Lincoln Institute of Jefferson, MO is America’s oldest historically black university in the United States. Founded in 1854, the University was originally founded as the Ashmun Institute, named after Jehudi Ashmun, who also worked to establish the country of Liberia. It was renamed to honor Abraham Lincoln in 1866.
The school was funded by soldiers of the 62nd Colored Infantry with $5,000. An additional $1,400 was given by the 65th Colored Infantry. Lincoln Institute officially opened its doors on September 17, 1866 under the leadership of first lieutenant Richard Baxter Foster. Finally, in 1921, it was renamed Lincoln University. After years of additional accreditations, Lincoln University of Missouri is a four-year University with an open admission to students of all races. It is also a NCAA Division II school in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA).
As the school now works to build funding, it has reorganized its executive staff to cut costs, sparking the need for public support. It was just announced that the building and grounds director, a tutor and the vice presidents for administration, academic affairs and university advancement will lose their jobs on January 1st. In addition, the vice president for student affairs is becoming the dean of students with reduced responsibilities and a nearly 22 percent salary cut, from $102,000 to $80,000. The change is, in part, due to a lower student enrollment (roughly 200 students less than the previous year) and the state’s funding for higher education. The school also plans to create the Center for Academic Advising and the Center for Career and Academic Support.
Lincoln is also the alma mater of many notables, including tennis pioneer Althea Gibson, Tuskegee Airman Captain Wendell O. Pruitt and comedian Joe Torry.
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Little Known Black History Fact: Lincoln University
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