Ivory V. Nelson, Lincoln University president, announces retirement

Ivory V. Nelson, who as president led Lincoln University out of debt and spearheaded a building boom that is transforming the nation's oldest historically black college, will retire in June.

Nelson, 76, guided the southern Chester County school during a critical time in its history, when university officials decided to relinquish majority control of the Barnes Foundation board of directors, leading to the art collection's controversial move from Lower Merion to Center City. The decision was seen by some as the catalyst behind the release of millions of dollars in state funds to the school.

Nelson could not be reached for comment, but Ashley Gabb, a school spokeswoman, described Nelson's decision to retire as influenced by his age and longevity in higher education - 46 years.

Nelson joined Lincoln in 1999 after serving in leadership posts at Texas A&M University, Prairie View A&M University, and Central Washington State University.

At Central Washington, Nelson helped to right a school coping with financial and academic problems.

When he arrived at Lincoln, the infrastructure and many buildings were rundown. The prior administration had been mired in a financial scandal and the school was $15 million in debt.

In a 2010 interview, Nelson said the most sobering moment of his presidency came in January 2000. The school's main electrical line had ruptured, so, with no power on campus, Nelson had to send the 1,500 students home for three weeks.

"We couldn't educate them, feed them, take care of them," Nelson said. "Our infrastructure had failed and we couldn't deliver."

Officials of the state-related school began lobbying for more funding, and decided in 2003 to accept a minority role on the board of the Barnes, which manages the renowned art collection. The school had controlled a majority on the board in accordance with the wishes of founder Albert C. Barnes.

Millions in state funding soon flowed in. Nelson and Gov. Rendell maintained that there was no quid pro quo, and officials called the influx of funding an effort to make up for the years that the school lagged behind other state-related schools in its funding allotment.

Since 2005, the school has built a $22 million residence hall, a new cultural center equipped with an art gallery, computer labs, and a 1,049-seat auditorium; a $40 million science and technology center (which will be renamed in Nelson's honor); and a newly renovated student union and library.

Due for completion in 2012 are a wellness center and athletic complex, capping off a $325 million campus makeover.

During his presidency, Nelson has dealt with a faculty strike, controversies over a fitness course required for some students, and anti-Israel statements made by a tenured professor.

Also during that time, the school's enrollment has grown from 2,000 in the 1999-2000 school year to 2,361.

State Rep. Dwight Evans (D., Phila.), a former member of the school's board of trustees, praised Nelson's leadership, which Evans said will leave the school well-positioned for the future.

"He's done a fantastic job and taken the school to a whole new level," Evans said.

A search committee has been formed to look for a new president.