Exploring Lincoln University’s Legacy: “The Black Harvard of the Midwest”

Director of the Lincoln University of Missouri Archives and Ethnic Center, Mark Schleer, presented "The Black Harvard of the Midwest: A Student’s Perspective" on February 4 in honor of Black History Month.

In celebration of Black History Month, Mark Schleer, director of the Lincoln University Archives and Ethnic Studies Center, delivered his award-winning presentation, "The Black Harvard of the Midwest: A Student’s Perspective," on February 4 in Inman E. Page Library.

Schleer’s presentation explored Lincoln University’s transformation in the 1920s from a training school to a highly regarded university, a period that attracted Ivy League faculty and elevated the institution’s prestige. Schleer examined the era from a student’s perspective — delving into what drew students to Lincoln, what kept them there and how they experienced campus life.

Through visual materials from Lincoln’s historical collections, Schleer provided insight into student activities, academic pursuits and organizations that flourished during this transformative period.

For more background on Schleer’s research and perspective, visit the KJLU Radio story.