Oklahoma Research Day 2026
EVENT OVERVIEW
On Friday, February 27, 2026, a nine-member delegation from Langston University’s Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences attended the 27th annual Oklahoma Research Day, hosted by Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The group included six students, two faculty members, and one staff member, who departed Langston early in the morning for the approximately two-hour drive to the NSU campus
Oklahoma Research Day is an annual statewide event that brings together students, faculty, and researchers from across Oklahoma to present and celebrate scholarly, creative, and scientific work. This year’s edition drew nearly 650 registered participants from 18 higher education institutions. Theeventwasheldunderthetheme“SilverLinings:ResearchIlluminatingaBrighterFuture.”
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
The full-day program began at 8:00 a.m. with an official welcome session followed by the keynote address, delivered by Dr. Raven Baxter, a molecular biologist and science communicator widely known as “Raven the Science Maven.” With more than fifteen years of experience in science education and public outreach, Dr. Baxter spoke to the importance of research as a driver of positive change a message well aligned with this year’s conference theme.
“Silver Linings: Research Illuminating a Brighter Future” Oklahoma Research Day 2026 Theme
Following the keynote, the day was organized around multiple student poster presentation sessions held throughout the University Center. Participants had the opportunity to view research from institutions across the state, interact with presenting students, and engage with faculty and evaluators in an open academic setting.
Dr. Raven Baxter delivers the keynote address to nearly 650 participants from across the state.
LANGSTON UNIVERSITY'S PARTICIPATION
Langston University students actively participated in poster presentations, showcasing their original research and responding to questions from attendees, peer reviewers, and faculty evaluatorsfromother institutions.Thepresentationscoveredworkconducted through theSherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences and reflected the breadth of research being undertaken at Langston.
The event gave students direct experience presenting their research in a competitive academic environment, exchanging ideas with scholars from across the state, and gaining exposure to the rangeofworkbeing conductedatOklahoma’scollegesanduniversities.Facultyandstaffmembers accompanying the delegation provided mentorship and support throughout the day.
OUTCOMES & TAKEAWAYS
Participation in Oklahoma Research Day offered Langston University students a valuable opportunity to strengthen their research presentation skills in a real academic setting, receive constructive feedback from outside their home institution, and build connections with peers and faculty from across the state. For many students, it was also a first experience presenting their work to an audience beyond their own campus community.
As Oklahoma's only HBCU, Langston University's consistent presence at statewide academic events like Oklahoma Research Day reinforces the institution's role in the broader Oklahoma higher education landscape and helps students develop the professional networks and academic confidence needed for graduate study and career advancement.*
LOOKING AHEAD
The Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences plans to continue its participation in Oklahoma Research Day in the coming years, with the goal of expanding its delegation and increasing the number of student research submissions. The 2026 experience provided a strong foundation and a clear benchmark for future involvement.