The Gazette

Issue date: 2/18/09 Section: News

The 2009 Mr. Langston University, Eric Harris

Last week, Eric Harris, a junior from East St. Louis, Ill., was crowned Mr. Langston University 2009. It was a regal affair as four of Langston's finest young men vied for one of the university's highest honors.

Harris' competitors were Anthony Crawford, a sophomore from Los Angeles, Calif.; Kerry Seay, a junior from Oklahoma City; and Kim Holman, a sophomore from Oklahoma City.

Four judges determined the winner. Contestants competed in an interview, and the oratorical, lifestyle and fitness wear, casual wear, talent, and formalwear competitions.

During the oratorical competition, the contestants explained their platforms. Each contestant delivered his platform with dignity and poise. However, Holman won that portion of the event.

The talent competition was the most entertaining for the audience. The young men displayed their talents in poetry and in song. While each talent was great, Holman beat out the other contestants to win the talent competition.

Some of the contestants did not leave empty-handed. Anthony Crawford won 2nd runner-up; Holman won 1st runner-up and the ad-sales, oratorical, talent, and casual wear competitions. However, the contestants could not outperform Harris.

Harris is the 26th Mr. Langston University. According to LU Events Coordinator Deshnick Lewis, Harris' duties will include being the university's official Goodwill Ambassador along with Sasha Watts, Miss Langston, acting as an SGA officer, mentoring two freshman men, planning two workshops on the basis of his platform, planning and implementing community service projects along with Watts and members of the royal court, and serving as a role model for LU men. Harris must also exhibit charisma, intelligence, character, and be well spoken.

As Mr. Langston University, Harris will receive a $2,000 scholarship and free travel expenses when on university business.

Harris is excited to be Mr. Langston University 2009.

"It is an honor and a dream come true. It was a goal but it now a job position that I will do my best to uphold," Harris said.

Last year's pageant winner, James Pierce, said serving as Mr. Langston helped him grow.

"Being Mr. Langston has been a learning experience. I learned more business etiquette. I learned how to carry myself in a more respectable way as a young man should, more than just how to carry myself being Mr. Langston," Pierce said.

Pierce advises Harris not to let his title change him.

"Strive to do your best and give unto God the rest. Be Mr. Langston University. Don't let the title of Mr. Langston make you."

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