Lincoln University Announces Updates on Alumni Engagement

Lincoln University announced a series of updates on alumni engagement efforts while reaffirming its commitment to uphold the University's proud legacy by fostering strong relationships with committed alumni across the nation.

Among the updates, Lincoln University announced the termination of its formal relationship with the Lincoln University of Missouri Alumni Association, Inc. (LUAA), following more than two years of repeated efforts by the University to enter into a standard Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) - a common legal agreement in academia - to govern its relationship with LUAA. The University cited several attempts to enter into a MOU with LUAA dating back to early 2022 - efforts that were stalled and ultimately rejected by the alumni association. The termination comes after LUAA failed to meet a September 1, 2024, deadline previously detailed by the University Board of Curators for an independent financial audit of LUAA finances and related requirements.

"Lincoln's relationship with our proud and dedicated alumni is essential to the success of our University. We know that we can maximize our chances of meeting and overcoming challenges by working together and partnering with all those who have a stake in our University's proud legacy," said Victor Pasley, president of the Board of Curators.

"Following more than two years of efforts by Lincoln University to enter into a standard Memorandum of Understanding that would formally govern our relationship with LUAA - efforts that have been refused by the association - we regret that Lincoln University has been forced to terminate its relationship with the association," Pasley said. "While the termination of our relationship with LUAA is unfortunate, we are confident that it will not impede our efforts at expanding alumni engagement - rather, we are determined to strengthen our relationship with key individual alumni chapters to continue those partnerships on behalf of the institution we love."

MOU agreements are widely used in academia to clarify relationships between universities and affiliated organizations, ensuring resources are appropriately allocated and protecting both universities and such affiliated organizations from legal and regulatory missteps that could harm students and the broader university communities.

Lincoln University currently maintains MOU agreements with its other affiliated organizations, including the 62nd & 65th Regiments Legacy Foundation, Inc. and the Blue Tiger Athletics Club.

Lincoln University is also continuing and expanding outreach to individual alumni chapters around the country - and is establishing an Alumni Council, an advisory body designed to assist the University in growing its connection to individual chapters and affinity groups, while bringing new ideas for alumni engagement, events, and activities. The University expressed that while the Council is in no way a replacement for a National Alumni Association, it will be charged with helping the University strengthen relationships with LU's alumni network further and ensure a greater number of alumni voices are heard.