Lincoln University - Lion Yearbook (Lincoln University, PA)

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Houston Hall: Known to all students as Mount Sinai, a dormitory and classroom building for theological students. Mary Dodd Brown Chapel: Houses the chapel. Little Theatre and Music Studio: all religious and University assemblies held here. Houston Hall The Chapel While ordaining a young man at New London, Pa., for missionary work in Africa, on May 8, 1849, the Rev. John Miller Dickey, of Oxford, Pa., conceived the idea of a school for the training of young colored men to carry the light of the gospel to their race. In 1853 the plan for the establishment of the school was approved by the Presbyterian General Assembly, and in this same year Dr. Dickey purchased a farm of 30 acres near Hinsonville, Pa. as the site of Ashmum Institute, named for the Liberian pioneer Jehudi Ashmun. The first charter for this school was signed in 1854 by Governor Bigler of the State of Pennsylvania. Thus, Ashmun Institute, the first institution of higher learning for Negroes, was born. In 1857, Ashmun Institute opened its doors to four students— two in the preparatory school and two in the theological department. During its first few years most of the students were former slaves. The institution comprised only Ashmun Hall, which served as a 9

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Administration Building: Office building for the President, Deans of College and Students, Registrar, Public Relations, and Business Manager. Administration Rendall Hall: Called the Gold Coast dormitory by all senior students. Here we lived, studied, and enjoyed all the chronics of college men. Ri nlrlinn ------ J Rendall Hall

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dormitory, a chapel, a recreation- hall and a refectory. Its President, Dr. Carter, was also its sole faculty member. After graduation, its first three students went to Africa as missionaries. Vail Memorial Library: Contains reading rooms, collection of African Arts, exhibitions of recent painters, new wing in '53. The Library The Civil War found the school operating under great difficulties, financial and otherwise. In 1864, twenty-three students enrolled at the institution, while modest funds began to trickle in, bringing the institution through this period of experimentation into a field of broader usefulness. In 1866 the name, Ashmun Institute, was changed to The Lincoln University in honor of Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln University therefore represents the first institution to bear the name of The Great Emancipator. Science Hall Science Hall: Hero are Ihe lecture rooms and laboratories for the Departments of physics, biology, and chemistry. Through these halls pass the doctors, dentists and scientists of tomorrow.