May 22, 2008

Lincoln University Graduate Follows in the Footsteps of Great, Great Uncle

Karla Prattis Green, of Chester, PA is a relative of a Lincoln Alumnus, first African American faculty at the University of Pennsylvania.

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA ~ Throughout her early childhood and teen years in Chester, Pennsylvania, the name Lincoln University resonated with Karla Prattis Green.

“I had heard stories about one of my father’s relatives being a Lincoln graduate and that he later taught at Penn,” Karla said. “I wanted to be a teacher myself, so I thought it would be kind of nice to attend the same university as my great, great uncle.  I didn’t realize that he was an historic figure.”

Her great, great uncle was William Fontaine, a 1930 Lincoln graduate, who in 1963 became the first African American faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania. 

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

Lincoln’s commencement weekend, however, was especially “great” for Karla.  She graduated magna cum laude, completing her academic studies toward a teaching career with high honors to earn her baccalaureate degree in Health and Physical Education.  On the day before receiving her degree, Karla married her college sweetheart, Joel Anthony Green, of Redlands, California, in Lincoln’s venerable Mary Dod Brown Memorial Chapel.  Her husband, whom she met while singing together in the university’s acclaimed concert and gospel choirs, earned two bachelor of science degrees: one in music education and another in music performance.

“I think about graduating from the university of my great, great uncle and I think that it was meant to be,” Karla said.  “I received a great education that prepared me to become a school teacher, and I met and married a great Lincoln man.  I’m blessed.” 

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