Lincoln University Board of Curators
Victor B. Pasley ’68, M.S.Ed., President
Everidge Cade ’73, B.S., Vice President
Tina Shannon, M.P.A., Secretary
Richard R. Popp, J.D., Treasurer
Vernon V. Bracy ’82, B.S.
Stacia R. Bradley Brown ’74, Ed.D.
Richard G. Callahan, J.D.
Terry Rackers, B.S.
Nia Walker, Student Representative
President’s Leadership Team
John B. Moseley, Ed.D., 21st President
Tim Abney ’78, B.S., Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation
Ashton Cleveland, Ed.D., Chief Operating Officer
Greg Emanuel Jr., M.A., Chief Information Officer
Gary Hill, D.C.J., Chief of Police and Vice President of Campus Culture
Stevie Lawrence II, Ph.D., Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Kathy Mangels, M.A., Interim Chief Financial Officer
Tobias Morgan, Ph.D., Chief Student Affairs Officer
April Robinson, M.S., Executive Director and Chief Human Resources Officer
Danisha Williams, Ed.D., Executive Director of Enrollment Management
Grant Winrow, Ed.D., Vice President for University Advancement
Class year designates graduation from Lincoln University.
Mission Statement
Lincoln University of Missouri, a historically Black, 1890 land-grant, public, comprehensive institution, provides a diverse population access to excellent educational opportunities through teaching, research, and extension services within a nurturing, student-centered environment.
The History of Lincoln University
As the American Civil War drew to a close in 1865, two regiments of emancipated Black soldiers took action on a decision that would reverberate from their Army station at Fort McIntosh, Texas, all the way to the Missouri state capital. The men, who learned to read and write as part of their training in boot camp, were determined to start a school for other freed Black people when they returned to their homes in Missouri after the war. The soldiers of the 62nd United States Colored Infantry, whose pay averaged $13 a month, came up with $5,000 to
establish an educational institution in Jefferson City, which they named Lincoln Institute. The 65th Colored Infantry contributed another $1,400 to the school’s endowment.
Preparations moved swiftly to open Lincoln Institute the following year. The charter specified three requirements:
1. The institution shall be designed for the special benefit of emancipated African Americans.
2. It shall be located in the state of Missouri.
3. Its fundamental idea shall be to combine study and labor.
On January 14, 1866, an organization committee formally established Lincoln Institute. By June of the same year, it incorporated and the committee became the Lincoln Institute Board of Trustees. Richard Baxter Foster, a former first lieutenant in the 62nd Infantry, was named first principal of Lincoln Institute. On September 17, 1866, the school opened its doors to the first class of two students in an old frame building in Jefferson City.
Presentation
of Graduates
Conferral of Academic Degrees
Tunsisa Hurisso, Ph.D.
Interim Dean, College of Agriculture, Environmental and Human Sciences
Sunder Balasubramanian, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
DeNeia Thomas, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Professional Studies
ROTC Swearing-In
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Ret. Col. Douglas Rose ’90 9 a.m. ceremony
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Alumni Oath
Dennis Jackson ’88 Lincoln University ’80s Alumni Group 9 a.m. ceremony
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Brandon Kendrick ’10 Alumni Affairs Co-Coordinator 1 p.m. ceremony
*Alma Mater
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Lincoln, O, Lincoln, arranged by Benjamin F. Allen Lincoln University Band and Choir
*Benediction
Rev. Michael Dunn, First Christian Church, 9 a.m. ceremony
Rev. W. T. Edmonson Sr. ’75, ’85, Second Baptist Church, 1 p.m. ceremony
*Recessional
Pomp and Circumstance, Military March No. 1, Sir Edward Elgar Lincoln University Band
Michelle Gamblin-Green, Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choirs
Eugene Diggs II, Director of Bands
Ceremonial Marshal
Brian Norris, Ph.D., Macebearer and University Marshal
Announcer: Darius Watson, Ph.D., Assistant Provost for Academic Innovation, Outreach & Research
Floral Arrangements: Busch’s Florist | Interpretive Services: Columbia Interpreting Service
* Please stand for items marked with an asterisk.
2025 Commencement Speaker
Harold Lee Martin Sr.
