Линкольн Университет: История и современность афроамериканского вуза в Миссури

University in Jefferson City, Missouri, U. S.

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. In the fall 2023, the university enrolled 1,799 students.

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 public school system for blacks, including mostly formerly enslaved men and women. Under the Morrill Act of 1890, Missouri designated the school a land grant university, emphasizing agriculture, mechanics and teaching. This provision helped to establish funding for its operations. By 1921, the college had expanded to offer graduate programs. It 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 that school year. In 2024, Lincoln University alumni called for president John B. Moseley to step down following the suicide of vice president Antoinette Candia Bailey. She had complained of harassment and unfair treatment by him.

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

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).

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.

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.