Lincoln College snips the ribbon launching its celebration of 150 years

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[February 09, 2015]  LINCOLN - On Friday afternoon a cool and cloudy, but not cold day, a large group gathered at the foot of the steps of University Hall on the campus of Lincoln College. The occasion was to mark the exact anniversary date of the 150th Anniversary of the College.

On February 6, 1865 the Illinois General Assembly signed the charter for Lincoln University. Though the school is today referred to and considered a college, the fact is, it does still maintain its university status, and over the years has handed out several honorary doctorate degrees as a part of that status.

Friday, college president John Blackburn stood at the top of the steps of University Hall and welcomed the group to the Charter Day ribbon cut. He expressed gratitude to the college forefathers, the Cumberland Presbyterian Churches.



“We are all very fortunate that the Cumberland Presbyterian Churches in Illinois, Indiana and Iowa formed a commission to start a new college.” And, “…that they came to Lincoln to look at our location.”

Blackburn went on to recount how the choice of location was made. The story goes that a delegation of Presbyterians was appointed to search out the ideal location for a Presbyterian University. The delegation had learned there was a piece of property available in Lincoln, and they traveled to town to see it. On the day they were to inspect the property, the sky was gray and cloud covered. As they arrived at the site though, the clouds parted, and the sun shone down brightly on the land. The delegation took this to be a sign from God that this location had God's approval and that He would bless the college built there.

Blackburn concluded, “It is hard to believe that 150 years ago this college started and today we are here celebrating all the cultural history and things that have happened.”

Blackburn ended by saying a thanks again to all in attendance and extended an invitation for everyone to join the college in the celebrations this weekend and throughout the year ahead.



He then introduced Lincoln Mayor Keith Snyder. Snyder began by saying, “For 150 years people have been coming to Lincoln to be educated, and we very much appreciate our temporary residents of Lincoln who are here to further their education.”

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Snyder said the college is also important to the people of Lincoln who stayed here. He noted, “My mother graduated from Lincoln High School in 1951, and she would be the first in her family to go to college. She chose Lincoln College. She was the salutatorian of the class of 1953, which meant she was number two in a class of 13.” He also explained that because there was a teacher shortage at that time, his mother was able to get her teaching certificate with just her Associate’s Degree from Lincoln College. He noted that for this reason, the college had made a difference in his family, and that he was certain it has made a difference in many families over the years.

Snyder then read a proclamation signed by himself and the Council declaring the day as Lincoln College Sesquicentennial Day in Lincoln, and also declaring this year 2015 as the Lincoln College Sesquicentennial Celebration Year.

After presenting Blackburn with a copy of the proclamation, the two men came down the steps to join a group of college trustees and representatives for the official ribbon cut.



Andi Hake of the Logan County Alliance and Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce spoke briefly offering Lincoln College congratulations for its 150th anniversary. She noted, “It is a really great day for the Alliance and the Chamber. We got to honor a business downtown with a State of Illinois Award, and now we get to honor one of our many educational systems in Lincoln. We are so fortunate to have Lincoln College.”

The ribbon was cut followed by a round of applause and cheers from those gathered.

[Nila Smith]

 

 

 

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