Alumni Council Members
Learn more about our alumni council members.
Rhonda Allen-Lewis, a native of Jefferson City, Missouri, is a proud graduate of Jefferson City High School and Lincoln University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s in guidance and counseling. She also holds a master’s degree in educational administration from Grand Canyon University.
Allen-Lewis has 24 years of experience in education. She currently serves as principal of Belair Elementary School and previously worked as assistant principal at Lewis and Clark Middle School. She spent several years teaching second through fourth grades at East and Thorpe Gordon elementary schools and later served as a behavior interventionist. While at Thorpe Gordon, she led the district’s only elementary drama program for 10 years, helping students perform on stage.
Her achievements have been recognized through numerous honors, including Jefferson City School District Teacher of the Year (2017), Mother of the Year from the Masonic Lodge, and Zonta Woman of Achievement. She is a member of the Lincoln University Alumni Council and established “Ty” (Theater for Youth) to help children explore their talents and build confidence.
Allen-Lewis is also active in community service, serving 12 years as a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters and as a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoys singing, podcasts, staying active, and spending time with her husband, John, her two “bonus children,” Jamond and Aijah, and their Beagle, Winston.
Sharon A. Brown, Ph.D., a Kansas City, Missouri, native, attended Lincoln University from 1975 to 1979. During her time at Lincoln, she was active in student life, serving as freshman class secretary in the Student Government Association. She joined the Omega Pearls interest group and was later initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., holding treasurer positions in both organizations. As a senior, she was crowned Miss Lincoln University and continued her involvement in SGA. Brown also served on the University Student Disciplinary Board. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in oral communication disorders.
Lincoln University provided the foundation for her advanced studies. She earned a Master of Arts in speech and language pathology from The Ohio State University in 1980, followed by a Master of Arts in psychology and a Ph.D. in clinical neuropsychology from the University of Houston.
Brown’s career has focused on traumatic brain injury research and the development of neuropsychological programs, cognitive rehabilitation services, and assessments, including work related to dementia. She has published in professional journals and co-authored a book chapter. Her community involvement includes service through Delta Sigma Theta, participation on her HOA and MUD boards, and membership at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. She has also been active in the Houston Alumni Chapter–Lincoln University and the Houston HBCUA Association.
Ralph A. Butler, a 1981 graduate of Lincoln University, is a retired U.S. Army officer with extensive experience in strategic leadership and planning. Throughout his military career, he developed expertise in organizational leadership and operational decision-making.
Following his service, Butler continued his work as a human development professional. His areas of focus include team building, empowerment training and communications, with a commitment to helping individuals and organizations strengthen their effectiveness.
Butler represents the Washington, D.C., region on the Lincoln University Alumni Council.
“I am profoundly happy that I realized that my foundation of education and excellence was rooted in the theory that if I made it at Lincoln, I could make it anywhere… I want to continue to see Lincoln University move forward, to see continued growth and development. I want to be a part of the change makers for my Lincoln University.”
Florene Calvin Dawkins
BS Ed ’77
Donna J. Noble Cavitte is a 1973-74 graduate of Lincoln University and a proud resident of Jefferson City, home of the Blue Tigers. She arrived at Lincoln in 1969—initially not her first choice, but ultimately the place that shaped her life and career. Before earning her bachelor’s degree in journalism, she worked part-time as editor of the Missouri Commission on Human Rights’ monthly newsletter, Progress.
After graduation, Cavitte accepted a position as a Sickle Cell Anemia field representative with the Missouri Division of Health. When the role ended in 1976, she returned to the Missouri Commission on Human Rights to assemble a writing portfolio and pursue reporting opportunities. Instead, the commission hired her as an investigator—a decision that launched a nearly 35-year career in civil rights. She advanced through the organization and served as its executive director for 10 years. Cavitte became a certified human rights professional and devoted her career to enforcing anti-discrimination laws and advocating for equity across the state.
Lincoln University played a central role in her personal life as well. She pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., met her husband, raised her son, and now celebrates having a granddaughter enrolled at LU. A dedicated supporter of her alma mater, she is honored to serve on the Lincoln University Alumni Council and hopes her service reflects her deep love for the university.
“LU embraced me, engaged me and gave me the confidence I could be a high achiever… I know LU continues to transform the lives of the students I have known and worked with over these many years…I believe I can bring insights and perspectives that can assist the Council and LU in the quest to engage and motivate alumni to give back to LU.”
Hardy Dorsey Sr.
BS Ed ’69
Hardy K. Dorsey Sr. is a proud graduate of Lincoln University in Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in education administration from Southern Illinois University.
He was inducted into the National Black College Hall of Fame for his community service work and support for HBCUs throughout the country. He is a recipient of numerous awards including the Thurgood Marshall Service Award. He was inducted into the Lincoln University Hall of Fame and the Beaumont High School Hall of Fame (St. Louis), his high school alma mater.
