Lincoln University celebrates homecoming, inauguration of new president

Traffic is expected to be heavy and hotels packed for Dr. Kevin Rome’s inauguration Friday at Lincoln University, a part of homecoming week.

Rome said he plans on using his more than 20 years of experience to positively impact Lincoln University.

He said it was the type of students and the rich history that drew him to the university.

Rome held administrative roles at four other universities and at LU his goal is to leave the university better than when he came in and work on the retention and graduation rates.

The theme of his inaugural weekend is “Build a Community of One” and said he hopes to tie Jefferson City into that goal as well.

“I think everyone needs to be involved in that, and in an order for Lincoln to grow, we need everyone involved, and so that is the connection with Jefferson City — we’re a part of the community and the community is a part of us and so there are no boundaries,” said Rome.

The school searched for a new president for nine months before hiringRome.

Homecoming and the inauguration of the school’s new president has the campus buzzing and security heightened.

Campus police are expecting large crowds to come into Jefferson City for the two events, even more than last year.

They say they are not anticipating any big problems but targeting any potential trouble spots.

Campus police are working with other local law enforcement to increase safety for this week.

“You just want everything to go well and for everyone to be safe that is our primary concern the safety of all the people attending, safety of the campus and safety of the community so that is why we work so closely with our partners the Jefferson City police and Cole County sheriff,” said Bill Nelson, chief of Lincoln University police.

Starting Thursday at midnight, campus police will be working 12-hour shits in part to increase security.