December
13, 2001
Philadelphia
City Council Presents Resolution to Lincoln University
and President Ivory V. Nelson for Commitment to Excellence
Lincoln
University President Ivory V. Nelson proudly displays
a Resolution from Philadelphia City Council that honors
Lincoln, America's first Black University, and him for
high achievements. The Resolution was presented at a Council
session on December 13, 2001. President Nelson is with
Philadelphia Councilwoman and Majority Whip Marian B.
Tasco who had introduced the Resolution.
Lincoln University, America's first Historically
Black University, which has earned academic distinctions
throughout its 147-year history, and President Ivory V.
Nelson, who has achieved a national reputation for his
distinguished leadership in higher education, have been
presented with a Resolution for their commitment to excellence
by the Council of the City of Philadelphia.
The Resolution (see below) was presented before
a session of the 17-member Philadelphia City Council on
December 13, 2001. It was introduced earlier and then
read by Councilwoman and Majority Whip Marian B. Tasco.
The Resolution paid tribute to Lincoln and President Nelson
for their continuing contributions to the field of higher
education and communities throughout the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, region and nation.
"I am very honored and, of course, very pleased that
the City Council of the City of Philadelphia recognizes
the outstanding achievements of Lincoln University," President
Nelson said. "In honoring this venerable institution,
City Council is also paying tribute to the Lincoln Legacy
of excellence and dedication to its historic mission of
successfully preparing generations of learners and producing
leaders for their communities and professions.
"As Lincoln University prepares to celebrate its sesquicentennial
--150th anniversary -- in 2004, my role as president is
to build on the Lincoln Legacy and continue to lead Lincoln
University to greater heights."
Founded in 1854, Lincoln University provides the best
elements of a liberal arts and sciences-based undergraduate
core curriculum and selected graduate programs to meet
the needs of students living in a highly technological
and global society.
President Ivory V. Nelson, Ph.D., who has achieved a
national reputation for his distinguished leadership in
higher education, became the twelfth president of Lincoln
University on August 15, 1999. Before coming to Lincoln,
he had served as the president of Central Washington University
(CWU) for more than seven years. He was formally inaugurated
as Lincoln's president on April 14, 2000. A trained chemist,
President Nelson is listed among the world's top scientists.
(For more information, contact Samuel W. Pressley, director,
Lincoln University's Office of Marketing & Communications,
610-932-1094; e-mail: spressley@lu.lincoln.edu; home:
856-582-9574.)
Resolution
(Presented December 13, 2001)
Honoring Lincoln University and President Ivory V. Nelson
WHEREAS, Lincoln University was founded in 1854 in Chester
County, and since that year, the University has continued
to grow in size, reputation, academic offering and tradition.
It was America's first Historically Black University and
today, it ranks second among all colleges and universities
in this entire country in graduating African Americans
with baccalaureate degrees in the physical sciences; and
WHEREAS, This national distinction, especially commendable
since the University's enrollment is only 1,850* students,
represents Lincoln's commitment to excellence in teaching,
scholarly activity and learning. The University has displayed
determination to teach honestly, to preserve and expand
knowledge and to remain an intellectual and cultural resource
for the region. Thus it has come to be counted among our
regional treasures and is held in high esteem throughout
the academic community; and
WHEREAS, In August of 1999, Lincoln gained additional
luster with the appointment of Dr. Ivory Nelson as its
President. A trained chemist, Dr. Nelson is among the
world's top scientists. His career includes a Fulbright
Lectureship and the presidency of Central Washington University.
While remaining true to the University's mission, Dr.
Nelson ahs taken dramatic steps to move the University
forward in community outreach and academic achievement.
In addition, Dr. Nelson has also successfully lobbied
for and obtained a 29.4 million dollar state appropriation
for Lincoln University; and
WHEREAS, Lincoln University has especially distinguished
itself in the physical and computer sciences, ranking
in the very top of colleges and universities throughout
the nation in graduating minorities with baccalaureate
degrees in computer and informational sciences, as well
as biological and life sciences. We note with great pride
that Lincoln is the only university in Pennsylvania, and
is one of only twenty universities nationwide, where forty
percent or more of its physics graduates are women; now
therefore;
BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,
That we hereby honor the Lincoln University family and
commend its President, Dr. Ivory Nelson. Together they
have made this Commonwealth, our Country and individuals
from all walks of life stronger, smarter and more humanitarian,
and we are grateful for their contributions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That an engrossed copy of this
Resolution be presented to Dr. Ivory Nelson as evidence
of the deep respect and sincere admiration of this legislative
body.
Philadelphia Councilwoman Marian B. Tasco (Introduced
November 15, 2001)
*Lincoln University currently enrolls 1,871 undergraduate
and graduate students.