Harold Lee Martin Sr. served as chancellor of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University for 15 years, bringing transformative leadership experience to the role. The first alumnus to serve as the university’s chief executive, Martin retired as chancellor in 2024 and now serves as chancellor emeritus.
Martin’s leadership focused on long-range strategic planning and tactical leadership that dramatically improved North Carolina A&T’s standing among the nation’s land-grant, doctoral research universities, as well as among historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). During his tenure, A&T expanded research contract and grant funding, boosted its status as one of North Carolina’s top three public research institutions, reorganized its colleges and academic programs, increased endowment holdings by 150% and became the nation’s largest HBCU.
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He was instrumental in establishing and fostering strategic partnerships, such as the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering and the Gateway Research Park in collaboration with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. As a member of Opportunity Greensboro, he helped forge an alliance between the city’s seven colleges and universities and the business community for collaboration in knowledge-based economic development.
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Before his election as chancellor of A&T, Martin served as senior vice president for academic affairs for the University of North Carolina System. He also served as chief administrator and chancellor of Winston-Salem State University and in a number of administrative posts at A&T including vice chancellor for the Division of Academic Affairs, dean of the College of Engineering and chair of the Department of Electrical Engineering.
A proponent of community engagement, Martin has served on the boards of organizations such as the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development, the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the American Council on Education, the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Review Advisory Board, Research Triangle International Inc. and National Collegiate Athletic Association LimitedResource Institutions Advisory Group.
Time magazine named Martin an education and business thought leader in its August 2020 edition of The Leadership Brief. Other accolades include the Ebony Power 100 list; the Triad Business Journal’s list of Most Admired CEOs; named America’s most influential HBCU leader by HBCU Digest; and the Education Leadership Award from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Wake Forest University awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 2007. In 2024, Martin received the APLU Peter McPherson Lifetime Achievement Award and the North Carolina Governor’s Award for Public Service. In 2025, Martin and his wife, Davida, received the United Negro College Fund Community Impact Award.
A native of Winston-Salem, N.C., Martin received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from North Carolina A&T State University and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech. He is a member of Tau Beta Pi (The Engineering Honor Society), Eta Kappa Nu Association, The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Beta Gamma Sigma and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
Honor Graduates
Spring 2025
Valedictorian and Salutatorian
Kelcie Rhimes – Valedictorian
Kizan David – Salutatorian
Summa Cum Laude – With Highest Honors
Amy R. Campbell
Monae Brianna Carey
Kenzie Kathryn Crader
Kizan J.T. David
Morgan G. Heiland
Hiba Al Hamami
Travis Barrett
Kristal J. Bevely
GPA of 3.8 and above
Emily R. Helmig
Torri Kathryn Hinnah
Patrick Alan Reinkemeyer
Kelcie N. Rhimes
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Kaitlyn J. Blair
Tabitha Kay Imhoff
Kiara E. Kempker
Erin Lambert
Magna Cum Laude – With High Honors
GPA of 3.6 to 3.79
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Michael Chipungu
Nicole Lynn Fann
Tanasia M. Johnson
Elena Meyer
Haley Alexis Borgmeyer
Tala A. Caples
Daija A. Ammons (posthumously)
Whitney B. Ankton
Ob E. Archibong
Yessnia D. Austin-Dixon
Laila Yvonne Barnes
Aalycia T. Brown
Blayden Wren Brown
Jared W. Campbell
Kewani T. Campbell
Ross D. Campbell
Megnissou Ariane Capo
Chichi Radji
Ayreona D. Carter
Sabrina Suzanne Childress
Keri L. Cobb
D’onna P. Bailey
Kathleen R. Dake
Maria C. Villamil
Nia C. Walker
Ryan T. Zoellner
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Madison N. Rohrer
Destiny A. White
Ash R. Woods
Caleb C. Wright
Rachel R. Meyer
Shanice L. Reid
Cum Laude – With Honors
GPA of 3.2 to 3.59
Nasyah Simone Day
Nicole Reann Dowd
Shamar-Kay S. Fable
Kamoy Tamarie Fagan
Aysia Nicole Finney
Alida Love F. Fozeu
Sophia Xing Yue Haight
Tobias Hunter
Denita Jackson
Christian A. King
Paul J. Kozicki
Lindsay G. Marcum
Lily N. Meek-Dennis
DauJaughn A. Murray
Henry Mwanza
Bisola P. Oni
Nattesha K. Palmer
Kayla E. Pleasant
Leslie M. Robertson
Samore’a N. Robins Allen
Tyson Lamon Robinson Jr.
