From: Young, Misty [mailto:YoungM@lincolnu.edu] Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2015 2:21 PM Subject: Six to Receive Honorary Degrees from Lincoln University FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT MISTY YOUNG (573) 681-6032 May 13, 2015 SIX TO RECEIVE HONORARY DEGREES FROM LINCOLN UNIVERSITY Jefferson City, MO- Six individuals will be recognized for their accomplishments in their various careers and civic service during Lincoln University Commencement exercises on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at Dwight T. Reed Stadium. Ms. Alice Bingham, Mr. Cedric Antonio Kyles, Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer, Dr. Thomas D. Pawley III, Dr. Patricia Russell-McCloud and Mr. David Steward will all receive honorary degrees. Ms. Alice Bingham, a 1950 graduate of Lincoln University, is the most senior living alumna of the university, at 104 years-old. Bingham, who spent the majority of her teaching career in the Kansas City Public School District, was presented her Honorary Doctorate of Education on May 9, during a visit by Lincoln University President Dr. Kevin D. Rome and Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Dr. Said Sewell. Ms. Bingham will be represented by a nephew during the official Commencement ceremony. Mr. Cedric Kyles, best known as Cedric "The Entertainer", will receive the Honorary Doctorate of Humanities. The St. Louis native known for his acting and comedic skills is also a philanthropist who has provided more than 200 scholarships and other incentives to inner-city youth and families in his hometown. Kyles earned a communication degree from Southeast Missouri State University. In addition to his honorary degree, Kyles will also deliver the Commencement charge to the graduates. Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer graduated from Lincoln University in 1974 with a degree in political science and a minor in business administration. Elected in 2008 to represent the former 9th Congressional District of Missouri and now representing the 3rd Congressional District of Missouri since 2013, the Congressman currently serves on the House Financial Services Committee and is the sub-committee chairman of Housing and Insurance and the vice chairman of the House Small Business Committee. Luetkemeyer a fourth-generation farmer, as well as a small businessman, will receive the Honorary Doctorate of Laws. Dr. Thomas D. Pawley, who will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities, came to Lincoln University in 1940 to teach English, speech and theater. Over the next 48 years, the graduate of Virginia State College and the University of Iowa he would begin the first college summer theater program for African American students and directed 75 student plays. His service extended to the community as a member of the advisory committee that would raise enough funds to renovate the former Jefferson Junior High School into the Miller Performing Arts Center. In addition, he was President of the Thomas Jefferson (now Missouri River Regional) Library Board for two years and treasurer for one year. He also served as President of the Speech and Theater Association of Missouri and was active in the Missouri Humanities and Missouri Arts Councils. He is also an 80-year member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Mr. David Steward, chairman and founder of systems integrator and supply chain solutions provider World Wide Technologies (WWT), graduated from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg in 1973. Soon after, he borrowed $300 from a local banker, gathered up his possessions and hitchhiked across the state to St. Louis, where he eventually landed a part-time job as a substitute teacher. Eventually he became an executive with Boys Scouts of America, before founding WWT in 1990. Today, the company employs nearly 3,000 people and generates revenue of $6.5 billion. Steward will receive the Honorary Doctorate of Science. Commencement Speaker Patricia Russell-McCloud will be presented with the Honorary Doctorate of Laws. Russell-McCloud, a nationally renowned speaker, encourages her audiences to tackle any barrier between them and their goals. Annually, she addresses more than 200,000 people and is well-known on the speakers' circuit for her broad and animated style. A graduate of Kentucky State University who has also studied at Harvard University, she earned her juris doctorate from Howard University School of Law. ### ABOUT LINCOLN UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI: Lincoln University, located in Jefferson City, Missouri, was founded in 1866 by the enlisted men and officers of the 62nd and 65th Colored Infantries, following the close of the Civil War. It is the only institution of higher learning founded by veterans, the only 1890 Land-grant institution in the state of Missouri, and is the nation's oldest 1890 Land-grant university. Through the years, the university has been written into many success stories of its alumni, which include: Civil rights leader Lloyd Gaines'35; noted educator and first alumnus to serve as President of Lincoln University (retired) Dr. James Frank'53; Founder of Gates Bar-B-Q Ollie Gates'54; business woman and philanthropist Ann Walton Kroenke'72; U.S. Congressman (Missouri) Blaine Luetkemeyer'74; entrepreneur Valerie Daniels-Carter '78; NFL professional and eight-time Pro-bowl selection Lemar Parrish '96; and Olympic medalist (track) Lorraine Graham-Fenton'99. Attachments (6) Honoree photos Misty Young Director, Office of University Relations 573-681-5580 www.lincolnu.edu<http://www.lincolnu.edu/> Beginning Monday, May 18 through Friday, August 7: Summer Hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The university is closed on Fridays.