Author

Monica D. Lee

Date of Award

4-1994

Document Type

Thesis

Department

English

First Advisor

Karen M. Clark

Second Advisor

Lester LeSure

Third Advisor

John Hilbert

Abstract

Originally known as the Colored Agricultural and Normal University, Langston University is Oklahoma ' s only historically black college and the only institution of higher education in Oklahoma and perhaps in the United States which has both a land grant and urban mission. Founded in 1897 as a result of the Morrill Act of 1890 and Oklahoma Territorial House Bill 151, Langston University has been providing higher education in Oklahoma for almost a century. Originally the University's purpose was to instruct "both male and female colored persons in the art of teaching various branches which pertain to a common school education and in such higher education as may be deemed advisable, and in the fundamental laws of the United States in the rights and duties of citizens in the agricultural, mechanical and industrial arts." Now Langston University offers some thirty-six degree programs supportive * of both its original land grant mission and the urban mission assigned by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education in 1978. As the University approaches its centennial it continues to strive toward excellence from "Langston to the World."

The topic LANGSTON UNIVERSITY, A HISTORY: EDUCATION AND PROGRESS FROM 1897-1994 was selected for this study because of the need of a current working history of the University and its progress. The purpose of this study is to compile a comprehensive up-to-date history of Langston University to serve as a tool of reference for students and interested scholars and readers alike and to assist in preserving the heritage of the historically black institution. The documentary production (videotape) that accompanies the research reflects current technology in the media.

Because of poor record keeping, many historical facts relative to activities and accomplishments of Langston University during the early years have not appeared in previous studies. The few written materials are, in this study, supplemented with interviews of persons knowledgeable of the University in its earlier years and of its early history. The value of this thesis and documentary production will be its availability as a research tool produced in the decade preceding the centennial, a study which includes some data omitted from previous studies.

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