Eboni Tucker, Langston University- c/o 2011, Biology
Name : Eboni Tucker
HBCU : Langston University
Graduation Year : 2011
Major : Biology
Email : edt5151@gmail.com
Where are you from? Who introduced you to HBCUs?*
I am from Oklahoma City, OK and when I was younger I only knew that my grandma attended Langston and at the time I wasn’t thinking about college.
Dr. Zola Drain | Image Credit: Langston University
Why did you choose an HBCU over a pwi?*
I just wanted to continue the legacy, but Langston is the only HBCU in the great state of Oklahoma and of course it’s cheap.
Family Legacy - Feel free to elaborate…My grandmother graduated from Langston in the 60’s and I listen to everything she say. I wanted to go to PV, but my high school band director, Mr. Easter, graduated from the LU as well. Had Mr. Jackson aka Jack to come audition a few of us and next thing you know I received a letter in the mail from Jack offering a scholarship.
Langston was HOME after a while. I was an independent student. This was my home for Christmas, fall, spring breaks.
What is the story of your "experience" at Your HBCU given its heralded status as a stellar and prestigious institution?*
It’s fun! It’s a once in a lifetime experience. It’s worth it.
All the trouble with financial aid, housing, cafeteria food, just people that don’t want to see you succeed. Going to an HBCU has its pros and cons. It’s what you make out of it! The news always publicized Langston in a negative way only because it’s a BLACK school. The news should be at the school 24/7 not just when something terrible happens. That’s apart of life! You make it how you want it to be.
"First time" experiences at your HBCU?*
N/A
Eboni Tucker and her Family | Image Credit: Eboni Tucker
Who are the professors that have impacted your life in and out of the classroom? How did they do that?*
The professor that I admire the most was Dr. Zola Drain.
I had her for Human Physiology and Zoology and she played NO games. I had my moments when I did a little cutting up, being the class clown, but she wasn’t about to deal with it.
She means a lot to me, she remembers seeing me sitting at the top seat in the class with my hoodie on with my shiner. She continuously expressed her devoted love and showed how much she cared for students and myself. She knew something was wrong.
Best restaurants on/near campus? Best dishes?
If you were hungry enough, the cafeteria food was mmm, mmm, good! Langston is located in no man’s land, but when there were restaurants opened off campus I liked Scotts.
College crush?
College crush? I didn’t even know that was possible. Of course I had my eyes on a few of the fellas, but crushing? Nah. There is no such thing in my book. I just don’t believe in a crush back in undergrad, too many guys out to just be focused on one. Lol!
What is your major? and Why did you choose it?
My major was in biology and I still have my dream of being a cardiovascular surgeon.
What are the chants heard most often at the sporting events?
Cheerleaders chanting out “Do it, do it, do it!”
How are you positively active on campus? (e.g. clubs, SGA, etc.)
I stayed in the Langston University Marching Pride band aka the L.U.M.P. in college though numerous times I was kicked out, but I was always let back in the band. I participated in a few campus clean up days with some Greeks. I participated in the American Red Cross blood drives, I was in band in high school also.
How did you overcome your nervousness about going to college?
Can’t recall being nervous my freshman year, I was just being myself. When I did get nervous, I had to put that aside and do what I had to do.
How did your HBCU prepare you for a diverse workplace?
Dr. Drain will tell me that the world or people wouldn’t accept anything, especially me doing anything and saying anything. Talking to folks how I wanted to. Which isn’t acceptable at all, so I took the time to change those things within myself. Want to change things? Start with self first and it will gradually come. Friends and foes.
What advice would you give high school students filling out college applications for the first time?
Take your time on filling out the applications. Make sure this is something you want to really do. Go LU! Fill out more than one app. If it’s one school you’ve been looking at, you might just get accepted off of one try.
If you could only speak two sentences to the youth coming after you what would you say?
Stay focused and follow your dreams. Do something that people least expected of you. No one else opinions matter. Keep God first. Do you boo, boo!
How did your HBCU help you to transition into your careers workforce?
I can’t say that LU is fully responsible for careers in the workforce. They have had career fairs that most people don’t take advantage of.
Comments
Langston University
-
Students: 2,554
- Athletics: Langston University are part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC), while its football team competes in the Central States Football League (CSFL). Men's sports include basketball, cross country, football and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, cheerleading, cross country, softball, track & field and volleyball.
- Notable Alumni: Bessie Coleman - The first African American woman pilot and the first American woman to obtain an International Pilot's license. Coleman enrolled in 1910, but could only complete one term due to financial issues** Brendan Crawford - 2013 - Football quarterback** Jennifer Hudson - Attended - 2000 - Professional singer, actress** Clara Luper - 1944 - Civil rights leader best known for her leadership role in the 1958 Oklahoma City Sit-in Movement** Nancy Riley - Former member of the Oklahoma Senate from the 37th district** Nathan Hare - Founding publisher of The Black Scholar (1969-1975) and author of The Black Anglo Saxons. Also wrote the conceptual proposal for the first department of black studies, and was the first person hired to coordinate a black studies program in the United States (1968)** Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher - 1945 - Civil rights activist; stood at the forefront of the fight to integrate historically white law schools in the South** The Delta Rhythm Boys - Jazz vocal group inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame**
- Click here to view on Wikipedia