Hall of Fame Member Biographies

Clyde Montgomery, Jr.

Dr. Clyde Montgomery Jr. served as the vice president of academic affairs at Langston University (LU) for 12 years. His prior administrative roles at LU included associate vice president of academic affairs, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, and chairperson of the Department of Music.

Montgomery’s academic background includes bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Mississippi Valley State University and a Ph.D from the University of Oklahoma, all in music education.

Starting in 1972, Montgomery held a faculty position in Langston’s Department of Music for 20 years, eventually becoming chairperson. As dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, he launched the Mathematics and Science Academy for high school students, established Langston University’s Undergraduate Research Day and collaborated with the University of Kansas and Fort Hayes State University to create undergraduate biomedical research programs. He also secured a $65,000 grant from the Department of Commerce to upgrade the university’s radio station, KALU, to a class A station.

As vice president of academic affairs, Montgomery championed initiatives to enhance student learning and curriculum development. He negotiated the acquisition of a building for undergraduate science research, established the University College, the Distance Education Laboratory and the Faculty Research Award. Additionally, he led an effort to infuse technology into the teaching and learning process, expanded off-campus and electronic course delivery and revised the general education curriculum. Montgomery also collaborated with chemistry and biology faculty to secure over $7 million from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation to boost STEM student numbers and support undergraduate research.

During his career at LU, Montgomery received several awards, including their McCabe Honor’s Program Innovation and Creative Leadership Award and the Distinguished Service Award. Upon retiring in 2019, Langston honored him with the title of vice president of academic affairs-emeritus.