While millions of Americans search for ways to bring their American Dream to fruition, some forget the people who paved the path for them to thrive. When I came to the University of Oklahoma, I came in recognizing the many others who came before me and paved the way for my education. Dr. George Henderson, a distinguished author, and recipient of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Medal for the Outstanding College and University Professor in 2000, comes from a modest background. Dr. Henderson was born in Hurtsboro, Alabama on June 18, 1932. His family were sharecroppers, however they fled to Indiana at the death threat of Ku Klux Klan members and the other racism his family experienced in rural Alabama.
Henderson’s parents had a seventh-grade level education, which made it difficult to get a well-paying job. Henderson and his family grew up in poverty–he recounts in his book, Race and the University, the time he taped cardboard to the bottom of the inside of his shoe because there was a hole in it, and he could not afford to buy another pair of shoes. There were many nights when he went to bed hungry as a child. However, he was still a happy child with the ability to dream, and so he did.
His mother instilled the importance of higher education, which later became a major aspect of his life. Dr. George Henderson attended Michigan State on a track scholarship as a first-generation student– however, his education was interrupted by the Korean conflict when he was drafted. He served for two years in the Air Force before receiving an honorable discharge. He finished his degrees up to PhD and built a family of 9. In 1967, Dr. Henderson came to the University of Oklahoma as its first African-American professor, only the third black faculty member out of 500 that made up the university. This was where he took hold of opportunity and advocacy to make a lasting legacy.
Dr. George Henderson became the fist Black property owners in Norman and not long after he arrived he created OU’s Black Student Union. He, along with the Civil Rights movement, sparked the fight for social justice and equality within his students. He also advised them through achieving equity and representation for Black students at OU. However, living in Norman and OU did not come easy. After all, this was a time of major racism, discrimination and xenophobia.
In the 1960s, Norman, Oklahoma was still a ‘sundown town’. During this time, an all-white town did not welcome Black people, especially after sunset. At Henderson’s initial move in with his family he faced oppression from others, calling them racial slurs in passing and trashing his yard. However, he did not let this discourage him from pursuing his American dream of achieving equality, representation, and opportunity for himself, his family, and his students. He continued to be an integral part in progressing the town of Norman and the University of Oklahoma.
Dr. Henderson’s legacy matters to me because not only did he created a path for his Black students, but the creation of OU BSU played an influential role in the creation of diverse student organizations at OU. To honor Dr. Henderson’s legacy of opportunity, representation, and community service, a building was established in his name, the Henderson-Tolson Cultural Center. A scholarship program at OU was established in his name, the Henderson Scholars Program.
One of the reasons I came to OU was because I was offered this scholarship, and I knew this is the path I was meant to take. Dr. George Henderson, along with many others, family members, ancestors, and predecessors paved this path for me and others to succeed in our own American dream. Dr. Henderson and his living legacy, the Henderson Scholars Program, has taught me about community care, mentorship, and my favorite motto, “with great opportunity comes great responsibility.” I am forever indebted to his cause, his love, and his legacy, and will use his story to provide the opportunity for others to achieve their own American dream.