Lincoln University of Missouri 2024 Founders' Day Convocation program

Thursday, February 8, 2024 | 11:00 a.m.

Robert and Charlene Mitchell Auditorium Richardson Fine Arts Center Keynote Address: Dr. Ivory Toldson

Our Founding Founded in January 1866 by Civil War veterans of the 62nd and 65th United States Colored Infantries, Lincoln Institute opened in Jefferson City on Sept. 17, 1866, with two students. In 1887, Lincoln added college-level classes to the curriculum.

In 1924, a Lincoln Alumni Association meeting held on Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, Feb. 12, sparked the idea of annually celebrating the founders of Lincoln University.

Since 1925, Lincoln University has annually observed Founders’ Day, a reflection of our unwavering dedication to honoring, remembering and expressing gratitude for the people who paved the way for education and empowerment.

It is also a testament to the enduring commitment of our institution.

Today, 99 years later, the purpose of Founders’ Day remains unchanged. We will always be eternally grateful to the visionary founders who transformed a dream to life — Lincoln University — and led the way for thousands of Lincoln alumni to achieve their dreams of higher education.

Speaker Highlight Ivory Toldson, PhD National Director of Education Innovation and Research for the NAACP and former Executive Director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs Dr. Toldson, a distinguished leader in education and advocacy, has garnered widespread recognition for his impactful contributions. The Washington Post labeled him as a leader “who could conceivably navigate the path to the White House,” while Newsweek Magazine hailed him as one of the “30 leaders in the fight for Black men.” Dr. Toldson’s journey is marked by a profound commitment to addressing challenges faced by the African American community, earning him accolades for his influence on a national level.

Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Toldson has held key roles such as president and CEO of QEM Network, professor of counseling psychology at Howard University and editorin-chief of The Journal of Negro Education. Appointed by

President Barack Obama, he played a pivotal role in devising national strategies to sustain and expand federal support to HBCUs as the executive director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs. Dedicated to improving opportunities for Black students, Dr. Toldson’s leadership extends to advisory roles in organizations like Generation Ready and the National Council on Educating Black Children. Honored with awards such as the Equity Champion Award, he continues to be a driving force in advancing the cause of Black male achievement.

Family of the Year The Coachman Family Earl and Billie Coachman met at Lincoln University in 1967.

Earl was a first-generation college student from Riviera Beach, Florida, and Billie was a third-generation college student from Chicago, Illinois. Earl and Billie are part of a strong history of Blue Tiger graduates. Billie’s grandfather, Reginald Robinson, and mother, Frances Regina Robinson, received degrees from Lincoln, and Earl and Billie’s son, Royce, also attended Lincoln.

Lincoln was the beginning of Earl and Billie’s story. After both graduated from Lincoln in 1971, Earl worked for the 3M Company for 20 years, and Billie worked for State Farm Insurance Company for 33 years. They now live in Columbia, Missouri, and have been married for 52 years.

They have two sons and three grandchildren.

Currently living in Columbia, Missouri, Earl and Billie continue to give back to Lincoln. Earl is a member of the LU Athletic Boosters, and Billie coached cheerleading for four seasons (football and basketball). Billie also was the primary advisor to the campus chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

PROGRAM OF EVENTS Presiding DeNeia Thomas, PhD Acting Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Prelude Lincoln University Band, under the direction of Rhonda Harper Processional* War March of the Priests, by Felix Mendelssohn Lincoln University Band The Laying of the Wreath* Stevie Lawrence II, PhD, Acting Lincoln University President The National Anthem* The Star-Spangled Banner, by Francis Scott Key arr. Steven Smith, Lincoln University Band Musical Selection Lift Every Voice and Sing, lyrics by James Weldon Johnson and music by J. Rosamond Johnson, Lincoln University Choir Invocation* Rev. Ayanna Shivers, PhD St. Luke United Methodist Church *Please rise and remain standing

PROGRAM OF EVENTS (cont.)

Greetings Victor B. Pasley ’68 Board of Curators President Occasion Stevie Lawrence II, PhD Acting Lincoln University President Young Alumni Remarks Precious Hardy, PhD ’15 Musical Selection America the Beautiful, arranged by Jeffrey Cobb The Men of the Lincoln University Choir, under the direction of Michelle Gamblin-Green Introduction of Founders’ Day Speaker Darius Watson, PhD Assistant Provost For Academic Innovation, Outreach & Research Founders’ Day Address Ivory Toldson, PhD Former Executive Director of White House Initiative on HBCUs & NAACP Director for Education Innovation and Research

PROGRAM OF EVENTS (cont.)

Introduction of The Family of the Year Kevin Wilson, EdD Vice President for Advancement, Athletics and Campus Recreation Family of the Year The Coachman Family Family of the Year Remarks The Alma Mater* Lincoln, O, Lincoln

by Benjamin F. Allen Lincoln University Band Lincoln University Choir Benediction* Rev. Melissa Hatfield First Baptist Church Recessional* Pomp and Circumstance, by Edward Elgar Arranged by James Ployhar Lincoln University Band

*Please rise and remain standing

Alma Mater Lincoln, O, Lincoln We thy proud children are; Thou art our guiding star, Lincoln believe.

Ours are hearts that yearn for thee No matter where we be; Morning, noon and always, we Are Lincolnites.

Thy name, O Lincoln Shall e’er us be dear.

Thy mem’ries sacred, near Hold us to thee.

Thy honors ours shall be, Thy cause when just shall we With loyalty defend For thee we’d die.

Lincoln, O Lincoln!

We thy proud children are; Our hearts, both near and far Love thee with delight.

No matter where we are; Whether present, absent far, Morning, noon, we always are True Lincolnites!