Lincoln University (Missouri)

Summary

Lincoln University (Lincoln U) is a public, historically black, land-grant university in Jefferson City, Missouri. Founded in 1866 by African-American veterans of the American Civil War, it is a member-school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. This was the first black university in the state.[4] In the fall 2023, the university enrolled 1,799 students.

Lincoln University
Former name
Lincoln Institute (1866–1921)
MottoLaborare et studere
Motto in English
To labor and study
TypePublic historically black land-grant university
EstablishedJanuary 14, 1866 (1866-01-14)[1]
Academic affiliations
Space-grant
PresidentDr. Stevie Lawrence II (Acting)
Students1,799 (Fall 2023)[2]
Undergraduates1,730 (Fall 2022)
Postgraduates103 (Fall 2022)
Location, ,
United States

38°33′54″N 92°10′10″W / 38.565070°N 92.169470°W / 38.565070; -92.169470
Campus167 acres (67.6 ha)
(Main campus),
374.68 acres (151.628 ha) (University Farms)
ColorsNavy blue and white[3]
   
NicknameBlue Tigers
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division IIThe MIAA
MascotStripes
Websitewww.lincolnu.edu

History edit

Lincoln University Hilltop Campus Historic District
 
Young Hall
 
 
 
 
Location820 Chestnut St., Jefferson City, Missouri
Area9.6 acres (3.9 ha)
Built1923
Architectural styleColonial Revival
NRHP reference No.83000978[5]
Added to NRHPApril 28, 1983[6]

During the Civil War, the 62nd Colored Infantry regiment of the U.S. Army, largely recruited in Missouri, set up educational programs for its soldiers. At the end of the war it raised $6,300 to set up a black school, headed by a white abolitionist officer, Richard Foster and founded by James Milton Turner, a student and protege of John Berry Meachum. Foster opened the Lincoln Institute in Jefferson City in 1866. Lincoln had a black student body, both black and white teachers, and outside support from religious groups. The state government provided $5,000 a year to train teachers for the state's new black school system.[7][8] Under the Morrill Act of 1890, Missouri designated the school a land-grant university, emphasizing agriculture, mechanics and teaching.

By 1921, the college had expanded to offer graduate programs and was officially designated a university by the state of Missouri. It changed its name to Lincoln University of Missouri. In 1954, it opened its doors to applicants of all ethnicities. It provides both undergraduate and graduate courses.

On May 22, 2019, Jefferson City was hit by an EF-3 Tornado, causing significant damage to the historic President's Residence near the campus.

In May 2021, Lincoln University President Jerald Woolfolk announced her plans to step down at the end of the current school year.[9]

In 2024, Lincoln University alumni called for president John B. Moseley to step down following the suicide of vice-president Antoinette Candia-Bailey.[10]

Presidents edit

Athletics edit

The Lincoln University athletic teams are called the Blue Tigers. The university is a member of the NCAA Division II ranks, primarily competing in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) since the 2010–11 academic year (which they were a member on a previous stint from 1970–71 to 1998–99, but later left because it had not had a football team since after the 1989 fall season). The Blue Tigers previously competed in the Heartland Conference, of which it was a founding conference member, from 1999–2000 to 2009–10.

Lincoln competes in twelve intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball and track & field.[24]

The school revitalized its football program and re-entered the MIAA in 2010.[25] The Lincoln University Women's Track Team made NCAA Division II history by winning the Outdoor Track and Field Championships five consecutive times.[26]

Alma Mater "Lincoln, O, Lincoln" edit

The alma mater is sung to the tune of "Ach wie ist's möglich dann", a German folk song published in 1827 and variously credited to Georg Heinrich or Friedrich Silcher Kuchen (the West Point and Wake Forest alma mater songs use the same melody).[27]

Student activities edit

Founder's Day, traditionally held on the first Saturday of February, pays tribute to the founders of Lincoln University. Homecoming, usually held in October, is a celebratory time when family and friends of Lincoln University convene to participate in gala activities. Springfest, usually held in late April, celebrates the arrival of spring with games and other activities throughout the week.

