Governor Shapiro hosts Ceremonial Bill Signing of HB 1461 at Lincoln University, celebrates funding increase for Nation's First Degree-Granting HBCU

Governor Josh Shapiro joined Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid Mumin, Rep. Jordan Harris, Sen. Vincent Hughes, Sen. Carolyn Comitta, Lincoln University President Brenda Allen, and Lincoln University students and staff for a ceremonial bill signing of House Bill (HB) 1461, which provides state funding for Lincoln University and other state-related universities.

Governor Shapiro signed HB 1461 into law as Act 11A on November 16, 2023. Act 11A increases Lincoln University's state funding by 21 percent, to over $18 million, to help the University continue to train the next generation of leaders, fund scholarships for students, recruit and pay the professors students rely on, and bring on additional support staff for students.

"It's a privilege to be back here at Lincoln University almost seven months after I delivered my first commencement address as Governor right here on this campus, to the Lincoln University Class of 2023," said Governor Josh Shapiro. "Our Commonwealth and our country owe a debt of gratitude to this university, and I'm proud to be back here today to pay down that debt by signing a bill that increases Lincoln University's state funding by more than $3 million this year - an increase of more than 21 percent. Under my Administration, we're developing a new vision for higher education - one focused on competitiveness and workforce development and grounded in access and affordability. That vision will help ensure that HBCUs like Lincoln can continue to open the doors to opportunity for Pennsylvania students for generations to come."

Sponsored by Rep. Jordan Harris, HB 1461 allocates funding for state-related schools - Penn State, the University of Pittsburgh, and Temple University - in addition to Lincoln University.