Langston University Names Four Finalists for President

Historically Black Langston University in Oklahoma has announced four candidates as finalists to be the school’s next president. The four finalists, all African-American men, are scheduled to meet with the board of regents of the Oklahoma State University system on January 19 in Oklahoma City. The board hopes to choose the new president by the end of the month.

Here are brief biographies of the four finalists:

Phillip D. Birdine is president of Western Oklahoma State College in Altus. He has served in that positions since July 2010. Dr. Birdine is a graduate of Langston University. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Central Oklahoma and a doctorate in higher education administration from Texas Tech University.

Myron L. Pope is vice president of enrollment management at the University of Central Oklahoma. He holds bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from the University of Alabama. He has taught at the University of Oklahoma and served as chair of the Chamber of Commerce in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Kent J. Smith is vice president for student affairs and chief student affairs officer at Ohio University in Athens. Previously, Dr. Smith served as the dean of students at Auburn University in Alabama and as the director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Smith holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a doctorate from Colorado State University.

Charles Williams is vice president for academic affairs at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne. Previously, he was vice chancellor for academic affairs at Southern University at New Orleans. Dr. Williams holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro. He earned a doctorate in counselor education at Iowa State University.