ADR Award Winner, LU Extension Programs, 2026 Senior Class President - April 2026

Langston University Recently participated in the Association of 1890 Research Directors (ARD) Symposium in New Orleans, Louisiana. More than 60 LU students presented their research, and seven of them took home awards. Hear from one of our first place winners.

LU Extension and Outreach Programs serve 55 counties in Oklahoma. We chat with Shar Carter, one of our extension educators in Tulsa, about their programs.

Dear Langston will celebrate its 126th commencement on Saturday, May 9. We sat down with this year's senior class president to talk about it.

Intro: 0:00

ADR Award Winner: 0:52

LU Extension Programs: 6:17

2026 Senior Class President: 11:25

Outro: 14:33

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:07

Lingston University recently participated in the Association of 1890 Research Directors Symposium in New Orleans, Louisiana. More than 60 students presented their research and seven of them took home awards. Hear from one of our first place winners.

SPEAKER_00 0:19

That's Ellie Molero, I'm Jet Turner, and this is Lion Talk from Langston University. LU Extension and Outreach programs serve 55 counties in Oklahoma. We'll chat with one of our Extension educators in Tulsa and learn about their programs today.

SPEAKER_02 0:36

Dear Langston will celebrate its 126th commencement on Saturday, May 9th. We sat down with this year's senior class president to talk about it.

SPEAKER_00 0:43

Stay with us. We've got the news you need to stay in the loop with LU.

SPEAKER_02 0:52

Senior animal science major Samaria Brown recently attended the 2026 ARD Research Symposium in New Orleans, where she won first place for her poster presentation in the family, youth, community, and economic development category. And she's here to chat with us today about her experience. Samaria, welcome to Lion Talk. Hi, it is such a pleasure to be here. We're so happy to have you. So can you tell us a little bit about how you came to be involved in research here at Langston University?

SPEAKER_04 1:18

So here at Langston, I'm actually a LU 1890 scholar. So the student mentor research program is kind of geared to scholars like us to be able to work and get in research and be able to also get paid as well. So I was able to talk with my supervisor, Dr. Atalola, and I was like, I would love to learn and be able to present research at one of the most prestigious 1890 land grant research symposiums. So yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:44

So then how long have you been involved in research? Your whole time at Langston?

SPEAKER_04 1:47

Just about, yes. So since I was a freshman, between just being at the lab, just watching, or even trying to be super hands-on involved, I've always been kind of involved in research.

SPEAKER_02 1:56

Yeah, that's awesome.

SPEAKER_04 1:58

So then uh was this your first time presenting at a research conference? Yes, this was. So it was super, super nerve-wracking for me first, but also super exciting because I my family's from um Louisiana, so being able to feel like I was close to home made me feel more at ease. But you know, such a a big conference like ARD, it's nerve-wracking. But I was excited and being a first-time presenter, I was like, there's plenty that I could learn.

SPEAKER_02 2:24

Yeah. Well, for a first-time presenter, you did a fantastic job. You took home first place.

SPEAKER_04 2:29

Yes. So I was like, I and Dr. A and I, we we were talking and she was like, We're going, we're aiming for first always, but I want you to do your best. And I was like, Well, my best is gonna have to be first. So I really um really kicked it into gear probably around November because we started doing research like a year in advance, basically. And I just I was really on it. I was talking with Dr. A and even like going through pneumonia and stuff like that and still being able to present research. So yeah.

SPEAKER_02 3:01

Yeah, well, it it sounds like your confidence in all of your hard work really, really paid off. Yes, I would say so. Yeah, so okay, so speaking of your research, your project was titled Langston University's Student Spending and Local Ripple Effects in Logan County.

unknown 3:16

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 3:17

That is a very like close-to-home subject matter. So can you talk to us a little bit about that?

SPEAKER_04 3:22

Um, I uh I guess to start off, Langston has always been super dear to me. Just for some context. Langston has always been super dear. I've always loved my orange in front of my blue, my L in front of my U. I've always wanted to make sure that whatever I did was always in the best interest of my HBCU and being able to look at monetary spending throughout Langston and seeing how students here impact the rest of our county and whatnot. We could make better policies and stuff like that, expand student housing, student businesses and whatnot, and bring that money back in. And I wanted to be able to see on paper concrete evidence how much money we were spending, how much is coming back to the county and things of that nature. Yeah. So what did you find? So it turns out that Langston University student spending is about $13.39 million dollars just within the county. Um the way that we were able to kind of track that is by separating students into residents of Oklahoma and non-residents of Oklahoma and into different housing statuses. So on campus, off-campus with relatives, and off-campus independent to kind of see how student spending fluctuates with changes in housing status and whatnot. And that was really important because seeing how that money from outside the county comes in really can um show how much money we as students are contributing to our HBCU or our county and whatnot. So yeah, Langston students spend a lot of money, almost $14 million.

