Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, TN

private nonprofitgraduate

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Quick Facts

“"We Wear His Name Proudly" On seal: "With malice toward none, with charity for all"”

Private university

Type

1,487

Total Students

1,673

Undergrad

3,445

Graduate

$55M

Endowment

(2024)

$26K

Tuition (In-State)

$26K

Tuition (Out-State)

$18K

Avg Net Price

59%

Acceptance Rate

54%

Graduation Rate

6-year

69%

Retention Rate

Doctoral/Professional Universities

Classification

President: Jason McConnell

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Lincoln Memorial University

Upholding Lincoln's legacy, LMU offers a unique blend of Appalachian heritage and legal education.

Nestled in the historic Cumberland Gap area, Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) stands as a living testament to President Abraham Lincoln's vision for East Tennessee. More than just a university, LMU is a vibrant community deeply rooted in the region's rich Appalachian heritage, offering an engaging educational experience for prospective students and their families. It's a place where history comes alive, and a strong sense of purpose guides its mission.

LMU's fascinating origin story began in the late 19th century. After the collapse of an ambitious industrial venture, the impressive Four Seasons Hotel property found a new destiny. Inspired by a conversation with Lincoln, General Oliver O. Howard, with Reverend A.A. Myers, transformed the site into a university chartered on Lincoln's 88th birthday in 1897. This foundational commitment to Lincoln's ideals of "malice toward none, with charity for all" continues to shape LMU's identity and its dedication to service.

Academically, LMU is renowned for its strong literary heritage, having hosted celebrated authors like James Still and Jesse Stuart, and is home to the popular Mountain Heritage Literary Festival. The university also boasts the fully accredited Duncan School of Law in Knoxville, providing a robust legal education pathway. With a commitment to fostering intellectual growth and personal development, LMU offers a distinctive environment where students can explore diverse academic interests while immersing themselves in a place steeped in American history and Appalachian culture.

Key Highlights

✦Founded on February 12, 1897, Lincoln's 88th birthday, as a living memorial to Abraham Lincoln.
✦Home to the fully accredited Duncan School of Law in Knoxville, earning accreditation in March 2019.
✦Rich literary history, with past Artists-in-Residence like Silas House and the annual Mountain Heritage Literary Festival.
✦A private university serving 5,118 students with an endowment of $0.1 billion.
✦Motto reflects its core values: "We Wear His Name Proudly" and "With malice toward none, with charity for all."
✦Features historic buildings like Grant-Lee Hall, built from the surviving blocks of the original sanitarium.

Timeline

1888

Entrepreneur Alexander Arthur founds Harrogate, Tennessee, envisioning it as a suburb and constructing the lavish Four Seasons Hotel.

1896

General Oliver O. Howard, after a lecture, agrees with Reverend A. A. Myers to establish a university in Abraham Lincoln's honor.

1897

Lincoln Memorial University is chartered on February 12, Lincoln's 88th birthday, with Cyrus Kehr as its first president.

1898

General Oliver O. Howard joins the university as its managing director, leading its initial expansion.

1902

The sanitarium building burns; its surviving blocks are used to construct the historic Grant-Lee Hall.

1917

British folklorist Cecil Sharp visits LMU, collecting 22 local versions of 'old world' ballads.

2005

Bestselling novelist Silas House becomes Artist-in-Residence and starts the Mountain Heritage Literary Festival.

2008

LMU announces plans to establish the Duncan School of Law in downtown Knoxville.

2019

The Duncan School of Law is granted full accreditation by the American Bar Association on March 1.

Schools & Colleges

1 notable schools within Lincoln Memorial University

⚖️

Duncan School of Law

Located in downtown Knoxville, this school offers legal education leading to a Juris Doctor degree. Named in honor of Tennessee Congressman John James Duncan, Jr., it achieved full accreditation in 2019.

Leadership

Jason McConnell

President

Data from Wikipedia – CC BY-SA 4.0

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