25 in ‘25 – Harvard Library’s Dr. Jerome Offord Jr. to Headline 2025 Founders' Day Convocation

Dr. Jerome Offord Jr., Lincoln University of Missouri Class of 1993, will deliver the keynote address at Lincoln University of Missouri’s 2025 Founders' Day Convocation on Jan. 16, 2025.

As the new year kicks off, Lincoln University of Missouri is rolling out “25 in ‘25” points of pride to build on last year’s momentum and keep propelling the University to future success.

Today, Lincoln announced that Dr. Jerome Offord Jr., associate university librarian and chief diversity officer for the Harvard Library, will deliver the keynote address at Lincoln University of Missouri’s 2025 Founders' Day Convocation on Jan. 16, 2025. Dr. Offord serves as president of the 62nd & 65th Regiments Legacy Foundation and is a 1993 Lincoln graduate.

As part of his position at Harvard Library, Dr. Offord advances the library's legacy of diversity initiatives and collaborates extensively to develop strategies for organizational change through the library’s workforce, services, collections and spaces. Before joining Harvard, Dr. Offord served as the vice president for business and administration at DeEtta Jones and Associates – and held senior cabinet positions at Lincoln University of Missouri over a span of eight years.

“Lincoln University is thrilled and honored to welcome Dr. Jerome Offord, Jr. back to campus," said Lincoln University President Dr. John Moseley. "Dr. Offord was one of the first people I met when I got to Lincoln and his passion for this institution has always been evident. I am excited to collaborate with him in his role as the president of the 62nd & 65th Regiments Legacy Foundation because it is clear that he understands the need for Lincolnites to work together to honor the veterans who founded our storied University and to ensure that we are here for another 159 years.” 

At Lincoln University of Missouri, Dr. Offord served in several senior positions over eight years. He began as dean of library services and archives, later serving as interim provost, chief of staff to the president and dean of administration and student affairs. He also held various student affairs positions at Colorado State University, George Washington University and American University. Offord holds a Ph.D. in library and information science with a focus on managerial leadership from Simmons University in Boston. He also holds master’s degrees in library and information science from the Catholic University of America, in student affairs in higher education from Colorado State University, an executive MBA from Washington University in St. Louis and a Bachelor of Science in agriculture from Lincoln University. He currently serves as the president of the 62nd & 65th Regiments Legacy Foundation board of directors.

An annual celebration on Lincoln’s campus, Founders’ Day honors the Civil War veterans of the 62nd and 65th United States Colored Infantries who created the educational foundation that Lincoln continues today. The 2025 event celebrates 159 years of Lincoln education in Jefferson City, Missouri.

The Founders’ Day address is free and open to the public. It will take place on Thursday, Jan. 16, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Mitchell Auditorium at Richardson Fine Arts Center (710 E. Dunklin St., Jefferson City, Missouri) on Lincoln's campus.