The Lincolnian February 14, 2011 Accomplishments and uncertainty follow retiring Nelson by Ashley Broadbelt President Ivory V. Nelson, who has served Lincoln University for 12 years, has announced his potential retirement for the end of this academic school year. The 76-year-old Nelson started his presidential career at Prairie View A&M University in Texas, followed by leading as president of Central Washington University before his arrival at Lincoln. He also served as chancellor of the Alamo School District located in Texas. Originally only planning to serve Lincoln for four years, Nelson has finally decided that it was time to pursue other things in his personal life. "I love what I do, I feel that now is the best time for me to move on with my life," Nelson said. He admits that all the things he wanted to do at Lincoln, he has done. At the time of his arrival Lincoln was not in the best standing financially and academically. During Nelson's term, he renovated several of the academic and residence halls including the Ware Center, University Hall, the Student Union Building and the new science building which will be named in Nelson's honor. There are also several continuing projects underway, such as the renovation of the Langston Hughes Memorial Library, Grim and Wright Halls. Senior Jasmine Baxter, who plays on the softball team, is excited about the new sports stadium being developed. She said that thanks to Nelson, Lincoln has improved greatly since she was a freshman. "He did what he came here to do, which was to stabilize the university," sophomore Brandon Harris said. "Now it's time for someone with a new vision to take it to the next level. Throughout his tenure as president, Nelson has experienced a lot at Lincoln, but one thing he stills get a joy out of is watching students' progress and eventually graduate. Nelson states that the construction projects will continue even after he is gone and that Lincoln will keep moving and building. Still his presidency had its share of controversy, the most recent revolving around the university's library. Since 2008, the library has been under construction and has just begun construction of Phase II of the renovation process. Some view the library as an essential part to any university, and for students who entered Lincoln after 2008, it has become a realization that they may never step foot in the Langston Hughes Memorial Library. "Students have to have research skills [for graduate school]; it's a crime," psychology professor Lennel Dade said about students not being able to utilize the library. Although the university had no control over the construction schedule, some students and faculty members feel that the Nelson could have found a solution to the inaccessibility of the library. Last semester there were at least two town hall meetings to address the delay. During these meeting, students aired their frustrations about not being able to use their school library. Some faculty members have criticized Nelson for his handling of the situation. "He should have listened to the students. But [he] didn't listen, not only to the students but faculty as well," Robert Millette, professor of sociology and anthropology said. With such controversies and current construction projects, some students are concerned about who Nelson's replacement might be. "We don't need another president with a vision. That would offset what has already been done," freshman Joshua Davis said about what he wants to see done with the new Lincoln president. "The new person has to continue the tradition that was started." The exact date of Nelson's retirement has yet to be announced. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Program Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 404.592.4820 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street 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.