HBCU Profile: Langston University

Location: Langston, Oklahoma 

Date Founded: 1897

Mission Statement: Langston University strives to provide excellent post-secondary education to individuals seeking knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will enhance the human condition and promote a world that is peaceful, intellectual, technologically advanced, and one that fulfills the needs of nations and individuals alike. Langston University strives to educate individuals to become the leaders of tomorrow within their local, national, and global communities. A reflection on the Langston University history as a landgrant institution established in 1897 “to instruct both male and female Colored persons,” the mission of the University continues to be the education of African-Americans in the arts, sciences, humanities, business, agriculture, education, nursing and health professions. Langston University offers post-secondary education leading to associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degree programs. As a university with an urban mission in a rural setting, Langston University has the challenge of educating individuals who will serve their communities in urban centers as well as rural communities. To fulfill the mission, Langston University actively recruits faculty and students who support and complement the purpose and functions of the university.

History: The school was founded in 1897 and was known as the Oklahoma Colored Agricultural and Normal University. Langston University is named for John Mercer Langston (1829–1897), civil rights pioneer, first African American member of Congress from Virginia, founder of the Howard University Law School, and American consul-general to Haiti.

The University offers associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in a variety of disciplines. It is known as a leader in the field of agricultural research. The School currently has an open doors admissions policy. LU has nearly 3,000 students from several states representing a diverse student body.

Langston University is the only historically black college in the state of Oklahoma, and the westernmost historically black college in the United States.

Famous Alumni: Bessie Coleman, first African American woman pilot and the first American woman to obtain an International Pilot's license; Clara Luper, Civil Rights Leader; Dr. William H. Hale, Past President of Langston University and of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity

Website: Langston University