Millie Rochelle Savage
Rylie P. Schmidt
Jacob C. Schrimpf
Alayna J. Seeney
Shevanae S. Thomas
TM
Jamar M. Treasure
Shane Cooper Verslues
Chris’ta M. White
Kalen Lamar Williams
Sierra Katherine
Michelle Willman
Gina L. Wilson
Franck-Didier Yetna
* Honors are calculated by GPA at the end of the fall semester. Spring graduate honors are subject to change based on final grades.
Carolyn R. Swillum, Criminal Justice
Mauriah E. Taylor, Sociology
Terrionna Taylor*, Psychology
Jayla R. Templeton, Psychology
Shevanae S. Thomas, Psychology
Stephanie L. Torres, Psychology
Maria C. Villamil, Psychology
Nia C. Walker, Political Science
Kenlyn Deshae Washington, Political Science
Janae D. Weber-Moore, Political Science
Chris’ta M. White, Social Work
Michaela K. White, Criminal Justice
Jeremiah Martese Williams, Criminal Justice
Denzel J. Wilson, Psychology
Ash R. Woods, Psychology
Ryan T. Zoellner, Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Liberal Studies
John Amoah*
Makaia L. Andrews*
Francesca S. Evans
Hollis A. Franklin*
Kayla Alleyne Gittens-Stronge*
Jasmine D. Hill*
Demario A. Perkins
Otis Lee Jackson, Business Administration
Charles L. Johnson Jr.*, Business Administration
Kelis Y. Johnson, Business Administration
Keyonce D. Littleton, Business Administration
Floyd H. Lyles-Tannan*, Accounting
Danneika M. Lyn*, Business Administration
Earnest McCraney, Business Administration
DauJaughn A. Murray, Marketing
Henry Mwanza, Business Administration
Melissa A. Oliver*, Business Administration
Nattesha K. Palmer, Business Administration
Kayla E. Pleasant, Business Administration
Mya Lauren Price*, Business Administration
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School of Business
Bachelor of Science
Terell S. Adetunji, Business Administration
Ethan R. Backes*, Business Administration
Sara Elizabeth Beck*, Accounting, Business Administration
Xoe S. Binford, Business Administration
Ross D. Campbell, Marketing
Guilherme Goncalves Capaldi, Business Administration
Monae Brianna Carey, Business Administration
Aa’laiza A. Cole, Business Administration
Jeffrey Cunningham*, Business Administration
Saylor Elizabeth Haney*, Accounting, Business Administration
Emily R. Helmig, Accounting
Torri Kathryn Hinnah, Business Administration
Nichole C. Hoecker, Accounting
Elliott E. Hull*, Business Administration
Tabitha Kay Imhoff, Business Administration, Marketing
Remon Rabie*, Marketing
Shanice L. Reid, Business Administration
Tavianna Rice, Business Administration
Samore’a N. Robins Allen, Business Administration
Madison N. Rohrer, Accounting
Ashley N. Schaben, Business Administration
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Rylie P. Schmidt, Marketing
George Keith Sherman, Business Administration
Rakeisha D. Smith*, Business Administration
Mara Struemph*, Accounting
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Emily M. Thompson, Business Administration
Youssouf Timera, Business Administration
Jamar M. Treasure, Business Administration
Lamont Tyres Union*, Business Administration
Shane Cooper Verslues, Business Administration
Izaiah R. Weaver, Accounting
Artagus I. Williams*, Business Administration
Franck-Didier Yetna, Business Administration
School of Education
Bachelor of Science
Yessnia D. Austin-Dixon, Wellness, Health Promotions
Sydney R. Evans, Wellness, Kinesiology
Kamoy Tamarie Fagan, Wellness, Kinesiology
Jared K. Fulghem, Wellness, Kinesiology
Jovanna M. Gustave*, Wellness, Sports Management
Sophia Xing Yue Haight, Wellness, Health Promotions
Andrew M. Hueste, Wellness, Health Promotions
Shana M. Nunn*, Wellness, Kinesiology
Leslie M. Robertson, Wellness, Kinesiology
Antonio R. Steward, Wellness, Sports Management
Briauna J. Stewart, Wellness, Kinesiology
* Asterisk indicates August or December 2024 graduate.
