Alabama State University News July 19, 2016 Lincolnites’ Reunion: ‘The Legacy Lives’ Author: Se'Nia Robinson The Lincolnite Club, Inc., recently held its biennial reunion, honoring the legacy of the nine freed slaves who founded the Lincoln Normal School that would one day become Alabama State University. *** “The Legacy Lives” was the theme of the 21st Biennial Reunion of the Lincoln School of Marion, also known as Lincoln Normal School, which is the predecessor of what now is Alabama State University. The event was hosted by the Lincolnite Club Inc., which works to preserve, revitalize and perpetuate the Lincoln School’s history. Members of the club also oversee the school’s national alumni chapters and coordinate biennial reunions. On July 14-16, the Lincolnites celebrated another year of preserving the legacy of nine freed slaves, known as the Marion Nine, who wanted to educate African-American children. The Rev. Dr. Wendy Coleman, alumna and chair of the Theatre Arts Department at Alabama State University, was the banquet keynote speaker on Saturday, July 16. Coleman encouraged the audience to be more like the Marion Nine, despite the odds. "Nine former slaves took a stand for education, and it is up to us to take a stand now for our community," said Coleman. "We must not become complacent with our situation; we must take action and get involved." Coleman went on to say it was the black community that took a stand for equality more than 50 years ago and explained how young people were involved in that movement. She mentioned Alabama State students and how they took a stand during the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Montgomery Student Sit-in Movement in 1960. She said it is now our turn to continue the legacy that lives on in us. Founded in 1867 as The Lincoln School of Marion, the school became a state venture by 1874, moved to Montgomery in 1887 and later became Alabama State University. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) 404-577-5158 (fax) Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/ 7th Biennial Membership Meeting: Register here http://hbculibraries.org/html/2016meeting-form.html for the October 10,11 Membership Meeting in Atlanta. NEW DIGS!!!! The HBCU Library Alliance has relocated to the Atlanta University Center Woodruff Library. Transition process is near completion. Stay tuned!!! Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30314-4207 www.auctr.edu Honor the ancestors, honor the children.