation labs with mannikins powered by artificial intelligence, spacious classrooms, a lecture hall, conference and meeting rooms, and department and administrative office spaces.
These recent additions to each of the LU urban campuses reflect the university’s efforts to expand its footprint and impact in Oklahoma City and Tulsa and within the state.
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