‘Thank you is inadequate’: George Henderson reflects on his 58 years at OU during legacy lecture

Editor's note: This story was updated at 10:37 a.m. on April 15 to remove incorrect information stating George Henderson received his Ph.D. from Langston University.

About 200 people filled the seats of Holmberg Hall to commemorate the legacy of civil rights activist and OU professor George Henderson.

In March, Henderson announced his retirement after a 58-year career with the university.

Dr. George Henderson’s Legacy Lecture – An Evening of Reflection, Wisdom, and Inspiration was held Monday night by OU Student Affairs where Henderson reflected on his personal journey at OU and shared lessons about leadership, justice and humanity.

Henderson began the evening by expressing his gratitude to the OU community for years of service and activism in the OU community. 

“Thank you is inadequate,” Henderson said. 

Henderson joined the OU faculty as the third full-time Black professor in 1967. However, Henderson said he had no intention of accepting a job in Oklahoma when he first visited. 

“I was the 13th African American in the United States with that degree, “ Henderson said. “I could have gone anywhere and I had offers from everywhere.” 

Before his move to Oklahoma, Henderson was an advocate of racial equality in Detroit. He worked with civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, but when Henderson visited Oklahoma for the first time, he said he felt he was chosen by God to be there.

“I needed Oklahoma like I needed air and water and food because I had to prove to myself and to my children that I was an authentic civil rights leader, activist and teacher,” Henderson said. 

Henderson said he was focused on theory rather than action when he was younger. He said he needed Oklahoma to remind him to live what he was teaching.

Henderson told a story about his daughter’s white boyfriend coming to his house to pick his daughter up for a date. Henderson told the boy “I teach that stuff at the university, we don’t live it in this house.” 

Henderson said his daughter reminded him that he taught not to judge people by the color of their skin but by their character. 

“They integrated before I did,” Henderson said. “I was a phony. I was a pretender.” 

Henderson said he was “reborn” as a teacher after that. He decided to live what he was teaching. Henderson said because of the OU community, he is no longer a hypocrite. 

“I’m a slow learner,” Henderson said. “I did a lot of things when I was younger. I was a racist, I was a homophobe, I was a xenophobe, you name it. One by one they were peeled away, and I began to do better.” 

Henderson said he has earned more honors than any other professor at OU, been interviewed by more media sources than any other professor at OU and has more awards than any other professor at OU. 

“When (people) ask ‘What are you most proud of?’ I say none of these things on the wall, these awards or honors,” Henderson said. “The greatest honor that I have ever had was to have the privilege of teaching the children of Oklahoma and to know what love truly meant.” 

David Surratt, vice president of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, hosted a Q&A session following Henderson’s speech. 

“Like many of you, I've benefited from your teaching, from your mentorship and your support,” Surratt said to Henderson.

Surratt asked what valuable lessons Henderson has taken away from his years of teaching. Henderson replied that he has always viewed his students as his children.

“Children are always listening and learning, so I have to be authentic,” Henderson said. “I want to be authentic and I want to be honest.”

Audience member Jeremiah McBurrows, a freshman journalism major, asked where Henderson first gained the inspiration to teach.

“I was born with it,” Henderson said.

He attributed his sensitivity he’s practiced throughout his career to his mother who died months before Henderson’s induction into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2003.

“My mother loved,” Henderson said. “She loved me, she loved other people and she taught me to share that love we had with other people.”

Kaleb Wallace, a freshman engineering major, asked when in his life Henderson found contentment after years of activism and teaching.

“I am most content with myself when I know I’ve done the best I can,” Henderson said. “If tomorrow I am not here, I can say ‘You did the best you could George.’”

After questions, Henderson was honored by his fraternity brothers at Kappa Alpha Psi with a plaque to congratulate Henderson on 58 years of commitment to the university.

Henderson scholars and audience members flooded the stage to speak with and take pictures with Henderson at the conclusion of his farewell speech. 

“When students ask me ‘Why did you come to OU?’ I tell them ‘I came for you,’” Henderson said. “I stay for you. I love you. So I thank you for who you are, what you are and what you’ve helped me to become.” 

PHOTOS: Dr. George Henderson Legacy Lecture

This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure and Ismael Lele.