Lincoln University (MO) News December 3, 2012 LINCOLN UNIVERSITY AND LINN STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE MOVING FORWARD WITH HIGHER EDUCATION CORRIDOR In a press conference earlier today, officials from Lincoln University, Linn State Technical College and Jefferson City Public Schools announced a deal in the purchase of public schools property. Lincoln University will purchase Jefferson City High School and Simonsen Ninth Grade Center. Linn State Technical College will acquire Nichols Career Center. Both Lincoln University and Linn State Technical College officials are already looking forward to what these purchases mean for the access to affordable, quality higher education in Jefferson City and Central Missouri. The deal will establish a higher education corridor in Jefferson City, which will run from the intersection of Dunklin and Lafayette Streets to the Stadium and Leslie Boulevard roundabout. Officials from Lincoln University describe the $8.39 million purchase as a major development in the long-term growth of Lincoln University. “The university’s master plan includes areas for both programmatic and infrastructure growth that we will now be able to accomplish through this acquisition,” says Dr. Connie Hamacher, Interim President of Lincoln University. “The high school property will allow us to relocate some programs, such as nursing and our music programs, which have outgrown their current facilities. The high school facilities will also provide additional classroom space for general education courses. We plan to sit down and take an in-depth look at the master plan, which really encompasses our academic and co-curricular needs to find ways to adequately utilize these facilities.” Interim Provost Jerome Offord says while the purchase is a step into the future, it also brings the university back to the heart of its beginning. “Lincoln University’s first classes in September 1866 were held on Hobo Hill, which is now the site of Simonsen Ninth Grade Center,” says Offord. “This building means a better future for Lincoln University, but it also is an exciting time for us from an historical perspective. Our founders could never have envisioned this Lincoln University of today and now to be able to expand back to where we began, is monumental.” “The purchase of the Nichols property is an efficient use of funds that offer benefits to students, the community and the state of Missouri,” says Dr. Donald Claycomb, President of Linn State Technical College. Linn State Technical College plans to use the space to continue housing the Dental Assisting Technology, Practical Nursing Technology and Medical Radiologic Technology programs which are in the process of being transferred to Linn State Technical College effective Fall semester 2013. “The remaining classrooms and laboratories will allow Linn State Technical College another opportunity to offer programs that expand higher education opportunities for Missourians, especially those in the greater Jefferson City area,” says Claycomb. Linn State Technical College will conduct needs assessments and seek advice from members of the community regarding offerings that would be of greatest benefit. The sale also paves the way for the Jefferson City Public Schools to develop new high school facilities suited for the Academies at Jefferson City High School. With funding from a proposed future bond issue, the school system will construct a new high school, with facilities more conducive to the learning communities that will be part of a seven academy system. The school district plans to vacate the current high school property by Fall 2016. The purchase will be supported by federal funds from the Title III program. Title III, a part of the Higher Education Act of 1965, provides grant funding to Historically Black Colleges and Universities for various purposes, including strengthening an institution’s physical and academic resources. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.