Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Miss Lincoln shines with purpose to help others
Senior Courtney Hughes, 21, invites the community to attend upcoming campus events honoring Black History Month
LOWER OXFORD >> Courtney Hughes, 21, is inspired to make a difference.
A senior majoring in mass communications at Lincoln University, her passion has distinguished her from the crowd.
Last spring, she won the title of Miss Lincoln University of Pennsylvania.
It is an honor she holds with humility and pride.
“Serving as Miss Lincoln University has been an amazing and humbling experience,” Hughes said, noting she especially appre
ciates being able to see the impact she is having on fellow students and within the community.
Hughes said the most important qualities for leaders to embody are compassion, faith and love for service.
“I strive to live my life by loving people who may not feel loved, to fight for those who cannot fight and to pray for those who gave up hope,” Hughes said. “Being Miss Lincoln allows me to do that on a larger scale.”
In this role, she travels to different conferences across America not only to compete in leadership pageants but also to complete community service projects.
“I am just devoted to community service and giving back,” said Hughes, who is one of three daughters.
Hughes cited the words of Shirley Chisholm, who said: “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”
“I really live by that,” Hughes said. “I’m just devoted to community service, giving back. I love the community, I love meeting new people, I really do.”
Although she has yet to travel aboard, she loves to cook Italian food, including pasta with homemade Alfredo sauce.
In July, Hughes traveled to New Orleans to attend the Kings and Queens Leadership Conference. She also attended the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame in Atlanta this past September.
Currently, Hughes is competing to serve as Miss Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Voting for this title is open to the public and begins in early February.
After graduation, Hughes plans on continuing her education by earning a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs.
“I feel that you have to really pay it forward. So many people have really just done so much for me,” she said.
Hughes expressed thanks for her mentors, Tamia Davis, Bria Dubenion, Frances Paul, Alisa Drayton and Lyndsay Raymond, who is her advisor.
“Courtney is an outstanding student leader (whom) has a passion for service and always encourages our students to be their best selves,” said Raymond, associate director for student life and development at Lincoln.
Relocating from her family home in Prince George’s County, Md., Hughes began her experience at the historic African-American university, located six miles north of the Mason-Dixon line, in 2016 as an incoming freshman.
Of southern Chester County and life at Lincoln University, she said, “I feel this energy every day and I think that is why I’m here. I really feel the legacy of so many people who have been leaders in the black community.” She noted these individuals fought for justice.
Founded in 1854, Lincoln University is located at 1570 Baltimore Pike in Lower Oxford Township. Today, it is home to 2,243 students.
“Lincoln University has played a pivotal role in the African-American experience as it pertains to education,” Hughes said.
“Lincoln is the nation’s first degree-granting historically black college and university,” said Shelley Mix, associate vice president at Lincoln University in the office of communications and public relations. “It provides a rigorous liberal arts education featuring active and collaborative learning.”
Famous graduates include the world-renowned poet, Langston Hughes, Class of 1929; the first African-American U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall, Class of 1930; the first woman Prime Minister of Namibia, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, Class of 1994; the first president of Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Class of 1930; the first president of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah, Class of 1939; Sheila Oliver, Class of 1974, who became the first African-American woman elected assembly speaker in the New Jersey General Assembly and the first African-American woman elected lieutenant governor in the Garden State; and Lillian Fishburne, Class of 1971, who became the first African-American woman named U.S. Navy rear admiral.
Hughes said that landmarks surrounding Lincoln University were part of the Underground Railroad, from Hosanna Church to the local post office.
“I just feel this presence of a great legacy,” she said. “And I always talk about advancing the legacy of service and leadership and that is all on this campus.”
Her favorite piece of poetry by Langston Hughes is “I, Too.”
“I love that poem,” she said.
February is Black History Month and Lincoln University is hosting an arts showcase beginning 7:15 p.m. and live museum event from 6-7 p.m. Feb. 16.
“We welcome everyone from the community,” Hughes said. “It is a free event and will be hosted in the international cultural center at Lincoln University.”
Hughes will graduate as part of the Class of 2020 during Lincoln University’s 161st commencement ceremony scheduled for May 3.
Additional upcoming events include reunion weekend for alumni the weekend of May 1; Founder’s Day on April 29; a spring concert April 16; and students will perform the musical “The Wiz” from March 27 to March 29 on school’s performance arts center.
On Jan. 20, Hughes attended the MLK CommUNITY 19th annual breakfast in Kennett Square for the second time. She said, “I really enjoyed myself at the brunch; it was an amazing opportunity.” Hughes said each year the event “exceeds my expectations. I was moved and inspired by the words of (keynote speaker) Harold Dean Trulear ... Most importantly, he spoke on the power of love and how it can overpower division.”
King continues to be an inspirational force in Hughes’ life. “In many ways, I see Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s resiliency, compassion and faith in God in my own life. His great legacy has allowed me to see the impact that love can have on a community,” she said.
She recommends that people “give unto others what has been given to you. Pay it forward,” Hughes said.
Her favorite Bible verse is 2 Corinthians 9:7. It reads: “Give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion for God loves a cheerful giver.”
The school’s royal court will change guard on March 29 during Lincoln University’s spring fling festivities. This student leadership and ambassador program was established in 1973.
Hughes said the best part of being Miss Lincoln has been the ability to have an impact upon the lives of fellow students on campus as well as making a difference in the community.
For children who may be struggling with their African-American identities against the wrath of racial injustice, Hughes said, “Don’t put a limit on your future or where you can go because of what people say or what people’s perceptions are. Often times people think — because of the color of your skin — or have preconceived notions about you. But that doesn’t define who you are and you shouldn’t allow it to define who you are. You should always be yourself.
“Don’t put a limit on where you can go in life. Some of the most influential leaders in the black community, just in the world in general, have dealt with bullying, racism, persecution, all of those things, but they persevered; they still overcame adversity.
“Don’t let any of those things stop you from being who God designed you to be,” Hughes said. “You have ‘purpose.’ You should walk in your purpose.”
To follow Miss Lincoln on social media, visit www. instagram.com/misslincolnuniversity.
For further information about Lincoln University, visit www.lincoln.edu.