ARCHIVES: Earl Mitchell, First African-American Faculty Member to Earn Tenure

Earl D. Mitchell, Jr. is an outstanding scientist and scholar and has been recognized nationally for research and academic contributions in the field of biochemistry during his 42-year professional career at Oklahoma State University. He is historically significant as OSU’s first tenure track African-American faculty member, receiving appointment as associate professor with tenure in 1972 and professor in 1982. He also has held key administrative positions, including Assistant Dean of the Graduate College and Associate Vice President for Multicultural Affairs. In this oral history interview excerpt from the O-STATE Stories oral history collection, Mitchell touches upon the tenure process and the climate on campus during the late-1960s. For more, visit the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program at the OSU Library.