A Legacy of Service: Lincoln University Community Leads with Purpose

As Lincoln University celebrates 160 years of educational excellence, leadership and community impact, the 2025-2026 academic year has been marked by meaningful acts of service from students, faculty and staff. From supporting local families to uplifting youth and responding to international disaster relief efforts, members of the Lincoln University community have demonstrated the institution's longstanding commitment to giving back.

Throughout the year, several initiatives reflected the university's spirit of service and the "power of together," highlighting how Blue Tigers continue to make a positive difference both locally and beyond.

LU Day of Ringing: Making a Meaningful Impact

On November 18, 2025, members of the Lincoln University community came together for LU Day of Ringing, an event that demonstrated the Power of Together.

More than 125 Blue Tigers - including students, faculty and staff - volunteered their time to support Salvation Army programs. Through their collective efforts, volunteers raised almost $3,000 to assist the organization's work in the community.

LU community members participate in the LU Day of Ringing. Photo credit: The Salvation Army Jefferson City Facebook.

The day served as a celebration of service and reflected Lincoln University's ongoing commitment to giving back. The project was organized by Carlos Graham, LU director of government and community relations.

High Five Fridays: Brightening the Morning for Local Youth

High Five Fridays, an initiative led by LU's head football coach, Moses Harper, and the LU football players, focuses on uplifting youth and creating positive moments to start the school day. The initiative began last semester on August 22, 2025, and continued this semester on January 30, 2026.

According to Coach Harper, the motivation behind the program has always been about uplifting the community the team serves.

"It's a joy to see smiles, because you never truly know what our youth may be facing each day," he said. "Our goal is simply to brighten someone's morning and help start their day with a high five and a smile."

Over the past two years, the initiative has also shown how much parents and teachers appreciate the effort. For the student-athletes involved, the opportunity to inspire others and spread encouragement has been especially meaningful.

"At the end of the day, my young men are grateful for the opportunity to inspire others, lend a helping hand, and simply say, 'Have a nice day.' Kindness and support truly go a long way," Harper said.

Supporting Jamaica Through a Hurricane Melissa Relief Clothing Drive

Lincoln students and staff contributed donations to a clothing drive for communities in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa, an effort organized through LU's International Student Services office.

Toni-Ann Robinson, an international student who helped organize the initiative, said the idea came soon after seeing the widespread damage caused by the storm.

"Seeing the magnitude of the damage and hearing about how many people were displaced made it clear that many families would be in urgent need of basic necessities," Robinson said.

Robinson said clothing was identified as one of the most immediate needs for individuals and families who lost their homes or were forced to evacuate with few belongings. The drive aimed to provide practical assistance to those affected while also showing support for communities during recovery.

The LU community helped make the effort possible through donated items. Robinson said the project received contributions from members of the LU family, including international students and university staff.

Volunteers carefully sorted the donated items by gender, type and size to make distribution easier once the supplies arrive in Jamaica.

The project also partnered with Operation Save Jamaica, a nonprofit organization that works with communities affected by the hurricane. Robinson said the organization's presence on the ground will help ensure the donations reach people who need them most.

Robinson described the clothing drive as "a small but meaningful way for us to support Jamaica during a time of recovery."

Give Blood. Save Lives. Make an Impact.

On February 26, the Office of Student Engagement hosted a Red Cross Blood Drive on campus.

The event encouraged members of the Lincoln University community to participate in a simple act that can make a life-saving difference. One blood donation can help save multiple lives, and participants were encouraged to bring a friend and be someone's hero.

LU's blood drive was held in Scruggs Ballroom.

Through initiatives like this blood drive, Lincoln University continues to show how small acts of service can create meaningful impact in the broader community.

Continuing the Tradition of Service

For 160 years, Lincoln University of Missouri has prepared students not only for professional success but also for lives of leadership and service.

The service projects carried out so far during the 2025-2026 academic year reflect that tradition. Whether supporting charitable programs, encouraging young students, assisting with disaster relief or helping save lives through blood donation, members of the Lincoln University community continue to demonstrate that service remains an essential part of the Blue Tiger legacy.