Feb. 1 is Nancy Randolph Davis Day

Friday, January 27, 2012

Feb. 1 is Nancy Randolph Davis Day

As we celebrate Black History Month, OSU is especially proud of its own civil rights pioneer—Nancy Randolph Davis—the first African American to attend OSU.

In 1949, Nancy Randolph Davis became the first black student to enroll At OSU, then Oklahoma A&M College. She earned her master of science degree from the College of Human Sciences in 1952, after which she taught home economics and child care at Star Spencer High School for 23 years. She retired from Oklahoma public education after 43 years of service.

Davis was honored as a "Distinguished Alumna" of OSU in 1999, and the university named one of its newest residence halls Davis Hall in 2001. OSU also offers three Nancy Randolph Davis Scholarships for freshmen, continuing students and graduate students in honor of her efforts and commitment to education.

Davis has received widespread recognition, as well as honors and awards from state governors, the legislature and various community service organizations. In December 2008, the Oklahoma Human Rights Commission honored her with the Oklahoma Human Rights award for her dedication as an educational pioneer and human rights trailblazer. Most recently, she received the 2009 HES Enhancing Human Lives Award.

Davis continues to live in Oklahoma and OSU is planning a celebration of her life and legacy in April, her birthday month.