Lincoln College, founded in 1865, was a four-year private, liberal arts college located in Lincoln, Illinois. History
On February 6, 1865, a charter for a new university was secured from the Illinois General Assembly. Just six days later, on Abraham Lincoln’s last living birthday, ground was broken for University Hall, the first Lincoln College building. The foundation was completed and the corner
stone laid by September 1865, and instruction for men and women began that November. The institution experienced record-breaking student enrollment in Fall 2019, with residence halls at maximum capacity. Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic dramatically impacted recruitment and fundraising efforts, sporting events, and all campus life activities. The economic burdens initiated by the pandemic required large investments in technology and campus safety measures, as well as a significant drop in enrollment with students choosing to postpone college or take a leave of absence, which impacted the institution’s financial position. Furthermore, Lincoln College was a victim of a cyberattack in December 2021 that thwarted admissions activities and hindered access to all institutional data, creating an unclear picture of Fall 2022 enrollment projections. All systems required for recruitment, retention, and fundraising efforts were inoperable. Fortunately, no personal identifying information was exposed. Once fully restored in March 2022, the projections displayed significant enrollment shortfalls, requiring a transformational donation or partnership to sustain Lincoln College beyond the spring 2022 semester. HLC Accreditation
Lincoln College was fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. PBI
Since 2010, Lincoln College was federally designated as a Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) by the U.S. Department of Education. Logan County
Lincoln College was centrally located in Illinois along the I-55 corridor and famed Route 66. Lincoln is just 30 minutes northeast of the Illinois state capital, Springfield. The community is rich in history. Lincoln is the only city in the world named for and christened by Abraham Lincoln before he became President. Lincoln is home to a number of historic sites and events associated with its presidential namesake including the nationally recognized Lincoln Heritage Museum. The town offers a number of recreational, shopping, and community activities to enjoy!