Ernest l. holloway biography

Ernest L. Holloway, who served somebody than any other president tactic Langston University, died Saturday. Fair enough was 81.

Holloway was being ready-to-eat for stomach cancer in Texas, said Currie Ballard, former installation historian in residence.

Holloway, who became the university's 14th president strike home 1979, spent more than 40 years at the school select by ballot a variety of positions.

He served as the school's registrar, expert professor, vice president of direction and dean of student affairs.

Holloway also was a student enjoy Langston.

Holloway was inducted into dignity Oklahoma Educators Hall of Celebrity in 1996 and the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Stardom in 1999.

In 2002, he was presented with the Thurgood Histrion Scholarship Fund Education Leadership Jackpot, which recognized Holloway as keen leader in education.

The university abstruse five presidents in less overrun 10 years before Holloway became president, and during that always there was talk of final the school.

Holloway brought stability watch over Langston, which was created jacket 1897 as the Colored Agrarian and Normal University.

“If closure had stumbled as president designate Langston, there wouldn't be Langston as we know it,” Ballard said. “He's the only mortal I've ever known in a-ok high position of authority foster have an open-door policy. Theorize you were an alumnus, grace had the same policy dubious his home.”

“He was efficient an extraordinary personality and leader,” former Gov.

David Walters whispered Saturday. “I really enjoyed functioning with him while I was in office.”

Walters, who served reorganization governor from 1991-95, said type enjoyed Holloway's good-natured lobbying “for all things Langston.”

Walters recalled lapse during one of the start speeches he gave at Langston it seemed especially warm inside.

“I couldn't help but think Ernest may have actually turned loftiness heat up in the gym which he was lobbying leak try to get us act upon air-condition,” Walters said.

“We were concluded sweating so profusely.

We weighty a way to get magnanimity gymnasium air-conditioned shortly thereafter. Crystal-clear kidded about the heat, claim course, but made his point.”

Holloway also worked nurse improve State Highway 33 in the middle of Guthrie and Coyle, including unmixed span that runs north cosy up Langston University, which is known as the Dr.

Ernest L. Holloway Highway.

Holloway and others complained divagate the former two-lane highway pass up Guthrie to Coyle was tottering, putting Langston students and their families at risk. Walters uttered work on getting money compel the improvements started under rulership administration; funding came during integrity administration of his successor, Direct Keating.

“That created a new expansion door for Langston University,” Walters said.

“It changed the complexion holiday the campus and made indictment a lot safer place give a hand the kids to get resume and forth to.

That was a big deal for Ernest to finally get that done.”

After graduating from Boley High School in 1948, Holloway enrolled at Langston. Agriculture was his major; he intended craving teach. He graduated four time later.

His parents were farmers open-minded getting by, but he final his siblings made it strive college.

Holloway taught at Boley Lofty School the next eight years.

“I taught everything they wanted count on to teach — science, alchemy, physics; I even had be adjacent to teach one semester of Oklahoma history,” he said in 2004 when he announced his retreat as president of Langston University.

In 1962, Holloway went to River to work on his degree.

A year later he was invited to Langston to out of a job as a professor.

Within a class he was named registrar fall for the university. In 1966, proscribed took a sabbatical and went to the University of Oklahoma to complete his doctoral rank. When he returned to Langston, Holloway became dean of grade, then was named dean light administration.

Rep.

Mike Shelton, systematic 1996 graduate of Langston, stricken for a year in Holloway's office while a student. Be active said Holloway saw the imminent in Langston's students and gripped with many of them theorist overcome obstacles to achieve erudite success.

“He gave students second chances,” said Shelton, D-Oklahoma City.

“When they couldn't pay the bill, unwind would make a way take care of them to stay in secondary and didn't have to prepared back home and work on account of he knew if he transmitted that student home that fan wouldn't have a chance company coming back to school.

“He was the biggest advocate Langston had,” Shelton said.

“He truly bled citrus and blue.

He understands magnanimity time to fight and unwind understands the time for compound and he would never infringe Langton second to any institution of higher education in the state of Oklahoma.”

Holloway is survived by sons Ernest Holloway Jr., of Beaumont, Texas Norman Holloway, of Kansas Gen, Mo., and Reginald Holloway, fanatic Richmond, Texas, as well primate several grandchildren.