Marching Musical Storm edit

The "Marching Musical Storm" is the university's marching band. It was founded in 1948 and is one of the largest student organizations on campus. The band performs at all home football games, select basketball games, and other school-sanctioned functions throughout the year.[28]

Student media edit

Notable faculty and staff edit

Notable alumni edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Find LU Facts Quick – Lincoln University". Lincolnu.edu. Archived from the original on October 15, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  2. ^ "Enrollment Report for Missouri Public and Comprehensive Independent Institutions". Missouri Department of Higher Education. December 1, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  3. ^ This Is Lincoln. A guide to branding our Lincoln University. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  4. ^ "Douglass University Opening". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. December 13, 1926. p. 18. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  5. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  6. ^ "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Lincoln Univ. Hilltop Campus Historic District". National Park Service. Retrieved September 8, 2023. With accompanying pictures
  7. ^ Lawrence O. Christensen (1999). Dictionary of Missouri Biography. U of Missouri Press. p. 312. ISBN 9780826260161.
  8. ^ Brenc, Willie (July 29, 2014). "John Berry Meachum (1789-1854)". Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  9. ^ "Lincoln University president resigning after three years". San Francisco Chronicle. May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  10. ^ Edgell, Holly (January 19, 2024). "Lincoln University alumni call for president's ouster after vice president's suicide". STLPR. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  11. ^ Christensen, Lawrence O., William E. Foley, and Gary Kremer, eds. Dictionary of Missouri Biography. University of Missouri Press, 1999, pp. 311–313.
  12. ^ a b Christensen, Lawrence O., William E. Foley, and Gary Kremer, eds. Dictionary of Missouri Biography. University of Missouri Press, 1999, pp. 590-591.
  13. ^ "Clipped From The Pittsburgh Courier". The Pittsburgh Courier. January 4, 1936. p. 7. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  14. ^ Marshall, Albert P., "Soldiers' Dream: A Centennial History of Lincoln University of Missouri" (1966). LU History Book Collection, 2., via https://core.ac.uk/download/235156089.pdf
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Parks, Arnold G. (September 18, 2012). Lincoln University: 1920-1970. Arcadia Publishing. pp. 31–32. ISBN 978-1-4396-1892-9.
  16. ^ "Obituary - Thomas Miller Jenkins, 70". Spectrum - Volume 18 Issue 18 , Virginia Tech Scholarly Communication University Libraries. January 25, 1996. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  17. ^ Gale Group; York, J.M. (2003). Who's Who Among African Americans. Gale / Cengage Learning. ISBN 9780787659158. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  18. ^ "David B. Henson, Lincoln U's 17th president". St. Louis American. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  19. ^ "Lincoln University President to retire". KBIA. April 24, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  20. ^ "Fisk names new president". Nashville Post. March 23, 2017.
  21. ^ "Jerald Jones Woolfolk, president, Lincoln University". Jefferson City Magazine. October 30, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  22. ^ "Lincoln University President Woolfolk moves on".
  23. ^ "21st Lincoln University President Moseley bio".
  24. ^ lubluetigers.com
  25. ^ Lincoln returns to MIAA – St. Joseph News-Press – February 2, 2009[permanent dead link]
  26. ^ "Lincoln University of Missouri Blue Tigers – Lincoln University Track & Field to be Inducted Into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame". Lincoln University. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
  27. ^ "Lincoln University Songs". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  28. ^ "Events – Marching Musical Storm – Lincoln University". Bluetigerportal.lincolnu.edu. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  29. ^ Widder, Keith R. (2005). Michigan Agricultural College: The Evolution of a Land-Grant Philosophy, 1855-1925. East Lansing: Michigan State University Press. pp. 346–348. ISBN 0870137344.
  30. ^ Hier, Sean P., "The forgotten architect: Cox, Wallerstein, and world-system theory," Race & Class, Vol. 42(3): 69–86.
  31. ^ "Oleta L. Crain - Military Officer and Civil Servant" (PDF). Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library.
  32. ^ Who's Who in the South and Southwest. Marquis Who's Who. 1976. p. 478. ISBN 978-0-8379-0815-1.
  33. ^ "Romona Robinson". WOIO. February 3, 2012. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  34. ^ "U.S. Grant Tayes". Missouri Remembers. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  35. ^ "Leroy Tyus, 83; former 20th Ward committeeman, state representative". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. October 18, 1998. p. 47 – via Newspaper.com.
  36. ^ Official Manual of the State of Missouri. Secretary of State. 1957. pp. 164, 167.
  37. ^ Richardson, Clement (1919). "A. Wilberforce Williams, M.D.". The National Cyclopedia of the Colored Race. National Publishing Company. p. 150.

External links edit

  • Official website  
  • Official athletics website