Lincoln University, PA – Lincoln University is proud to announce a special tribute to the late Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver (Class of ’74), an esteemed alumna of the institution. The Sheila Oliver Memorial Scholarship will be established in her honor as part of the upcoming Alumni Reunion Weekend from May 3rd to May 5th. The Lincoln University Alumni Awards Dinner on May 4, 2024 will be a special occasion to celebrate Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver's life, legacy, and the lasting impact she had on Lincoln University and the broader community.
"Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver was a distinguished alumna of Lincoln University and a trailblazer in public service who embodied the values of our university,” said Dr. Brenda Allen, President of Lincoln University. “Establishing the Sheila Oliver Memorial Scholarship is a testament to her enduring legacy and commitment to education. We are honored to celebrate her life and achievements during this special Alumni Reunion Weekend."
“The Oliver Family is proud to see the legacy of our dear daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend live on at her beloved alma mater through the Sheila Oliver Memorial Scholarship, which will undoubtedly impact the lives of many young people and positively impact their collegiate experience,” said Renee Oliver, Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver’s niece and President of the Sheila Y. Oliver Civic Association. “My Aunt Sheila was a huge advocate for youth and education and lived by the mantra, ‘Each One, Teach One.’ My family and I look forward to seeing the tremendous impact that the scholarship will have on future generations of students at Lincoln University for years to come.”
“Sheila Oliver was a fearless leader, advocate, and the best partner in government I could ever ask for,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “Her dedication to justice, equity, and uplifting all of our children—especially young women of color—were the hallmark of her career in public service. And as Lieutenant Governor, she left an indelible mark on our state and on all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Lincoln University’s Sheila Oliver Memorial Scholarship will serve as a beautiful tribute to our dear Sheila, support the students at her alma mater, and ensure that future generations can carry her proud legacy of service forward.”
“Over the span of four decades in public service, Sheila Oliver dedicated her work to understanding the challenges that vulnerable communities faced,” said current New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way. “As my friend, role model, and mentor, Sheila was often someone I sought for advice and support. I look forward to watching the Sheila Oliver Memorial
Scholarship open doors for the young people following in her footsteps and allowing them to pursue their goals with fewer barriers.”
A dedicated public servant and passionate advocate for education, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver graduated cum laude from Lincoln in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and remained deeply committed to her alma mater. This year's reunion weekend would have marked her 50th anniversary since graduating from Lincoln. She shattered glass ceilings throughout her more than five decades of service to New Jersey. She made history as the first Black woman to serve as Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly, the first woman of color elected to statewide office in New Jersey, and the highest-ranking Black woman to ever serve the Garden State. Though she passed away last year, her legacy continues to inspire and uplift the Lincoln community.
The Sheila Oliver Memorial Scholarship aims to support future generations of students at Lincoln University, reflecting her belief in the transformative power of education and her dedication to helping others succeed.
Lincoln University, the nation’s first degree-granting Historically Black College and University (HBCU), educates and empowers students to lead their communities and change the world. Lincoln offers a rigorous liberal arts education to a diverse student body of approximately 2,200 men and women in more than 35 undergraduate and graduate programs.
The Sheila Y. Oliver Civic Association, is a private, non-profit, non-partisan charitable organization, committed to empowering underserved communities to achieve both economic and social success, as well as educating and developing young women of color who are interested in government, public policy, and community organizing. Visit www.sheilaoliver.com for more information.