SPEAKER_02 4:52

So yeah, I it's always amazing to like learn about those like close-to-home um impacts. And it's really awesome that you were able to do this research project and then go and present it.

SPEAKER_04 5:02

Yes, it was it was very cool because I was like being able to put Langston on the spotlight and showing these other 1890 landing institutions this is how Langston is, this is how we spend money, this is how we're contributing back to our HBCU, and this is how we can do that. And even the research itself, we could apply that concept to other um anchor institutions, which Langston is, being that it generates a probable demand that Logan County can accommodate for for at least nine months out of the year.

SPEAKER_02 5:37

So yeah. Yeah, fantastic. Well, so you mentioned that you're a senior and you're getting ready to graduate next year. So, kind of what is what is your plan? What do you have to look forward to as far as um research and just your plans?

SPEAKER_04 5:49

Uh I'm super excited because I actually got accepted into my master's program. So I will be starting in January at St. Matthews University in the Grand Cayman Islands, and my master's will be in biological sciences. So just more research and being able to relate those things to my degree plan.

SPEAKER_02 6:08

Perfect. Well, Langston University wishes you luck in your future endeavors. Thank you.

SPEAKER_00 6:16

As part of Langston University's land grant mission, we offer extension services to over 50 Oklahoma counties. These services range from agricultural research to education and youth development programs. One of our extension educators based in Tulsa is Shar Carter, and she's here to speak with us today. Shar, welcome to Lion Talk.

SPEAKER_01 6:34

Thank you. Thank you for having me.

SPEAKER_00 6:36

So, Shar, you specifically are over the fiber arts uh in our extension programs. What are fiber arts and how do they teach students about STEM and the other things that they need to know?

SPEAKER_01 6:50

Well, it's actually fiber arts and STEM. Part of what our mission is in agriculture is that it's food and fiber. And many of our textiles, whether it's cotton, believe it or not, linen, linen comes from flax, flax seeds, and it's actually the branch, but we're not going to get too technical on that. But things that uh things that we eat or grow are how we connect it to fiber arts. And so wool, for example, goats, sheep, all of that ties back to agriculture. And so we take everything that's related to textiles and uh apparel, which is also connected to um, you know, again, back to cotton. Sewing is like a puzzle. And in order to be successful in using that puzzle, you have to understand math infractions, you have to understand precision, and we tie all of that into the process. Uh, sewing requires critical thinking. So a person that is learning to use textiles and apparel is not only learning how to make something beautiful in the end, but they are learning strategy and implementation and follow-through.

SPEAKER_00 7:59

Yeah, absolutely. And one of the things that you've done, you know, like I said earlier, you're you're based in Tulsa. One of the things that you've done is connect Langston University to the Tulsa Dream Center. Uh, what is the the Tulsa Dream Center?

SPEAKER_01 8:13

It's a combination of things, but it's primarily a nonprofit after-school program. The Tulsa Dream Center is an organization that works with the underserved, the forgotten part of our communities, and they provide them with you know food. Um Tuesdays and Thursdays, I think, yeah, Tuesdays and Thursdays, they do a food distribution every quarter, including, you know, the beginning of the school school semester, the middle of the school semester, and even the summer. They provide uh activities and giveaways to the students to allow them to like successfully complete the school year. A lot of parents in North Tulsa or East Tulsa can't afford, you know, and I'm I'm going to date myself here. I'm gonna say that, you know, school supplies for the year cost $150. I'm sure they cost more. But a lot of people don't have $150 to put their, you know, their child through school. And if you've got two, you know, that doubles it. So what the Dream Center did this past year was they worked with Langston on it's called the back to school splash program. And Langston worked with the Dream Center because the Dream Center could get a lower price on uh the backpacks and the school supplies, and they provided, I I want to say it was like 200 youth back to school supplies. We weren't prepared. I laugh because we weren't prepared for 2,300 students to show up. And that was our yes, that was our first event. So it's it's been you know a learning experience on both you know sides for the Dream Center and for the university. But yes, our first event uh was last August, the beginning of the school year. And we had 2,300 youth show up. Yes, it was a lot.

SPEAKER_00 10:01

Wow, and but what a great you know facility, what a great uh program. So, how can students get involved in the Tulsa Dream Center?

