Honoring History CEHS celebrates 75 years since Davis’ historic enrollment at OSU
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Media Contact: Christy Lang | Director, Marketing and Communications | 405-744-9740 | christy.lang@okstate.edu
Seventy-five years ago, Nancy Randolph Davis made history at Oklahoma A&M College.
In February, the now Oklahoma State University College of Education and Human Sciences celebrated Davis, OSU’s African American student in 1949.
Dr. Darius Prier, associate dean of inclusive excellence and community engagement, presented the program “Inspired Leadership for Engaged Citizenship” to over 100 attendees.
“In engaged citizenship, we want our students to play an active role in civic life,” Prier said. “We want them to pursue meaningful service to local communities and the society at large. We want them to be able to advocate for policies that positively impact communities, and we want them to embrace differences in new ideas.”
Prier recognized these traits of the ideal OSU graduate as part of Davis’ legacy as an active member of her community and a pursuant individual of civic life.
OSU President Kayse Shrum also reflected on Davis’ legacy.
“Today, with the inspiration of Nancy Randolph Davis, we work each day to make everyone at OSU feel welcomed and valued, regardless of their background or their geography,” Dr. Shrum said. “There are times in life when I think we should pause and think about those who came before us, those who made it possible for me to be here today in front of you as a female president.”
The keynote speaker for the event knew Davis better than anyone. Her son, Calvin Davis, Esq., shared a wealth of knowledge about her life history, ongoing legacy and the lessons that can be learned from her experiences.
Calvin recounted how listening to OAMC’s impressive agriculture reports on the radio with his grandfather, Ed Randolph, inspired Nancy’s academic goals from a young age.
"He said, 'That is an amazingly wonderful university,'" Calvin recalled. "Whatever Papa Randolph said, you believed it. All his kids believed it.
Ed Randolph was confident Black students, including Nancy, would one day attend OAMC.
Despite facing segregation due to Jim Crow laws, her exceptional academic performance led her white classmates to advocate for her inclusion. Davis went from being viewed as a threat to an asset whose contributions could enrich academic discourses.
Although Nancy’s circumstances were difficult, Calvin said OSU’s institutional legacy is that the students leaned into inspired leadership, standing up in the face of adversity for another student who lacked similar opportunities.
“I say congratulations to you for doing that, for standing up and continuing to stand up against bullying … sexism, racism. We have to speak up, stand up,” Calvin said.
Calvin ended his speech with one last challenge.
“Are you providing a good service? Are you leading with love and serving with sincerity? Are you simply resume-building ... or are you doing it for the right purpose?” Calvin said.
Nancy led with love and served with sincerity as a home economics teacher and community member. Her former colleagues and friends, Dr. Donnie L. Nero Sr. and Dr. Gloria Pollard, shared personal reflections on her impact. A panel of faculty, students, and community members also discussed the historical significance of Davis' pioneering efforts to promote equity in the community.
In commemoration of this historic 75th anniversary, the OSU Foundation, in collaboration with the Division of Access and Community Impact, launched the "75 for 75" capital campaign. The initiative aimed to boost the Nancy Randolph Davis Memorial Endowed Scholarship, established in 2015, to $75,000.
“The Davis family wanted to meet the goal of $75,000 in scholarship funding for students by April 14th of this year in honor of Nancy’s birthday,” Prier said. “Dr. Jason Kirksey, vice president for the Division of Access and Community Impact, worked closely with director of development Donovan Woods to help that goal become an achieved reality.”
Exceeding expectations, the campaign raised $79,225, further amplifying Davis' enduring legacy by supporting future generations of students at OSU.
Davis' pioneering role helped pave the way for greater inclusion at OSU. While more progress remains, the university continues honoring her memory by striving to create an environment where all students can flourish academically and personally, regardless of background.
For more information about Nancy Randolph Davis, visit https://okla.st/NancyRD.
Photos By: Gary Lawson and Phil Shockley
Story By: Jillian Walker | ASPIRE Magazine