Lincoln University president leaving position

Update 3:35 p.m.: Lincoln University administrators announced Dr. Kevin Rome will resign effective June 30.

Rome will begin his new position as president of Fisk University at the beginning of the 2018 fiscal year.

“I am pleased to be named the 16th President of Fisk University,” said Rome. “Our nation’s HBCUs are facing an interesting chapter in history and I am certain Fisk will see its story of academic excellence, diversity, and integrity expand over the next 150 years.”

Rome sent a letter to faculty and staff Thursday afternoon announcing his plan.

Fisk University’s presidential search committee worked for more than 8 months before selecting Rome according to Dr. Cynthia McIntyre, Trustee and Chair of the committee.

“Dr. Rome’s achievements in partnering Lincoln University with the local community included new academic and civic programs as well as capital development projects,” said McIntyre. “His accomplishments at Lincoln bode well for increasing Fisk’s partnering with the greater Nashville community.”

Lincoln University officials said a search committee and transition team will be appointed as soon as possible.

Original Story: Dr. Kevin Rome will soon step down as president of Lincoln University and take the same job at Fisk University, a private college in Nashville, multiple sources are reporting.

A faculty member at Lincoln confirmed that Rome tendered his resignation to the board of curators.

The university administration has yet to confirm Rome’s departure and has not responded to requests for information.

“As a graduate of Lincoln University, I want to thank Dr. Rome for the leadership he has provided, and the efforts he has made to position the nation’s oldest 1890 land grant institution for future success,” said state Rep. Joshua Peters, D-St. Louis. “This is an enormous loss for a university I care about deeply, and I am extremely sad to see him go. At the same, I want to congratulate him and wish him the best as he takes his talents to another historically black university that will certainly benefit from his wisdom and guidance.”

Fisk University, like Lincoln, is known as a historically black college/university or HBCU.

An article in HBCU Digest cited sources “close to the school’s board of trustees” that the Fisk board is expected to make the announcement by March 31.

Rome will take over at Fisk for interim President Frank Sims.

“Special Report: Lincoln University Report Card” can be seen by following this link.