SPEAKER_01 10:10

Well, you can always contact the Dream Center directly. Um, it depends on if you're talking about students from Lingston University, I would I would suggest them, I mean, they're welcome to reach out to me, um, my email, but they can also reach out to the Dream Center directly. The Tulsa Dream Center is actually two facilities. A lot of people don't know that. So there is the one that is in North Tulsa, and there's the one that is in uh Sepulpa. Well, it's across the street in Sapalpa.

SPEAKER_00 10:36

We know that um, you know, through the Dream Center and through Lingston University Extension Services, there's many summer programs coming up. So, what summer programs do you have coming up uh for this year?

SPEAKER_01 10:49

For me, it's going to be the sewing program. Uh, and that will be the pickup will be from the Tulsa Dream Center, the North Location. Uh KIPP School, which is also in Tulsa, will be participating in that this year. And we'll be working with an organization called Be Sow In. Um, they provide education resources year-round for us as well as the youth that we work with.

SPEAKER_00 11:10

Perfect. Awesome. Thank you so much for joining me today, and and good luck with all of your summer programming this year.

SPEAKER_01 11:17

Thank you for inviting me.

SPEAKER_02 11:24

The end of the semester is rapidly approaching, and with it, graduation. I'm here with one of our soon-to-be newest alumni, 2026 senior class president, Amaya Jameson. Amaya, welcome to Lion Talk. Thank you for having me. Thank you so much for being here. So, with graduation just around the corner, how are you feeling?

SPEAKER_03 11:43

I am super excited, but it's a very bittersweet moment. When I first arrived at Langston four years ago, I always like imagined graduation and the big celebration, but to be now living in the moment and preparing for it, it's definitely exciting, but it's definitely bittersweet because Langston truly has become like my home and my new family.

SPEAKER_02 12:02

Yeah, absolutely. And you've you've really made the most of your time here at LU. You've been involved in so much. Can you talk to us a little bit about what these past four years have been like?

SPEAKER_03 12:11

Yes, so I was a part of the Lynx University March and Pride Flash of Fire Flag line. I was capped in my junior year, I was a part in the student activities board. Of course, I served as the 79th Miss Lynx University. I served as a Lynx University Ambassador, I served as a legal lion, women of purpose. Honestly, probably every organization on this campus I probably have served in at some point in time.

SPEAKER_02 12:32

Yeah, that's awesome. I I know that you have truly just been involved in so much. Is there any like favorite part or anything that you're gonna miss in particular once you cross to the other side as an alumni?

SPEAKER_03 12:44

I think just the ease of being able to see my friends and spend time with them, I really have come to gain some amazing friendships and people have become like my family here. And when we graduate, we all have to spread our wings. So I think it'll definitely be bittersweet, but I'm just looking forward to whatever comes next.

SPEAKER_02 13:00

So now, looking back at your time here at Langston, do you have any advice or words of wisdom for our underclassmen or the juniors who are gonna be going through this next year?

SPEAKER_03 13:10

Honestly, the one piece of advice I have is what was told to me, which is just to put yourself out there and to make the most of every moment that you have because you will only be in college this one time. You'll only ever be attending Langston University, the only HBCU one time. And so you really have to take advantage of every opportunity and every moment that comes before you because eventually it'll be time for you to go.

SPEAKER_02 13:32

All right. Well, with graduation just a few days away, what comes next for Amaya?

SPEAKER_03 13:37

Yes, I am super excited to announce that I will be attending law school in the fall. So my JD is loading. Just give me three years. Fantastic. Where are you gonna go to law school? I am debating between Oklahoma City University and the University of Tulsa, but there are a few other schools I'm waiting to hear back from as well. So it's really just the waiting game at this point. Yeah, and what are you hoping to do with that law degree? So I am planning to become the youngest prosecutor in my hometown, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

SPEAKER_02 14:01

Fantastic. Well, we cannot wait to see what you do. Um, remember that you are always gonna be a part of the Lion Pride, and just thank you so much for joining us today.

SPEAKER_03 14:11

Thank you for having me. This was really fun. I've never gotten to do a podcast before. This is really fun.

SPEAKER_02 14:15

Langston University's 126th commencement ceremony will be held Saturday, May 9th at the WE Anderson Stadium. We wish our graduates luck as they embark on our next journey. And remember, you'll always have a home at Dear Langston.

SPEAKER_00 14:32

And that's Lion Talk for April 2026. Thank you for tuning in and staying in the loop with LU. We'll be taking a break during the summer months, but keep an eye out for special episodes coming soon. We'll see you next semester, and until then, L'Z.