Celebrating 100 Years of Lincoln
University Homecoming.
Homecoming hits differently when it’s a centennial celebration. This fall, Lincoln University (LU) welcomed students, alumni, faculty, staff , and community members back to the Hill for a week overflowing with music, tradition, new beginnings, and unmistakable Blue Tiger pride. From the opening events to the final concert, the whole campus pulsed with the kind of energy only LU can create.
From Oct. 26 through Nov. 1, the Centennial Homecoming honored a century of tradition while celebrating everything that continues to make LU a vibrant, connected community and a vital part of Jefferson City’s identity. The week offered countless opportunities to reconnect, share memories, and look ahead to the university’s continued growth and accomplishments.
One of Homecoming’s most cherished traditions, the Mister and Miss Lincoln University Coronation, showed brightly on October 30. Families, friends, and alums gathered to cheer as Jamir Hunt was crowned the 23rd Mister Lincoln University and Dayonna Crump became the 101st Miss Lincoln University, officially beginning their roles as student ambassadors. Their coronation added a meaningful thread of continuity to a week devoted to celebrating LU’s legacy.
The next day carried that momentum forward. A crowd of students, alumni, and community members, along with Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe, helped usher in the grand opening of Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria inside the newly renovated Scruggs University Center cafeteria. The $1.75 million renovation breathed new life into the space, and welcoming the artisan-pizza brand to campus felt like the perfect way to mark a fresh chapter in student experience and campus hospitality.
The arts also took center stage as alumna Florene Calvin Dawkins, class of ‘77, returned to campus for the Florene C. Dawkins Art Collective Exhibit II. Her extraordinary donation, 138 pieces of art, rare books, and manuscripts, filled Dorothy E. Steward Art Gallery with color, history, and heart. It was a moving reminder of how LU alums continue to give back in ways that shape future generations.
That evening, guests entered an atmosphere of elegance for the Centennial Masked Ball at Jason Hall. A reception and silent auction set the tone, followed by a formal dinner where attendees arrived in stunning masquerade attire. Student Government Association leaders offered a warm welcome, setting a joyful tone for the night. Speakers, including Jefferson City Mayor Ron Fitzwater and Board of Curators Secretary Tina Shannon, reflected on LU’s centennial milestone, its powerful legacy, and the bright future ahead. Entertainment by vocalist Tiff Sings and violinist Belle Darris added a soulful, celebratory touch.
The evening also introduced a heartfelt new tradition: the Sapphire Awards, created to honor individuals whose lives reflect the values and spirit of Lincoln University. Honorees included Ms. Sherry Branch-Maxwell, a lifelong community leader whose innovative youth and family programs have transformed Missouri’s Bootheel region; Victor B. Pasley, class of ’68, president of the LU Board of Curators, an educator, veteran and longtime university champion whose leadership extends across campus and community organizations; and Mark Schleer, class of ’07, an archivist and historian dedicated to preserving and sharing Lincoln University’s legacy.
Additional recipients were Marjorie Williams, class of ’75, a trailblazing educator and the first African American superintendent of the Hickman Mills School District; Coach Dwight T. Reed (posthumous), a legendary LU coach and athletic director who built championship programs and mentored generations of athletes; and Joe Torry, class of ’88, an acclaimed comedian, actor and philanthropist committed to uplifting youth through his Giving Back the Love Foundation. Proceeds from the event supported the Lincoln University Student Scholarship Fund, ensuring the spirit of giving continues well beyond the celebration.
The third day carried all the excitement and pageantry that Homecoming fans love. The Centennial Homecoming Parade wound through the streets of Jefferson City, filled with the sights and sounds of the LU marching band, spirited student groups, alumni organizations, and community partners. Tailgaters gathered at the #KeepingIt100 event before heading into Dwight T. Reed Stadium for the Homecoming football game against Truman State University. The day wrapped up with the homecoming concert, offering one last chance for the LU community to come together and close out an unforgettable week.
For a century, Lincoln University’s homecoming has been more than a series of events; it’s been a tradition of connection, celebration and shared pride. The 2025 Centennial Homecoming honored where LU has been, celebrated where it is today, and set the tone for the next 100 years. Up next, this year LU celebrates its 160th anniversary.
When Lianne began posting her painted plastic pumpkins online, Jill Bednar, the owner of Southbank Gift Company, saw her post and contacted her with an offer Lianne couldn’t refuse: selling her very own pieces at the gift store.
“I was very honored,” Lianne says. “I felt like what I was doing was not really art, but was decorative.”
Outside of creating art at home, Lianne loves being a member of the Jefferson City Art Club and the Teacher’s Art Association.
“Jefferson City has a thriving group of artists here, and they’re very active,” Lianne says.
Although Lianne has helped teach art to countless students over the years, she still very much continues to gain a better understanding of art herself, always experimenting with projects and learning along the way.
It’s never too late to start learning how to create art or pick back up on an old project. Those looking for a bit of inspiration, or even just a lovely decoration for this fall, be sure to check out Lianne’s pieces at Southbank Gift Shop.