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Opening Convocation Student Government Installation Niara Sudarkasa International Cultural Center Auditorium September 24, 2026 12:30pm

LEARN. LIBERATE. LEAD.

Dear Faculty, Students and Staff, Welcome to Opening Convocation and the beginning of a new academic year at Lincoln University. Today is a celebration of possibility, purpose, and the enduring legacy that binds us together as the nation's first degree-granting HBCU.

Photo: AP Creatives CORP

Message from the President

To our returning students, welcome back. To our newest Lions, the Class of 2030, welcome to the Lincoln family. Today, you become part of a proud legacy of scholars, leaders, innovators, and changemakers whose impact has shaped communities across the nation and around the world. We are honored that you have chosen Lincoln University as the place where your aspirations will take root and flourish. This year is especially meaningful for me as it marks the beginning of my tenth year as President of Lincoln University. As I reflect on the past decade, I am filled with gratitude for what we have accomplished together. Through a shared commitment to excellence, we have embraced a decade of investments in our students, our faculty and staff, our facilities, our academic programs, and the communities we serve. These investments have strengthened learning and research opportunities, enhanced the student experience, expanded campus resources, and positioned Lincoln for continued growth and achievement both inside and outside of the classroom. As we gather today, I am reminded of my own journey at Lincoln University. Years ago, I sat where many of our students sit now, filled with hope, ambition, and a desire to make a positive difference in the world. My experiences as a Lincoln student helped shape my character, purpose, and leadership. I could not have imagined then that I would one day have the privilege of serving as Lincoln University's 14th President. My story is a testament to the transformative power of a Lincoln education and to the limitless potential that exists within every student who walks our campus. As we begin this academic year, our commitment to student success, academic excellence, and meaningful engagement remains unwavering. Guided by our Strategic Plan, Reimagining the Legacy: Learn. Liberate. Lead., we continue to advance opportunities for learning, leadership, innovation, and service. Our Core Values of Respect, Responsibility, and Results provide a foundation for the work we do and the community we aspire to be. Today, we also celebrate the installation of our student leaders. Their willingness to serve reflects the very spirit of Lincoln: leadership grounded in purpose, integrity, and a commitment to others. While we honor those elected to leadership positions, I encourage every member of our community to recognize the leader within. Leadership is not defined solely by title; it is demonstrated through curiosity, courage, compassion, and action. As we embark on this new year together, let us embrace the opportunities before us. Let us honor the legacy we inherit, strengthen the community we share, and build the future we envision. Whether you are beginning your first year or continuing your journey at Lincoln, know that you belong here, your voice matters, and your contributions will help shape the next chapter of this historic institution. Together, we will learn. Together, we will liberate. Together, we will lead. Thank you for being part of the Lincoln legacy. I wish you a successful, inspiring, and transformative academic year. Hail! Hail! Lincoln. Sincerely,

Brenda A. Allen, Ph.D. ‘81 President

Order of Program Musical Prelude “Three Little Birds" - Bob Marley Kimani Bishop, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Music Musical Prelude Aaron Bryant Class of 2026 Processional Presiding Mahpiua Deas, Ph.D. Provost and Dean of the Faculty Kimberly Smith, Ph.D. Vice President for Student Success and Dean of the College Black National Anthem "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" Lead by Natasha Faison, M.Ed., M.S.Ed. Title III, Project Director Academic Affairs Introduction to Speaker Nathan Hargrove Former SGA Executive President - Class of 2027 Speaker Perspectives on the Occasion C. Malik Boykin, Ph.D. Visiting Professor, Psychology Choral Greetings "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" arr. Margaret Bonds Performed by Makeda Hampton, Ph.D. Soprano Assistant Professor of Music, Voice Toni Hall, Piano Professor of Music “Go the Distance" (from Hercules) arr. Alan Menken Performed by Tae’jon Harley, Tenor Class of 2026 Toni Hall, Piano Professor of Music CONFERRAL OF HONORARY DEGREE

READING OF THE CITATION Larycia Hawkins, Ph.D. Professor, Political Science DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS J. Michael Bontrager Founder and Co-CEO, Square Roots Collective Installation of Student Government Officers Brenda A. Allen, Ph.D. President Student Government Association Officers Executive President: Kamari McIvor, Class of 2027 Vice President of External Affairs: Ava Edwards, Class of 2028 Vice President of Internal Affairs: Faith Williams, Class of 2027 Executive Treasurer: Jason Hundley, Class of 2028 Executive Secretary: Sebastian Harris, Class of 2029 Chief of Staff: Sheldania Dohman, Class of 2027 53rd Miss Lincoln University of Pennsylvania: Asiya Allen, Class of 2027 35th Mister Lincoln University of Pennsylvania: Ebenezer Affainie, Class of 2027 Installation of Student Senate, Class Boards & Judicial Board Charge to Student Body Kamari McIvor, Class of 2027 SGA Executive President Dedication of Class of 2030, Kente Stole, and Official Blessing for 2026-2027 Frederick T. Faison, M.Ed., M.Div., Ed.D. Chaplain and AVP of Spiritual Life, Legacy, and Engagement Chaplain: Community: Chaplain: Community: Chaplain:

Lincoln, how shall we receive this new class? We welcome you to the Pride. We welcome you to the Legacy. What shall we do upon this sacred soil? Learn. Liberate. Lead. May this stole remind us that each of us has a seat, and each of us adds a thread. May we find here guiding stars through life, remain faithful to this sacred soil, and together become the KEM Garment of the Lincoln Legacy.

All:

And may it all be done to the glory of God and for the Legacy of Lincoln. Amen. *ALMA MATER +RECESSIONAL * Please stand.

+ Please be seated.

Musical Postlude "Isn't She Lovely" - Stevie Wonder Kimani Bishop, Ph.D Assistant Professor, Music

Convocation Speaker

C. Malik Boykin, Ph.D. Dr. C. Malik Boykin is a social and organizational psychologist. He currently serves as Scholar-in-Residence here at Lincoln University and as a Visiting Scholar at Teachers College, Columbia University. Before coming to Lincoln, he spent six years as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Brown University. His path was not a straight line. He started college at Howard University and finished his bachelor's degree at the University of Maryland’s Global Campus. He then earned his master's in organizational psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University and his Ph.D. in Social and Personality at the University of California, Berkeley, where he was a Ford Foundation Fellow. His research looks at how race, hierarchy, and bias shape the decisions people and institutions make, from who gets hired to whether we can trust artificial intelligence. He has published more than twenty articles and book chapters. He is also a TEDx speaker, a hip-hop artist, and a proud member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.

Doctor of Humane Letters Recipient

J. Michael Bontrager Originally from Lancaster County, Michael Bontrager has made a lasting impact on southern Chester County through collaborative leadership, thoughtful investment, and a commitment to strengthening the community. In 1991, he founded Chatham Financial, based in Kennett Square, which has become the largest independent risk management firm in the world. Following his retirement from Chatham Financial in 2018, he founded the non-profit organization Square Roots Collective, bringing together residents, non-profit leaders, business owners, and public officials to advance a vision for community thriving. Mike’s contributions include championing Voices Underground, an initiative recognizing southern Chester County’s important role in the Underground Railroad, in partnership with Lincoln University and Longwood Gardens. He also transformed an underutilized industrial area into The Creamery of Kennett Square, now a vibrant gathering place for residents and visitors. Square Roots Collective has built a portfolio of hospitality ventures where all the profits benefit the community, totaling more than $750,000 since 2022. Profits from The Creamery, Artelo Hotel, The Francis Hotel & Suites, and Opus go to the community to enable positive impact through local non-profit organizations. Through strategic vision, collaboration, and relationship building, Mike has turned ambitious ideas into meaningful, lasting improvements that have strengthened the social, cultural, economic, and physical fabric of Chester County.

Photos provided by Nathan Hargrove, c/o 2027

Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing by James Weldon Johnson, 1900

Lift every voice and sing Till earth and heaven ring Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise, High as the listening skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.

Alma Mater by A. Dennee Bibb, 1911

Dear Lincoln, Dear Lincoln, To Thee we'll e'er be true. The golden hours we spent beneath The dear old Orange and Blue, Will live for e'er in memory, As guiding stars through life; For thee, our Alma Mater dear, We'll rise in our might. For we love ev'ry inch of thy sacred soil, Ev'ry tree on thy campus green; And for thee with our might We will ever toil That thou mightiest be supreme. We'll raise thy standard to the sky, Midst glory and honor to fly. And constant and true We will live for thee anew, Our dear old Orange and Blue. Hail! Hail! Lincoln.

Mission Lincoln University, the nation’s first degree-granting Historically Black College and University (HBCU), educates and empowers students to lead their communities and change the world. It does so by: Providing a rigorous liberal arts education featuring active and collaborative learning; Integrating academic and co-curricular programs with the University’s distinctive legacy of global engagement, social responsibility, and leadership development; and Cultivating the character, values, and standards of excellence needed to enable students to become responsible citizens of a global community.

Vision Lincoln University will be a national model for both 21st century liberal arts undergraduate education and innovative graduate and professional programs.

Phone: 484-365-8000 Toll-free: 888-9-LU1854

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