OSU to celebrate 76th anniversary of Nancy Randolph Davis’ enrollment

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Media Contact: Christy Lang | Director, Marketing and Communications | 405-744-9740 | christy.lang@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University will honor the life and legacy of Nancy Randolph Davis during a special celebration Feb. 20 on the Stillwater campus. 

Hosted by OSU’s College of Education and Human Sciences and the Division of Access and Community Impact, the event will take place at 1:30 p.m. in the Wes Watkins Center's International Exhibit Hall. The campus community is invited to attend. 

Davis was the first African American student to enroll at what was then-Oklahoma A&M College. The young home economics teacher from Spencer, Oklahoma, began pursuing a master’s degree in 1949.

Davis faced many challenges along the way but remained steadfast and preserved. Davis spent summers taking classes at OSU while continuing to teach, and completed her master's degree in 1952. She went on to have a storied 43-year career as an educator, shaping the lives of thousands of Oklahoma students.

OSU will honor Davis' courage and determination with an event titled "Leading for Educational Excellence to Unify a More Perfect Union." Traci D. Manuel, 2023-24 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, will deliver a keynote address honoring Davis and recognizing her lasting impact on education and what that means for students and educators today. 

Manuel, the first African American Tulsa Public Schools teacher to be honored as the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, serves as the Teacher Retention, Recruitment and Cultivation Strategist for Tulsa Public Schools. With over 15 years of teaching experience, she has taught at multiple schools in Tulsa and traveled the state's 77 counties advocating for educators. Manuel is actively involved in many professional networks, and mentors aspiring teachers.

Special guests Nancy L. Davis and Calvin Davis, daughter and son of Nancy Randolph Davis, will also attend the event. 

Please RSVP by Feb. 14 if you're interested in attending the Nancy Randolph Davis Day Celebration.

Story By: Jillian Walker | jillian.walker@okstate.edu