Langston University President Dr. JoAnn W. Haysbert was recognized Saturday in Kingstree as the first African-American female college president in the State of Oklahoma.
Haysbert, who was named Langston’s 15th president in 2005, returned to Kingstree as part of a sign unveiling and reception that honored her for her role in Oklahoma’s higher education system.
One sign will be placed in the city and another four located throughout Williamsburg County.
A ceremony with friends and family was held off West Main Street near Greater Bethel AME Church, where a reception was held following the ceremony.
“Unbelievable,” Haysbert said following the dedication. “It’s almost an occasion where you want to touch yourself to see, ‘Is that my name and is that name me? Is this me?”
Haysbert said she would have never imagined taking place when she was growing up in Kingstree as a little girl and hopes other young people will realize the can accomplish anything they put their mind to.
“The way I grew up I was taught that the sky’s the limit,” she said. “So, I never put parameters on myself. And that’s one of the things that I hope young people never do today.”
State Senator Yancey McGill and Kingstree Mayor Ricky Burroughs spoke during the presentation and both presented Haysbert with plaques on behalf of the South Carolina Senate and the City of Kingstree. McGill and Burroughs said the Kingstree native has set a fine precedent for young people of the area to follow.
“Our young people look at Dr. Haysbert’s long list of accomplishments and it will show what they can accomplish if they have the determination to do so,” Burroughs said during the ceremony. “Coming from a small town like Kingstree isn’t a negative thing but a positive one. They can learn anything is possible if they work for it.”
The sign reads “Home of Dr. JoAnn Wright Haysbert, First African-American Female College President, State of Oklahoma, Langston University – Appointed 2005.”
According to a release issued by Langston University following the ceremony, Haysbert has spent over 30 years as an academician and higher education administrator, including a 25-year tenure at Hampton University in Hampton, VA. Haysbert also held positions at Virginia State University, Auburn University, and Alexander City State Junior College.
Haysbert earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Johnson C. Smith University, and a master’s and a doctoral degree in administration and supervision in higher education from Auburn University, the release said. She also studied at California State University in San Jose, and earned a certificate for educational management from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education.
Recognized as an innovator and a fiscally intuitive administrator, the release said Haysbert has brought to Langston University a new way of thinking about the business of higher education. Under the guiding mantra, “From Excellence to Greatness,” she has already worked collaboratively with Langston stakeholders to create a strategic plan that includes increasing Langston University’s enrollment, fundraising, and economic development, the release said.
Langston University was founded in 1897 and is recognized as Oklahoma’s only historically black institution of higher learning. Notable alumni include Drs. Nathan and Julia Hare, Dr. Henry Ponder, Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson, Marques Hayes, Charlie Wilson and Jennifer Hudson.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Monday, August 2nd 2010 at 1:54PM
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