Langston University makes history with $1.45 million gift

LANGSTON, Oklahoma  — ONEOK recently pledged nearly $1.5 million to Langston University to fund projects campus-wide.

As the largest gift to date, ONEOK’s gift will fund scholarships in the Accounting Department that will be awarded to well-deserving students with financial needs. It will also fund a new professorship in the Accounting Department.

Over the past three years ONEOK has developed a strong relationship with the Accounting Department. ONEOK routinely recruits Langston Accounting students for their internship program. The internship program helps prepare students for post-college success through in-the-field training and additional learning experiences in the oil and natural gas industry. In most cases, these internships turn into full-time positions at ONEOK.

In addition to the large amount given to the Accounting Department, ONEOK’s support has reached across campus with a portion of the gift allocated to a marquee and video scoreboard, and a new entrance sign.

“We are incredibly thankful to ONEOK for the generous gift and the continuous support to our students,” said Kent J. Smith, Jr., President of Langston University.

“ONEOK is Langston University’s largest supporter, and its gift will make a huge impact on the lives of our students and will continue assisting Langston on our journey to becoming a competitor in our ever-growing economy.”

“Langston’s accounting program is top notch, and Langston’s proximity – right here in our own backyard – makes it a great resource for us to recruit quality local candidates,” said Terry K. Spencer, president and chief executive officer of ONEOK. “We have hired a number of Langston graduates for accounting roles at ONEOK. Making additional investments in the university to maintain that pipeline of quality candidates just makes sense.”

Langston University is located 12 miles east of Guthrie, Oklahoma. Langston offers more than 38 degree programs, including five masters’ degrees and one doctoral program. For more information about Langston University giving please contact the LU Foundation Office at (405) 466-3482.