Lincoln Alumni Express Strong Pride, Deep Connection in New Engagement Survey

A spring 2026 survey found Lincoln University alumni are proud of their alma mater and eager to stay connected.

Lincoln University alumni remain deeply proud of their alma mater and eager to strengthen their connections with fellow Blue Tigers, according to a spring 2026 alumni engagement survey conducted by the Lincoln University Alumni Council's Communications Committee. The survey found high levels of pride in the university, strong interest in reconnecting with classmates and overwhelming willingness to stay engaged through events, networking and mentorship opportunities.

Led by Communications Committee Chair Sharon Brown ’79, Ph.D., the initiative was one of the committee's strategic goals for the year and gathered feedback on communication preferences, engagement interests and opportunities to strengthen alumni connections.

“The primary aim of the survey was to identify the most effective ways to communicate with alumni groups and to understand which alumni engagement activities had the highest participation rates,” said Alumni Council Chair Joyce McClellan, Ed.D., ’79.

The survey received 185 unique responses from alumni representing graduating classes from 1954 through 2026. Alumni were asked about their perceptions of Lincoln University, preferred communication methods, post-graduation engagement, barriers to staying connected, interest in reconnecting with fellow alumni, preferred engagement opportunities and willingness to participate in future alumni focus groups.

For Brown, alumni involvement is rooted in the value that Lincoln University provides to generations of students and in the importance of supporting the institution's continued success.

“If you value something and it has meaning to you, then you are going to do what you feel you are able to do to make it successful,” Brown said. “That is part of the reason why I am involved at the level that I am. Achieving success! That’s the main thing. We want it [LU] to be successful. We want the school to persevere. It plays a vital role in helping students further their education.”

The survey confirmed the strong connection alumni continue to feel toward Lincoln University. When asked what comes to mind when thinking about the university, the most frequently selected responses were pride (72%), education (71%), history (56%) and community (43%). Nearly 89% of respondents said Lincoln prepared them very well or somewhat well for their careers or further education, and more than 84% said they were extremely likely or likely to recommend Lincoln University to others.

The survey also identified how alumni prefer to receive information from the university. Email was the preferred communication method, selected by 80% of respondents. Traditional mail and text messaging each were selected by 9% of respondents, while phone and other methods were selected less frequently. Facebook was the most commonly used social media platform, followed by YouTube and Instagram.

Homecoming remains the most common way alumni stay connected to Lincoln University, followed by alumni events, fundraising and athletics. About 26% of respondents indicated they had not stayed connected since graduation. Among those respondents, the most frequently cited barriers were lack of information, distance, time constraints, uncertainty about how to become involved and other personal reasons. The Alumni Council encourages graduates to reconnect by attending Homecoming 2026, which will be held Sept. 20-26. Homecoming offers opportunities to reconnect with classmates, engage with the university community and learn about alumni programs and initiatives. Additional information is available here.

Interest in reconnecting with fellow alumni was one of the survey's strongest findings. 87% of respondents said they are interested in reconnecting with other Lincoln alumni. Respondents also expressed interest in social networking, professional networking, events and programming, student engagement, cultural and community activities, mentorship, athletics support and fundraising.

Brown said her commitment to Lincoln is also connected to the university's role in providing educational opportunities for students.

“For minority students or those students looking for opportunities for personal growth, it is a fantastic school to attend," she said. "For me, I hope to be able to continue my participation in being able to help other students reach their goals through education.” 

When asked how they would most like to engage during the next six to 12 months, respondents most frequently selected receiving university updates (58%), attending alumni events (54%), participating in networking opportunities (38%), volunteering occasionally (36%) and mentoring students (25%).

The survey also explored interest in future alumni initiatives. Events and programming generated the highest level of interest (58%), followed by communications initiatives (51%), affinity-based groups (34%) and fundraising opportunities (23%). Additionally, 42% of respondents indicated they would like someone to follow up with them about engagement opportunities, while 72% said they would participate in a small alumni focus group.

The survey was distributed through four email campaigns between April 26 and May 20, reaching 9,422 alumni. After duplicate responses were removed, 185 unique responses were included in the final analysis.

Lincoln University President John B. Moseley thanked the Alumni Council for leading the survey and said alumni feedback helps strengthen the lifelong connections that unite generations of Blue Tigers. He emphasized that engaged alumni create opportunities for future students.

“When alumni remain connected and invested, they help create opportunities that empower the next generation of Blue Tigers to thrive,” Moseley said.

Alumni Council to Connect With Alumni During Homecoming 2026

As part of Homecoming 2026, the Alumni Council will host a table during Friday’s block party in front of Memorial Hall. The event celebrates 160 years of Blue Tiger Pride and provides an opportunity for alumni to connect with members of the Alumni Council.

Alumni can stop by the table to provide in-person feedback, sign up for Council committees and affinity groups, and, if they choose, make a donation to an LU fund.

Look for the Alumni Council signs during the block party and stop by to connect with Council members. The Council welcomes the opportunity to hear from alumni during Homecoming 2026.