By Caleb Rockins
Staff Writer
Langston students, staff and anyone who knew Curtis Word were extremely saddened by the news they heard on December 22, 2023.
Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson, interim president of Langston University, informed the Langston community that Assistant Dean of Students Curtis Word, a beloved advisor and campus administrator passed away the day prior on December 21st.
The news hit many students and staff hard, especially members of the student organizations that he worked with regularly. He worked with the university Ambassadors, National Pan-Hellenic Council, and Student Activities Board. Word was regularly active with the student body and was known for being positive and smiling when you saw him throughout the day.
As Assistant Dean of Students, he made an impact despite having only worked at Langston for almost two years. Many people described Word a being a hardworking man that often pushed himself solely due to his love and passion for this school, even without Langston being his alma mater.
Activities Coordinator Asia Cockrell, Ambassador President Sydney Love, and the Beta Epsilon chapter of Phi Beta Sigma wanted to do something special in remembrance of him. They organized a balloon release in honor of his passing and later that night held a bonfire to convey all the feelings and last words the Langston community wanted to share.
Ms. Teaa Hopkins and Dean Joshua Busby helped the day come together and decided to do the celebration on January 26, which not only honored his passing but also celebrated his birthday, when he would have been 47 years old.
Cockrell said, “Over the winter break, me, Sydney, and the Beta Epsilon chapter got together to put all our ideas into play and worked with the advisors to make sure the day was going to go smooth and perfect for AD Word.”
The memorial event started at noon with multiple members of the student body, staff and faculty in attendance. The event started with Love, a brother from the Beta Epsilon Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma and Cockrell saying their last words to AD Word. Love started the kind words off and said, “AD Word was more than just an advisor; he was a mentor and a counselor. With heavy hearts and tearful eyes, we thank him for his service and time spent with Langston.”
A member of Beta Epsilon said, “AD Word was the man with the plan here at Langston University and him being a brother of Phi Beta Sigma, me and my brothers looked up to him and wanted that same drive and passion that he had. We will keep your light shining AD Word.”
Cockrell ended the first part of the memorial and said, “Words cannot express how I feel in this moment. And if you are hearing this AD Word, just know I will finish everything we discussed with you.” After the kind words were said, each of the roughly 50 attendees received a balloon and proceeded outside to the front of the Student Success Center to officially say goodbye to AD Word.
Students and staff counted to three and let go of the blue balloons and watched as they sent AD Word off. Students and staff comforted each other before going back inside, taking in the moment.
“I feel happy and content at the way we were able to honor Mr. Word today,” Cockrell said. “I know he would have been happy at the fact that we honored him considering his brief time being here at Langston. AD Word’s light shined bright while he was here, which made the students and staff gravitate towards him.”
Afterwards Love said “He really was a light to those who got to know him, he was an active believer in God and was always there for you when you needed a shoulder to cry on. He was like a therapist, and I am glad I got to know him as well as I did in that short span of time.”
AD Word touched a lot of hearts while being at Langston University and from what was shown at his balloon release, it was evident that his legacy was and will always be remembered. Caleb Rockins is a senior Business Management major
