BHSU Presidential Lecture Series launches with discussion of African-American male leadership

Kevin Rome

Dr. Kevin D. Rome, President of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo., will speak on the topic "Leading Beyond Anger, African-American Male Leadership in Today's Society," Sunday, Nov. 6 in Meier Hall on the Black Hills State University campus in Spearfish. The event begins with a social at 6:30 p.m. followed by Rome's presentation at 7 p.m.  The event is free and open to the public as part of the new President's Lecture Series at BHSU. A limited number of tickets are available by contacting Corinne.Hansen@BHSU.edu.

In the wake of increased racial tensions and protests throughout the U.S., along with several highly-publicized protests, Black Hills State University invites the public to the inaugural Presidential Lecture Series (PLS) presentation to hear from a nationally known speaker.

Dr. Kevin D. Rome, President of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo., will speak on the topic "Leading Beyond Anger, African-American Male Leadership in Today's Society," Sunday, Nov. 6 in Meier Hall on the BHSU campus in Spearfish. The event begins with a social at 6:30 p.m. followed by Rome's lecture at 7 pm.

A limited number of tickets are available for this event. Contact Corinne.Hansen@BHSU.edu to request a ticket.

Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., BHSU President, created the PLS to draw attention to current events and ideas with the potential for great impact on today's college students and communities.

"Through this lecture series we're bringing successful University Presidents from throughout the United States to visit and speak about various higher education topics. Dr. Rome will discuss African-American leadership. Future guests may speak on sustainability, enrollment, globalization, and research," said Jackson.

A nationally-recognized and dynamic speaker, Rome brings a unique perspective on the recent racial incidents in occurring in communities throughout the U.S. Rome began serving as President of Lincoln University in 2013. During the past three years in his executive position, Rome has focused on increasing student enrollment and retention with great success along. Rome and his team at Lincoln University have also expanded academics transitioning from offering an Associate Degree in Applied Science in nursing to the now standard Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Under Rome's leadership Lincoln University has also expanded international partnerships in Korea and Jamaica with other efforts to create University presence in Cuba, Brazil, and other Asian countries in addition to South Korea.

Greater ties with the Jefferson City community have also been forged under Rome's tenure as President. In 2014, Rome implemented the Blue Tiger CUBS (Community United by Service) program providing University employees two hours of release time for volunteer work. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce and Missouri Campus Compact, along with the United Way of Central Missouri, Capital Region Medical Center, and Central Bank.

Rome earned a Bachelor of Art degree in English from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga. in 1989. He received the Master of Education in College Student Personnel with an emphasis in counseling from the University of Georgia, Athens, Ga., in 1991, and the Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Texas at Austin in 2001.

"I hope the campus and community will attend this lecture and be part of this discussion, a topic with important implications to all individuals who call the U.S. home," said Jackson.