- Posted in All University
- Category: Campus News
Theresa R. Braswell. Courtesty photo.
Since taking the helm as chairlady of the Board of Trustees for Lincoln University on July 1, Theresa R. Braswell ’84 has been diligently meeting constituents, students, and alumni to gain perspective in her new role.
“I am happy to have received a lot of great feedback and enthusiasm from all categories of our stakeholders who are ready to work and advance the business of Lincoln University.” She plans to address five key areas during her tenure: improving administrative accountability, improving communications with all stakeholders, updating University policies and procedures, empowering the Board of Trustees to higher engagement, and increasing the University’s endowment.
Braswell was first seated as an alumni trustee in September 2014 and now serves as chair of the board’s business affairs committee.
Experience and Leadership Started at Lincoln
Braswell, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting and finance from Lincoln University and went onto attend Concord Law School of Kaplan University, is a founder of Robinson Braswell Consulting Services, a tax preparation and financial services company established in 1999. Prior to launching the consulting company, Braswell worked for the accounting firms KPMG; CW Amos & Company; and Thompson, Cobb, Bazilio & Associates, as well as the Internal Revenue Service as a taxpayer advocate.
“I did my due diligence in deciding on a career and profession. I love my work as a tax accountant and business consultant. I had served many clients in various industries, and so I decided to step out on faith to establish my own company, Robinson Braswell Consulting Services, in January 1999.”
Braswell says the consulting company provides jobs within the community of Charlotte and internships for college students majoring in business administration, accounting, and entrepreneurial studies.
When asked about her time at Lincoln and how it’s made her who she is today, she speaks fondly of professors and her alma mater. “Professor Gabbin was a tough, no nonsense type of educator,” Braswell recalls. “Strive for excellence in our chosen subject areas was Gabbin’s challenge to us,” she recalls. He also taught [the class] how to read and analyze the Wall Street Journal. “I recall one of our assignments included selecting stocks from multiple, publicly traded companies and maintaining a stock journal to record the transactions as we bought and sold stocks in our portfolio. At the end of the semester, we had to report on the performance of our portfolio.
A few years after graduation, I obtained a securities and insurance license and was well prepared to compete at any level.”
Chairlady Braswell poses with members of the Student Government Association in front of Manuel Rivero Hall during the Alumni Family Gathering on July 15. Photo credit: Bob Williams.
Another professor incorporated humor in their teaching style to drive home a point, like Dr. Alfred Farrell.
“He would make fun of you if your sentences had any grammatical errors. We laughed so hard at his critiques to the point that we became so conscientious of our writing and the improvements were phenomenal. Thanks to Dr. Farrell, my writing and ability to research are of high standards.”
Braswell’s a champion and fierce advocate for Lincoln University since her graduation in 1984. She established the Lincoln Lions Chamber of Commerce. As a consultant for the University, she also solicited alumni support for the Annual Fund, Student Enhancement Fund, and other projects to help students in need of financial aid. She helped her class in alumni fundraising during their 25th class reunion year, provided oversight, and managed Alumni Relations events as well as recruited, educated, and managed volunteers for alumni-driven events.
And of her alma mater, she attributes her overall professional successes to the foundation and development received while a student at Lincoln. “I am very excited to be positioned to lead the Board of Trustees into a new era of governance,” Braswell said.
Lincoln Lions Chamber of Commerce is a business association that has been organized exclusively for the benefit of Lincoln alumni and students who are currently enrolled in the undergraduate and graduate programs on main campus and at University City in Philadelphia.
LLCC seeks to advance the legacy of Lincoln University with its mission to provide an assemblage for alumni who are executive-level professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners, community leaders, educational administrators, and others in the private and public sectors. Alumni are encouraged to re-engage with each other and reconnect with the institution’s students in a supportive environment through networking and the provision of internships, cooperative education experiences, and job opportunities. LLCC aligns the mission of the University with its strategic goals, thereby promoting, solidifying, and burnishing Lincoln’s heritage of excellence contemporaneously and futuristically.
Some of the Chairlady’s Favorite Things
Favorite Poem: And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
Lincoln Professors Who Made the Greatest Impact
- Professor Alexander L. Gabbin: “Tough, no nonsense. He taught me how to read and analyze the Wall Street Journal.”
- Dr. Alfred Farrell: “Strict, humorous. He taught me how to be a grammarian.”
- Dr. Theresa Saunders: “Nice, competent, and patient. She taught me to play the piano.”
The Legacy She Wants to Leave Lincoln: Making FIRST really matter.