2025 in Review: Top 10 Lincoln University Stories

As 2025 comes to a close, Lincoln University celebrates a year of historic milestones and campus achievements. From our Centennial Homecoming to the grand reopening of Dawson Hall, this year highlighted LU's dedication to tradition, growth and student success. Here are the top 10 stories that defined our year.

1. Lincoln University of Missouri Leads State in Enrollment Growth for Second Consecutive Year

Lincoln University is leading all public four-year institutions in Missouri in percentage enrollment growth for the second consecutive year, according to fall 2025 data released by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (DHEWD). According to the data, Lincoln recorded the largest percentage increase in both total headcount enrollment (9.8%) and full-time enrollment (11.5%) among Missouri's four-year colleges and universities. Read more about Lincoln's enrollment growth.

2. Lincoln University Honors Class of 2025 at Commencement Ceremonies

Lincoln University celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2025 on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The commencement ceremonies took place in the Robert and Charlene Mitchell Auditorium in Richardson Fine Arts Center, and associate, bachelor's, master's and specialist degrees were awarded. In April, top-achieving students were recognized at the Honors Convocation. Read more about Lincoln's 2025 commencement ceremonies.

3. Lincoln University Celebrates Grand Reopening of $23 Million-Renovated Dawson Hall

Lincoln University celebrated the grand reopening of Dawson Hall on Aug. 12, marking the completion of a $23 million renovation of the 10-story student residence hall. The state-of-the-art student living space is designed to support academic success, health and well-being. Upgrades include bright, glass-walled study nooks, a spacious first-floor lounge, a convenience store with grab-and-go dining options, an esports arena, enhanced sound insulation, and modern heating and cooling systems with individual thermostats. Read more about the Dawson Hall grand reopening.

Additionally, LU celebrated the opening of the new Zen Den, dedicated to student well-being, in August.

4. Lincoln University Athletics Closes 2025 with National Rankings and All-American Honors

The 2025 season marked a strong year for Lincoln University athletics, with notable achievements in men's basketball, men's soccer and women's and men's and track & field. From championship titles and NCAA Tournament appearances to national rankings and All-American honors, the Blue Tigers delivered success at both the conference and national levels. Read more Blue Tiger Athletic highlights.

5. Students Represent Lincoln University with National Honors and Achievements

The 22nd Mister Lincoln University, Jesse Canamore, and the 100th Miss Lincoln University, Yessnia Austin Dixon, represented the University at the inaugural Mister & Miss HBCU Competition in Charlotte, North Carolina, January 21-26, 2025. The event, celebrating the excellence, culture and leadership of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), marked the crowning of the 21st Mister HBCU and the first-ever Miss HBCU. Read more about the Mister & Miss HBCU Competition.

This spring, Nia Walker was named to the 2025 ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge Student Voting Honor Roll, as one of just 232 college students nationwide recognized for their outstanding nonpartisan efforts to promote voter registration, education and turnout during the 2024 election cycle. Read more about Nia Walker.

This summer, Prabesh Koirala, a graduate student in sustainable agriculture, earned the title of 2025 Borlaug Scholar from the National Association of Plant Breeders (NAPB). He is the only student from an 1890 land-grant institution selected for this year's cohort, which includes undergraduates, master's and Ph.D. students from across the country. Read more about the award.

6. Lincoln University Earns $2.5 million NASA Grant to Expand Student STEM Research Opportunities

Lincoln University will play a key role in a $2.5 million NASA-funded project aimed at turning human waste into sustainable materials for use in space while also giving students from various backgrounds hands-on research opportunities. Lincoln has been awarded $103,524 as part of the multi-institution collaboration, which involves eight scientists across six institutions in Missouri, Delaware and Florida. Only two proposals were selected nationwide. Read more about the NASA grant.

Additionally, LU has been awarded a $725,669 grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation for its project, Excellence in Research: Translational Approaches to Strengthening Rural Resilience. Read more about this project.

7. Lincoln University Expands Career-Focused Programs at Fort Leonard Wood and St. Robert Campuses

Lincoln University has expanded educational opportunities for students in the Fort Leonard Wood region. Through new, career-focused programs offered at its Fort Leonard Wood and St. Robert campuses, the university is helping local residents gain the skills needed for today's public safety, healthcare and technology careers. Read more about the expanded educational opportunities.

8. Lincoln University Celebrates a Historic Centennial Homecoming

Lincoln University held its Centennial Homecoming Celebration on October 26 through November 1, 2025. This historic week honored 100 years of Blue Tiger pride, unity and tradition - and it was made special by the participation and support of our students, alumni, faculty, staff and the community. Highlights of the week included the Mister and Miss Lincoln University Coronation, the Slim & Husky's grand opening and the Masked Ball. Read more about Lincoln's 100th Homecoming.

9. Lincoln University Showcases Florene Dawkins' Art Legacy With Exhibition and Historic Donation

Lincoln University alumna Florene Calvin Dawkins '77 returned to campus on October 31 for the Florene C. Dawkins Art Collective Exhibit II, an event celebrating her recent donation of 138 pieces of art, rare books and manuscripts to the university. The exhibition, held in the Dorothy E. Steward Art Gallery inside the Richardson Fine Arts Center, drew students, faculty, alumni and community members for an afternoon of creativity and reflection. Read more about the historic donation.

10. Lincoln University Earns National Accreditation and Reaffirmation

This year, the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) awarded full seven-year accreditation to Lincoln University's programs for preparing teachers and school counselors. Read more about the accreditation.

The LU School of Business accreditation was reaffirmed by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The program's accreditation, approved by the council's Baccalaureate/Graduate Degree Board of Commissioners, will remain in effect for the next 10 years. Read more about the School of Business accreditation.