The College of Education and Human Sciences celebrated the life and legacy of Oklahoma State alumna and civil rights pioneer Nancy Randolph Davis on March 26, with a panel presentation featuring Nancy L. Davis and Calvin O. Davis, the daughter and son of Nancy Randolph Davis, as well as OSU President Jim Hess.

The life of Nancy Randolph Davis is a testament to every line of the Cowboy Code, but above all, she knew challenges would come with pain, but pain would not win.

Davis was the first African-American enrollee at Oklahoma A&M College in 1949. Operating under Jim Crow laws, Davis was required to sit outside her classrooms while earning her master’s degree in home economics. Soon after beginning her degree, however, she was invited into the classroom by her white peers, who recognized her abilities and her passion to do what was right, even when it was hard.

Davis graduated in 1952. She was later honored with the OSU Distinguished Alumni Award, the OSU College of Education and Human Sciences’ Enhancing Human Lives Award and induction into both the OSU Hall of Fame and OSU’s Greek Hall of Fame. OSU’s Davis Residential Hall was named in her honor in 2001, as were the former Human Sciences and Human Sciences West buildings, now called Nancy Randolph Davis and Nancy Randolph Davis West. Davis passed away in 2015, but the university and CEHS continue to celebrate her influence to remain connected with her family.

Dr. Darius Prier, CEHS associate dean, opened the celebration by introducing President Hess, provost and senior vice president Jeanette Mendez and CEHS dean Stephen Clarke, who each spoke of Nancy Randolph Davis’ embodiment of the Cowboy Code.

2026 Nancy Randolph Davis Day

While the event’s attendees included OSU faculty and staff, as well as friends, family, peers, and former students of Nancy Randolph Davis, President Hess emphasized the importance of today’s OSU students understanding the impact Davis left on the university.

“Every time you walk in this building, you should be reminded of what the word ‘courage’ means,” Hess said, directing his words toward the students in the room.

“Thank you, Nancy, for having the courage to achieve a dream during a time when it was most difficult to do so.”

Prier explained that for students, Davis’ legacy expanded far beyond the classroom.

“What students can learn from their review of Nancy’s life is to extend their education into local communities — beyond classroom walls, to serve others, to be of greater impact to society, and to become catalysts for shaping history toward a public good,” Prier said.

“I hope students recognize they can leverage their influence to make a difference in the lives of their peers and the university at large.”

Story By: Faith Frantz | faith.frantz@okstate.edu