He is a former teacher and school administrator in the St. Louis Public School System. He left the school system to help develop a new program to support minority students for business and engineering opportunities in corporate America. That program, Inroads, Inc., has become nationally regarded throughout the country. He is a former IBM marketing executive, spending 17 years with that organization. He later formed his own management consulting practice called the Dorsey Management Group. LLC, focused on serving Fortune 500 companies in the areas of leadership, developing high-performing organizations, and diversity and inclusion.
He has served on numerous boards, including a member of the board the Urban League of Orlando, Fla., and chairman of the Inroads Atlanta board for five years. He has held numerous roles with the 100 Black Men of America and the 100 Black Men of Atlanta for nearly 30 years, with half those years serving on their board of directors. He was commissioner for the Georgia Residential Finance Authority, appointed by Governor Joe Frank Harris, for seven years, and he served on the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Board, tallying eight years as the TMCF national alumni association president.
A past Lincoln University National Alumni President for six years, he currently serves as president of the 62nd and 65th Regiments Legacy Foundation, Inc. and chairs the Human Resources Committee for the International Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Dorsey currently serves on the Development Authority in Sandy Springs, Ga. Appointed by the mayor and approved by the city council in 2022, he is serving a second term, 2025-2028. He has also been appointed and serves on Lincoln University’s Alumni Advisory Council for the University president, John Moseley.
Dorsey is an avid golfer and enjoys studying history and politics. He and his wife Wanda, married for 53 years, enjoy living in Sandy Springs, Georgia. They have two children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandson, which keeps their family very active.
“I am still just as proud of Lincoln now as I was when I first stepped foot on campus in August 1975. I would like to serve on the council as a catalyst for change and resolution. I hope to become an advocate to drive any and all key initiatives to help support the University.”
Belinda Farrington
BS ’79
Pastor Quincy C. Hobbs, Jr., a native of Stuttgart, Arkansas, is a graduate of Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served for 30 years, retiring in 2000 as a full colonel. During his military career, he held key assignments in the United States and abroad, commanding units from platoon to brigade levels. His final assignments included serving in the Pentagon in the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research, Development and Acquisition and as director of Clothing and Textiles at the Defense Personnel Support Center in Philadelphia. He also earned a master’s degree in contracts and acquisition management from the Florida Institute of Technology.
Following his military and corporate career, Hobbs was called to ministry and licensed in 2002 at Grace Temple Baptist Church in Lawnside, New Jersey. He served as assistant pastor until 2009 and was subsequently called as senior pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he has served for over 12 years.
Hobbs is married to Arnetta L. Hobbs. They have two children, Byron A. and Tamara E. Hobbs, and two grandchildren, India and Byron Jr.
Debra Maxie began her career in education in 1973 in the Chicago Public School system, where she had attended kindergarten through 12th grade. She initially taught physical education before moving into counseling, a field where she would have a lasting impact.
In 1979, Maxie joined the San Diego Unified School District, working at elementary, middle, and high schools. In 1991, she began a 25-year tenure at a diverse inner-city high school, serving as a counselor for 20 years before moving into administration as interim principal and vice principal in 2012. She retired in 2017 after 44 years of service.
Maxie holds a Bachelor of Science in health and physical education with a minor in psychology and a Master’s in guidance and counseling from Lincoln University. She earned her administrative credential from San Diego State University. While at Lincoln, she pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., participated in the university choir, and cheered as a Blue Tiger.
Her contributions have been recognized through numerous honors, including the 79th Assembly District Woman of the Year (2018), Woman Leader of the Year in Education (2015), and the Unsung Hero Award from the Association of African American Educators. She serves on the California Student Aid Commission and remains active with educational and leadership organizations. Maxie is a mother of two and grandmother of three.
Dr. Joyce A. McClellan graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1975 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Lincoln University in 1979. At Lincoln, she was a four-year member of the cheer squad, serving two years as captain, and was a runner-up for Miss Lincoln. She was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in fall 1978 and served as a peer counselor.
McClellan began her career at American Airlines, rising to purchasing manager. She later earned a master’s degree in human relations from the University of Oklahoma and a doctorate from Oklahoma State University. She went on to serve the City of Tulsa as the minority/female business coordinator and later became an associate professor at Langston University–Oklahoma City.
Her most significant leadership came at Tulsa Tech, where she held several key positions, including campus director. She became the first African American member of the superintendent’s cabinet, serving as chief economic development officer, chief development and diversity officer, and chief outreach and development officer. McClellan has served on more than 15 community and municipal boards and has received multiple honors, including the Oklahoma Association of CareerTech Administrator of the Year and community service awards from 100 Black Men of Tulsa and the Christian Ministers Alliance.
Ex officio member: Curator Tina Shannon