LU History Timeline

Founded in 1866 by the 62^nd and 65^th United States Colored Infantries, Lincoln University now stands as the oldest Historically Black College and University (HBCU) west of the Mississippi and the only institution in America founded by African American Civil War veterans.

1866	January: conceived plan for Lincoln Institute.
	February: formal Board of Trustees formed
	June: Articles of Association accepted by Circuit Court of Cole County
	September 17: first classes of Lincoln Institute held in a dilapidated, two-room building, abandoned by the public school system.  Classes in reading, writing and arithmetic were taught by Richard B. Foster and attended by Henry Brown and Cornelius Chappelle.
1869	Lincoln acquires land for the present site of campus
1870	February 14: becomes Normal School under the Morrill Act of 1862
1871	First building dedicated on July 4th.  Dedication celebration involved a reunion of the 62nd and 65th U.S.C.T.
1879	Lincoln Institute becomes a fully, state-supported Normal School
1887	Passage of Section 717A in the Missouri Laws allowed for students who obtained the Normal diploma to teach in Missouri without further examination
1891	Lincoln was designated as a land grant institution under the Second Morrill Act of 1890 Agricultural and industrial courses added
1921   1925   1926	Lincoln Institute became Lincoln University with the aid of Walthall Moore.  Established the Board of Curators. Lincoln University Laboratory High School accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Teacher training program added at the University.
1932	Scroller’s Club, pledges of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, established The Lincoln University Clarion on April 26.
1935	Lincoln University Law School established Four-year Arts and Science program added.
1940	Graduate program in education and history instituted (summer)
1942	Lincoln University School of Journalism established
1953	Student theatrical group, the Stagecrafters, performed A Streetcar named Desire by Tennessee Williams, the 1st production of this play by an African American group.
1955	Law School closed.
1958	EBONY Magazine declares LU “The School Too Good to Die.”
1969	Arsonists set fire to Memorial Hall and the Student Union
1970s	“Blue” was added to LU’s Mascot, the Tiger, as a way to distinguish between LU’s and Mizzou’s teams.
1971	Beginning of major federal funding for Cooperative Extension and Cooperative Research
1972	KLUM-FM established with Title III funds Memorial Hall, landmark building, razed
1973	Master’s of Education in Adult Education added
1974	Master’s of Business Administration in Management added
1977	First female president of the Board of Curators
1979	Use USAID funds to initiate the International Program
1988	JC-TV, Public Access Channel 3 awarded to LU
2005	First female President of the University (Dr. Carolyn Mahoney)

The events mentioned above are merely the highlights of Lincoln University's dynamic history.  If you have additional information that may be added to the timeline, please contact the University Archivist at (573) 681-5514.