Kent Smith steps down as president of Langston University

The president of Oklahoma’s only historically Black university will end his tenure leading the school after 11 years.

Langston University’s president Kent J. Smith recently wrote in an open letter to campus that he will depart from the university at the end of this spring’s semester.

Smith says he is retiring from his 30-year-long career in education. He writes he recently accepted an offer to become a Chick-fil-A franchise owner and operator, to build “a legacy to leave for my five children and my grandson.”

“My family and I have thoroughly enjoyed the years spent at Langston University. My children have grown up on our campuses,” he wrote. “In fact, my youngest son’s middle name is Langston in honor of our great institution. We are blessed beyond measure to have been on this journey in service to our students and to the entire Langston University family.”

The Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents will conduct a national search for Smith’s successor.