Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Allen hailed as school’s leader into the future
LOWER OXFORD » Newly inaugurated Lincoln University President Dr. Brenda Allen told her audience in no uncertain terms on Friday that she believes in the liberal arts and intends to keep the school on that track as its mission.
She said a liberal arts education enables graduates to communicate, solve problems and face new situations, some of which have not yet even arisen.
“Some people believe the purpose of education is to teach people to do something useful. We must reject that position. It is essential that Lincoln holds to the value of the liberal arts,” she said.
Allen, 58, comes to Lincoln as its 14th president, and the first one who graduated from the university.
She comes from her immediate past position as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Winston Salem State University in North Carolina. She has held previous teaching and administrative positions at Brown University, Yale University and Smith College.
At Smith she was a full professor and served as the chair of the African-American Studies Program.
In addition to her passion for maintaining high academic standards in the liberal
arts, Allen said she was also happy to be the president of a historically black college-univeristy (HBCU).
She said these HBCU schools have a distinct purpose, especially in human and civil rights and enhancing the world. She said some of those institutions have declined or even gone out of business since the 1960s when high achieving blacks were invited to come to other major colleges.
The guest speaker at the inaugural celebration was Donald Julian Reaves, who was chancellor at Winston Salem University, and whom Allen considers her mentor.
Reaves said he was in large part responsible for having Winston Salem hire Allen because of her dedication to providing improved academic outcomes for students. During her years at Winston Salem, he said she reformed curriculum, implemented doctoral programs, removed obstacles to graduation and achieved quality communication with faculty. He called her a great fit for Lincoln.
“She believes that under good leadership, anything is possible,” he said.
He urged the students, alumni and trustees to give her support, both moral and financial. He added that they must work with her to take Lincoln into the future while she is at the helm.
Former Interim President James Donaldson swore her in, and board Chairman Theresa Braswell bestowed the ceremonial medallion, which the president wears for special occasions.
The ceremony was held outside under sunny skies and warm breezes.
The academic procession was led by a military guard, a parade of flags representing the nations that students came from, and followed by the faculty and administration.
Local speakers welcomed her to the neighborhood
including state Rep. John Lawrence, R-13 of Landenberg, and Oxford Mayor Geoffrey Henry.
Lawrence beseeched God to give Allen guidance to advance the proud legacy of Lincoln.
Henry said her presence brought joy and the occasion of bringing Lincoln into a new era. He also recounted that Lincoln and Oxford have had a log association and good relationship. “Lincoln has been a good neighbor and asset to the community,” he said.
The ceremony was also enhanced by musical numbers from the world famous Lincoln chorus and welcoming speeches by representatives of the alumni, faculty and student government.
It was also announced that Allen’s high school from Newark, N.J., had declared Oct. 20 to be Brenda Allen Day.