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Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett to participate
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY , PA – Dr. Robert R. Jennings will be inaugurated as Lincoln University of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s 13th president at a formal ceremony at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22 in the International Cultural Center (ICC) on campus. Governor Tom Corbett is scheduled to participate.
“I am honored to be inaugurated to lead the nation’s oldest Historically Black College and University, which continues to produce men and women who make outstanding contributions to the nation and world,” said Dr. Jennings. “Lincoln University remains one of the great citadels of learning. Under my tenure, we will continue to forge new frontiers of excellence through academics, athletics, student life and leadership.”
The inaugural ceremony will include an academic procession of its Board of Trustees members, faculty, staff, students, alumni and distinguished guests. Among other invited guests will be delegates from other colleges and universities; state, regional and local officials; representatives from community and fraternal organizations, key supporters and friends of Lincoln.
“In Dr. Jennings, Lincoln has a president who is highly-qualified and prepared to advance the University’s legacy of excellence,” said Bishop David G. Evans ’74, chairman, Lincoln University Board of Trustees. “We welcome and embrace his visionary leadership and are committed to help him meet the needs of the people of our state and the Lincoln community.”
Lincoln events celebrating the inauguration will begin Thursday, Sept. 20 and end on Sunday, Sept. 23. Highlights include: a community open house, student convocation and tribute, faculty convocation and tribute as well as two Gospel concerts featuring the Lincoln University Gospel Choir. All campus events are free and open to the public.
For Sunday, President Jennings chose to forgo the traditional Inaugural Ball for Lincoln’s First Annual Lion’s Awards Program at the Union League Governor’s Ballroom in Philadelphia, PA. Honorees include: Lifetime Achievement Award – Hank & Billye Aaron, Baseball Legend, Philanthropists; Humanitarian Award – Carol Ware, President, 1675 Foundation; Athletics – Clive Terrelonge, ’94, Olympic Gold Medalist; Business – Joseph Neubauer, Board Chairman, Aramark; Education – Dr. Ivory Nelson, 12thPresident of Lincoln University; Entertainment – Ledisi Anibade Young, Singer, Songwriter, Author & Actress; Law – Robert L. Archie, ’68, Esq., Partner, Duane Morris, LLP; Military Service – Lillian E. Fishburne, ’71, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (ret.); Religion – Pastor Shirley Caesar, “Queen of Gospel Music.”
Biography of Dr. Robert R. Jennings, 13th President of Lincoln University
Dr. Robert R. Jennings, to be inaugurated the 13th President of Lincoln University, has a proven track record in critical leadership initiatives, such as: increasing enrollment, generating fundraising, increasing grants/contracts and overseeing the development of academic review.
Before coming to Lincoln University, Dr. Jennings served as an Administrator for Gems, Inc., in Union City, Georgia, a licensed learning academy operating in two states which serves children 6 weeks to 12 years and personal care homes serving adults including seniors with special needs. Under this position Dr. Jennings managed day to day operations of both agencies including staff development training, marketing, and quality control. He oversaw a team of 20 employees, 150 children and budget of $1M, and reported directly to the Board of Trustees for Gems, Inc.
Dr. Jennings’ career in higher education includes serving as President/CEO of Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University in Normal, Alabama from 2005 to 2008. While at Alabama A&M he raised $4M for a scholarship endowment program which was the first time this had every occurred in the history of AAMU. In addition, Dr. Jennings secured the largest legislative increase in the 132-year school history by 12 percent, acquired the first AA Bond rating, and secured $15M for the construction of the University’s Wellness Center. Dr. Jennings also increased the government grants and contracts portfolio by $6M annually and developed an academic review process to meet SACS standards.
Prior to becoming the President of AAMU, Dr. Jennings was the Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer for Future Focus 2020, Babcock Graduate School of Management at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. While at WFU he secured a five-year contract for evaluation of an $18M infrastructure grant of five institutions of higher learning, including a medical school.
As the Vice Chancellor for Development and University Relations at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina, Dr. Jennings increased the endowment by $2M, developed a marketing plan with a new brand for the institution, and re-established the Planned Giving Program which generated $2M.
Dr. Jennings’ education also stems internationally, where he was a Charles Merrill Summer Fellow to the University of Ghana in Acura, West Africa.
Other than his professional accomplishments, Dr. Jennings has done work in the government arena. He has served as the U.S. State Department’s Chief Consultant for the U.S. Information Agency to the University of Niamey in Niger, Africa. Dr. Jennings served on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of the Administrator in Washington D.C., and as a loaned Executive to the Reagan Administration. His Professional Development is endless and is represented with a broad range of expertise such as; Government Relations, Gift Planning, Fundraising, Management, Student Affairs, Program and Policy Development Compliance, Lead Training and Neighborhood Initiatives, Strategic Planning, Operational & Financial Management.
Dr. Jennings received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. He received his Master of Arts Degree in Education Psychology/Elementary Education and a Doctorate Degree in Higher Education Administration and Policy Studies from Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Jennings also received an Education Specialist Degree in Interrelated/Special Education from Atlanta University. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, September 20, 2012
10:00 a.m. Student Convocation and Tribute: ICC Theater
The Kind of Future We Envision
12:00 p.m. Luncheon with President, Trustees and Student Leaders TMC Faculty Dining Room
4:00 p.m. Community Open House ICC
6:00 p.m. Gospel Choir Performance ICC Theater
Friday, September 21, 2012
10:00 a.m. Faculty Convocation and Tribute: ICC Theater
The Future of the Academy, New Roles of Leadership
12:00 p.m. Luncheon with President Trustees and Faculty Representatives TMC Faculty Dining Room
5:00 p.m. Delegate Registration and Hospitality SUB Multipurpose Room
5:45 p.m. Delegate Dinner SUB Multipurpose Room
7:00 p.m. Concert Choir Performance ICC Theater
Saturday, September 22, 2012
8:45 a.m. Continental Breakfast for Delegates and Special Guests ICC Gallery
9:30 a.m. Processional Begins ICC Lobby
10:00 a.m. Inaugural Convocation ICC Theater
12:00 p.m. Delegate Luncheon SUB Multipurpose Room
6:00 p.m. Alumni Tribute Alumni Tribute
Sunday, September 23, 2012
6:00 p.m. First Annual Lincoln University Lion Awards Program, The Union League
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
International Cultural Center (ICC)
Student Union Building (SUB)
Thurgood Marshall Center (TMC)
All campus events are free and open to the public.