Hollywood legend and philanthropist Dr. William “Bill” Cosby, Jr., is encouraging corporations, foundations, churches, the general public as well as alumni, faculty and staff of The Lincoln University to support the university’s first $10 million Students First Campaign.

Cosby serves as general chair of the endowment campaign, which supports both merit-based and need-based student scholarships, and ends June 30.  Over the past several months, the university has enlisted the support of alumni, faculty and staff, as well as corporate, foundation and faith-based community leadership to encourage support, while numerous solicitations on Cosby’s behalf have been made to support the campaign.

“As you know, I have had a long relationship with Lincoln, and ask you to join me in ensuring its sustainability with your financial support in the University’s Students First Campaign for student scholarships,” said Cosby, who received an honorary doctorate of laws degree from Lincoln in 2011.  “Support is needed to help Lincoln attract the best and brightest students, as well as assist the more than 96 percent of Lincoln’s students who depend on financial assistance.

“With other wealthier majority institutions having the funding to attract more and more of our students, only at Lincoln will students realize that, regardless of being the first in their household or first in their class, here they truly matter,” he added.

Kevan Turman, formerly assistant-to-the-president, was named the new campaign manager. 

“There is a short window of opportunity to close the gap on this campaign,” Turman said. “This is a huge undertaking for a school that has struggled with giving annually. However, the greatest part of this effort is the focus on providing our students with scholarships.  This is our first-ever Endowment Campaign where the interest accrued from monies raised will benefit both students in need and students who achieve.”