Kaseia Janae Tillman, Wellness, Kinesiology
Lamarco J. Yates*, Wellness, Sports Management
Bachelor of Science in Education
Jessica M. Antweiler*, Social Science Education
Kristal J. Bevely, Elementary Education
Millicent Black, Elementary Education
Lindsey Jo Brandt, Elementary Education
Blayden Wren Brown, Physical Education
Amy R. Campbell, Elementary Education
Aubrey C. Senevey, Special Education, Elementary Education
D’onna P. Bailey, Special Education
Nasyah Simone Day, Elementary Education
Abbigail L. Doggett*, Elementary Education
Dae’Nisha Dudley*, Special Education
Nicole Lynn Fann, Special Education
Aysia Nicole Finney, Special Education, Elementary Education
Claire Elizabeth Gallaher, Elementary Education
Amanda S. Goodall*, Special Education
Kennedy J. Holzschuh*, Elementary Education
Ladonna Edwina Hull*, Special Education, Elementary Education
Kiara E. Kempker, Elementary Education
Lindsay G. Marcum, Special Education
Rachel R. Meyer, Elementary Education
Beverly Penermon, Elementary Education
Evey Lynn Redel Sharisin*, Special Education, Elementary Education
Maggie L. Reed*, Special Education
Lukeitta Y. Richardson, Elementary Education
Bethany W. Rimel*, Special Education
Jacob C. Schrimpf, Social Science Education
Leah D. Shackles*, Special Education
Kellie N. Tarpening, Elementary Education
Tanisha Tunstall*, Elementary Education
Miranda C. Fennewald*, Elementary Education
Destiny A. White, Special Education, Elementary Education
School of Nursing
Bachelor of Science
Whitney B. Ankton
Brooke Baldwin*
Gracie R. Bernskoetter*
Rubi L. Bolinger
Haley Catherine Brandt*
Samantha N. Brooks*
Slena M. Caldwell*
Megnissou Ariane Capo Chichi Radji
Ayreona D. Carter
Jemaima C. Charley*
Sabrina Suzanne Childress
Nicole Reann Dowd
Makayla Donn Everts
Sierra N. Fischer*
Alida Love F. Fozeu
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Mackenzie C. Gee
Kenley Marie Haslag*
Claire Elizabeth Kampeter*
Savannah M. Kirchner*
Mackenzie A. Kueffer*
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Robert Shawn Parker
Kameryn M. Patterson*
Hannah Jewel Rader*
Michael M. Romano
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Sierra Katherine Michelle Willman
Brooklyn A. Worthey*
Associate of Applied Science
Cynthia F. Akery
Zyralyn P. Bituin
Jenny F. Brock
Madison D. Busby
Genevieve Doyle
Tonya L. Edwards
Joshua D. Hamilton
Kaitlynn S. Hargraves
Stephen I. Ilodibe
Brittoni N. Matchell
Hailey R. Miller
Heidi C. Newsome
Alexis S. O’Bryant
Bliss B. Swayne
Rachael Waters
* Asterisk indicates August or December 2024 graduate.
University Oath
We will never bring disgrace to Lincoln University by any act of cowardice or dishonesty. We will fight for the ideals and sacred things of the University. We will transmit our University to those who come after us, greater, better and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.
The Alumni Pledge
As an alumnus of the University, I commit myself to uphold the ideals of Lincoln and to reflect its teaching. My voice and my hands shall exalt and preserve its good name.
I shall be responsible, active, courageous and self-sacrificing in every effort to establish for my Alma Mater an even higher place in its service to teaching, to discovering and to disseminating useful knowledge among men and women of the state, the nation, the earth.
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The Alma Mater
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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 to 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!