LINCOLN UNIVERSITY Opening Convocation 2024
Thursday, September 5 • 11 a.m.
Mitchell Auditorium
Richardson Fine Arts Center
Order of Program
Presiding
Stevie Lawrence II, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
*Academic Processional
War March of the Priests from Athalie, arranged by Felix Mendelssohn
Lincoln University Band
*Posting of Colors
ROTC Color Guard
*National Anthem
Star-Spangled Banner, Frances Scott Key & John Stafford Smith
Lincoln University Band
*Musical Selection
Lift Every Voice and Sing, James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson
Lincoln University Choir
Greetings
Victor B. Pasley ’68
President of the Board of Curators
John B. Moseley, Ed.D.
21st President of Lincoln University
Jesse Canamore ’26
22nd Mister Lincoln University
Yessnia Austin Dixon ’25
100th Miss Lincoln University
Student Charge and University Oath
Jillian Patton ’25
President of the Student Government Association
Musical Selection
Babethandaza, arranged by Victor Johnson
Lincoln University Choir
Introduction of Convocation Speaker
Aniah Jones ’26
Campus Activity Board
Convocation Address
Darren Smith ’00
Recognition of Guests and Announcements
Stevie Lawrence II, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
*Retiring of Colors
ROTC Color Guard
*Alma Mater
Lincoln, O, Lincoln, arranged by Benjamin F. Allen
Lincoln University Band
* Academic Recessional
Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1, Sir Edward Elgar
Lincoln University Band
Eugene Diggs II, Director of Bands
Michelle Gamblin-Green, Director of the Choirs
Keynote Speaker Darren Smith
Darren Smith, a Kansas City native, is currently an on-air talent and sports director at Fox Sports Radio in Kansas City.
After graduating from Kansas City’s Central High School, Smith began his journey at Lincoln University in the fall of 1996, where he became freshman class president. In his role as president, Smith spearheaded a voter registration drive that included the Missouri governor, treasurer and secretary of state registering students for the presidential elections. His leadership was evident when he was selected to serve on the Lincoln presidential search committee, which resulted in the hiring of the University’s 17th president, Dr. David B. Henson.
In his sophomore year, Smith was appointed by Gov. Mel Carnahan as the student representative on the LU Board of Curators for a two-year term. During his first year, he successfully advocated for changing the University’s flat $10 activity fee per student to $5 per credit hour, which significantly increased the activity fee budget that benefits students today. His work on the board also saw the construction of Anthony Hall, home to the Honors College, and reinstatement of the football program and marching band. In the summer of 1999, Smith became the first student selected to receive a fellowship at the White House, working directly under President Bill Clinton.
After graduation, Smith worked at the University for three years as a photojournalist and assisted the athletic department in broadcasting its football and basketball games while also performing with the marching band.
After leaving Lincoln University, Smith worked in some political campaigns before joining the radio broadcast field. He now covers the Kansas City Chiefs, Royals, Sporting Kansas City and the University of Kansas football and basketball teams. He has covered the last six Super Bowls, two World Series, two Final Fours, world title fights and more.
Smith has won numerous awards in journalism, including a 2020 Kansas Association of Broadcasters award for program of the year for his show focusing on the death of George Floyd.
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., Board Member
Stacia R. Bradley Brown ’74, Ed.D., Board Member
Richard G. Callahan, J.D., Board Member
Terry Rackers, B.S., Board Member
Don W. Cook Sr. ’67, Ed.D., Curator Emeritus
Greg S. Gaffke ’69, B.S., Curator Emeritus
Frank J. Logan Sr., M.S., Curator Emeritus
Winston J. Rutledge ’65, ’71, Ph.D., Curator Emeritus
Marvin O. Teer Jr. ’85, J.D., Curator Emeritus
Class year designates graduation from Lincoln University.
The 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 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 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!
