At the center of Lincoln University of Missouri’s campus, in the Soldiers’ Memorial Plaza, there’s a statue that every student passes by. It portrays a group of soldiers, standing atop a monument. One reaches down, extending a helping hand to one of his brothers-in-arms, so he too can stand proud and stand tall. An inscription on the monument reads: “Dedicated to Officers and Soldiers of the 62nd and 65th United States Colored Infantries.” The men memorialized here were born in enslavement and fought for—and won—their freedom. In 1866, these same men helped to found what was then Lincoln Institute to help soldiers like themselves and other Black Americans get an education. Lincoln is one of the state’s two historically black colleges or universities (HBCUs) and the only one founded by former slaves. Today, Lincoln is open to and proudly attended by students of all backgrounds and ethnicities. The same values this institution was founded on still apply, though. Education. Support. Opportunity. Through innovative academic programs, small class sizes, and a tightly knit community, we provide access to learning that will have a lasting and real impact on your life so you can find success and give back to your community.