LANGSTON, Okla. — Langston University has made a large investment into all three of its campuses’ infrastructure.
The multi-million dollar investment funds campus infrastructure upgrades at its Langston, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa campuses. The upgrades include HVAC upgrades to both academic and residential buildings; elevator modernizations on the Langston campus; roof replacement and interior restoration on the Oklahoma City campus; and investments into fire suppression upgrades at all three campuses.
“These improvements represent the most comprehensive housing upgrades in decades, and this large-scale project has progressed at an extraordinary speed,” said Vice President for Operations Theresa Powell. “Even facing unforeseen challenges due to supply chain setbacks and other compliance-related delays, we remain committed to ensuring the residential HVAC improvements are finished by December 30.”
The first phase of the residential HVAC project began in May 2025 and is projected to be completed by December 2025.
The Freshman Village on the Langston campus will get completely new HVAC systems with redirected air delivery. The university has also replaced outdated window units and furnaces in the Cimarron Gardens Apartments, which house faculty and staff.
The HVAC systems at the Scholars’ Inn and Commons Apartments will also be upgraded throughout the fall semester.
Along with the HVAC upgrades, the Oklahoma City campus will be getting a full roof replacement and interior restoration. In November 2024, the campus was damaged in a storm that has since been declared a natural disaster by FEMA.
“Our goal is to improve the experience for our students, faculty, staff, alumni and visitors through these strategic infrastructure investments,” Powell said. “In the long-term, these investments will extend the longevity of LU facilities by modernizing critical infrastructure. The work happening across our campuses demonstrates our unwavering commitment to providing an exceptional educational environment in support of student success and campus excellence.”
The funding for these projects comes from grants, Oklahoma Capital Asset Management and Protection (OCAMP) deferred maintenance funds, state appropriations, and Langston University institutional funds.
“It’s important to us that the major projects we have been managing throughout the summer come at no cost to our students,” said Powell. “These summer projects were made possible through the use of grants and OCAMP funds allocated by the state coupled with months of planning, preparation and project management.”
The university received an increase in OCAMP deferred maintenance funds for fiscal year 2026, making the total $10.1 million.
The university committed roughly $9 million for the residential building HVAC upgrades. Any gaps in funding will be covered by institutional funds.
“We are proud to have leveraged grant funds and state allocations to pursue these projects, and we’re grateful to the Division of Academic Affairs for their partnership in the use of Title III grant funds for our academic buildings,” said Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson, President of Langston University. “We’re also extremely appreciative of the Oklahoma Legislature, including Gov. Stitt and notably Sen. Chuck Hall, for the ongoing investments they’ve made to address deferred maintenance needs at institutions throughout the state.”
