[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 20 (Thursday, February 5, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S830-S831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  150TH ANNIVERSARY OF LINCOLN COLLEGE

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise to honor the 150th anniversary for 
Lincoln College in Lincoln, IL. One hundred fifty years ago tomorrow, 
the Illinois General Assembly granted a charter establishing the new 
college, originally known as Lincoln University. Just 6 days later, on 
President Abraham Lincoln's 56th birthday, ground was broken for 
University Hall, a building still in use today. Lincoln University was 
the first institution to be named for Abraham Lincoln and the only 
during his lifetime. The first commencement in 1868 included a total of 
three students--two men and one woman. Lincoln College has come a long 
way.
  This year, Lincoln College enrolled about 640 students, and 90 
percent of those who graduate will continue their education at a 4-year 
university. Lincoln College now has campuses in Lincoln and Normal, IL, 
with a tradition of personal education. By providing a low faculty to 
student ratio, Lincoln College offers individualized attention that 
makes the difference between failure and success for many students. The 
school provides a springboard for students who go on to continue their 
education and helps students find good paying jobs.
  Lincoln College offers more than just great student services and 
academic programs that are second to none. Lincoln College fields a 
number of varsity sports teams that have won national championships, 
hosts a speaker series, and maintains Civil War era artifacts at the 
Lincoln Heritage Museum.

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  I thank President John Blackburn for his leadership at Lincoln 
College and congratulate the institution on 150 years of providing 
Illinois students with a quality affordable education.
  (At the request of Mr. Reid, the following statement was ordered to 
be printed in the Record.)

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