Alumni volunteers, faculty, staff, and University officials gathered for Lincoln University’s Annual Fund Campaign Kick-Off reception in the lobby of the university’s International Cultural Center on Friday, February 10.
For the first time, the campaign is led by alumni volunteers and will help raise funds to help meet “the University’s need for flexible, unrestricted income to support academic missions. As unrestricted gifts, these contributions are used on a daily basis where the needs and opportunities are greatest,” according to the campaign’s volunteer handbook. “The Annual Fund helps position Lincoln University to achieve the essential margin of excellence by enriching the academic activities and experience of many students.”
Stephen L McDaniel, interim vice president of Institutional Advancement says the campaign, whose goal is $1 million and ends June 30, is an “opportunity to engage all stakeholders of the University into the philanthropic life of the university. Much of the funds we will collect will really be designated to support the young people we find engaged in the classroom.”
With Interim President Richard Green and Kimberly A. Lloyd ’94, chairwoman of the board of trustees, serving as honorary campaign co-chairpersons, and Trustee Theresa A. Braswell ’84, James Jordan ’88, and Philadelphia Police Captain Jacqueline Bailey-Davis ’00 serving as general chairpersons, the campaign also taps additional volunteer leadership to engage specific groups, including the board of trustees, faculty & staff, alumni, parents & friends, corporations & foundations, students, clubs & organizations, vendors and the faith-based community. In addition, each group has varying fundraising goals attached.
“I want to see orange & blue pride turn into green,” said President Green during the kickoff as he pulled an orange handkerchief with money attached from his sleeve. He said he hopes everyone will participate and support the campaign, including students since he feels it’s important to instill giving back to the institution early.
Braswell also encouraged would-be donors to not be concerned about how much or how little they are able to give. “It’s not how much that you give,” she said. “It’s the fact that you give. Corporations look at what percentage of your alumni give and I am hoping we have 100 percent participation.”
Bailey-Davis, who also established an endowed scholarship and a criminal justice mentoring program for students last year, believes the campaign is more so about supporting students and ensuring they excel rather than the institution itself.
“Not only do ‘Black Lives Matter,’ but ‘Black Minds Matter,’” she said. “These students are not only our future, but they continue the legacy of LU in terms of producing great scholars. They (students) pave the way so that we must support them in whatever they desire to become.”
