Lincoln University

Lincoln University
Name	Lincoln University
Established	1854
Type	Public, HBCU, Land-grant
City	Lincoln University
State	Pennsylvania
Country	United States
Campus	Rural, 422 acres
Colors	Orange and blue
Nickname	Lions
Affiliations	Thurgood Marshall College Fund
Website	www.lincoln.edu

Lincoln University. Founded in 1854 as the Ashmun Institute, it is the United States' first degree-granting Historically Black College and University. Chartered by the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the institution was renamed in 1866 in honor of Abraham Lincoln. Located in southern Chester County, it operates as a public, land-grant university and is a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

History

The institution was founded in 1854 by John Miller Dickey, a Presbyterian minister, and his wife, Sarah Emlen Cresson, as the Ashmun Institute, named for Jehudi Ashmun, a religious leader and early agent of the American Colonization Society. Its original mission was to provide classical education for African Americans, particularly men of African descent. Following the American Civil War and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the board of trustees voted to rename the school in 1866. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it educated a significant portion of the nation's African-American professionals, including many who would later teach at or lead other HBCUs across the Jim Crow South. It became a state-related institution in 1972 and was designated a land-grant university by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2022, expanding its research and extension mission.

Academics

The university is organized into several colleges, including the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and the College of Science, Technology, Mathematics, and Health Professions. It offers a range of undergraduate degrees and select graduate programs, including a master's degree in Human Services. Notable academic strengths have historically included teacher education and the sciences. The university's curriculum emphasizes a liberal arts foundation and has produced a distinguished number of graduates who have pursued advanced degrees at institutions like Howard University, University of Pennsylvania, and Harvard University. Its faculty are engaged in research across disciplines, supported by its status as a land-grant institution.

Campus

The main campus encompasses over 422 acres in Lincoln University, a borough in southern Chester County. The campus features a mix of historic and modern architecture, with several buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Lincoln University Campus Historic District. Key facilities include the Langston Hughes Memorial Library, named for the famed poet and alumnus, and the Manuel Rivero Hall science building. The campus also houses the Thurgood Marshall Living Learning Center and the International Cultural Center, reflecting its global engagement. Athletic facilities, including the Manuel Rivero Stadium, support the university's NCAA Division II programs.

Student life

Student life is centered around a variety of organizations, including the Student Government Association, fraternities and sororities of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, and numerous academic and cultural clubs. The university has a strong tradition in the arts, with active programs in theater, music, and visual arts, often hosting events at the Ware Family Theater. Campus traditions include homecoming celebrations and events honoring the legacy of notable alumni like Langston Hughes and Thurgood Marshall. Religious life is supported by several campus ministries, and residential life is organized through several halls, including the Thurgood Marshall Living Learning Center.

Notable alumni

The university boasts a distinguished list of alumni who have made significant contributions to civil rights, the arts, politics, and academia. Renowned poet and playwright Langston Hughes is among its most famous graduates. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States, also attended. Other notable alumni include Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first President of Nigeria; Roscoe Lee Browne, an accomplished actor; Lillian E. Fishburne, the first African-American woman promoted to Rear Admiral in the United States Navy; and Gil Scott-Heron, a influential musician and spoken-word performer.

Athletics

The university's athletic teams, known as the Lions, compete in the NCAA Division II as a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). The CIAA is a historic conference comprised of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The Lions field teams in sports including football, basketball, track and field, and cross country. Home football games are played at Manuel Rivero Stadium. The university's athletic program emphasizes the development of student-athletes, aligning with the broader educational mission of the institution and its role within the Thurgood Marshall College Fund network.

Category:Universities and colleges in Pennsylvania Category:Historically black universities and colleges in the United States Category:Land-grant universities and colleges Category:Educational institutions established in 1854