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 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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