May 8, 2008

Lincoln University Teaches New York City Graduate Leadership Skills

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA ~ When Adonita Ahmetaj worked as a counselor at the Urban Dove, a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of New York City's at-risk youth, she came under the mentoring wing of the program’s director, Ruben Trammell.

“Mr. Trammell talked to us about his alma mater, Lincoln University, and what a great place it is to learn leadership skills and be successful,” Ahmetaj said.

Born in Brooklyn, and the first-generation American daughter of parents from Albania and Montenegro, in Southeastern Europe, Ahmetaj had not heard of Lincoln – America’s first Historically Black University.

The Urban Dove, he told Ahmetaj, was in many ways like Lincoln: an institution dedicated to enriching the lives of its diverse students.  Located in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania, Lincoln creates a supportive and positive environment where students develop the skills and confidence they need to achieve their full potential.

Four years ago, the New York City young woman took the advice and enrolled at Lincoln to have her own life enriched by the University that is noted for preparing learners and producing leaders.

Ahmetaj was among 470 proud students receiving their degrees at Lincoln’s commencement on May 4. Ahmetaj’s pride is probably based on Lincoln’s distinguished legacy and commitment to excellence.

“Lincoln and its professors and staff have enriched my life in so many ways,” said Ahmetaj, 22, who received her Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications for majoring in journalism.  “I’ve learned to excel and to use my educational skills to lead.”

At Lincoln, Ahmetaj participated in a range of extracurricular activities. In her senior year, she was elected as president of the Student Government Association.  In the leadership role, she served as student liaison to the University’s top administrators and Board of Trustees.

Starting June 1, her Lincoln University degree and leadership training earned a trip to India for the summer to work for the One World Foundation.  She was also

selected by the international human rights and development organization based on the caliber of her volunteer work in the summer of 2006 in Crossroads Africa.  She worked with the surviving children of parents who had died of HIV/AIDs.  Crossroads Africa, which served as the model for the Peace Corps, was founded by the Rev. James Robinson, a 1935 Lincoln graduate.

“In the classroom and on campus,” Ahmetaj said, “I realized that Lincoln fits my personality to be successful and to also help others to live good and productive lives.” 

Founded in 1854, Lincoln University is a premier, historically Black University that combines the best elements of a liberal arts and sciences-based undergraduate core curriculum and selected graduate programs to meet the needs of those living in a highly technological and global society.  The University is nationally recognized as a major producer of African Americans with undergraduate degrees in the physical sciences (biology, chemistry and physics); computer and informational sciences; biological and life sciences.  Lincoln has an enrollment of 2,423 undergraduate and graduate students.

Lincoln University of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
1570 Baltimore Pike, P.O. Box 179, Lincoln University, PA 19352 \ (484) 365-8000