Lincoln University investigating racial graffiti

Someone spray-painted the "n"-word on a sign at the entrance of Lincoln University overnight, according to a message sent to the university community Thursday morning.

Public safety officers at the university in Chester County discovered the graffiti on its northwest corner entrance sign at 1:50 a.m., and the word was gone later Thursday morning, officials said.

Lincoln University, founded in 1854, was the nation's first historically black college or university.

"This incident is a sober reminder that our forebearers persevered in the face of hatred and intimidation, yet achieved and maintained standards for excellence which Lincoln University has become known," acting president Valerie I. Harrison told the university community.

"Let's not allow the cowardly acts of others distract us from our commitment to maintaining this legacy or cause us to act in a manner that is inconsistent with our greatness," Harrison said.

She asked public safety officers to make every effort to find whoever is responsible.

University officials said they will work with the Chester County District Attorney's Office to prosecute the person or people involved.

The university's student government association said in a statement to students that they can "combat last night's actions" by excelling in their educations, giving back to their communities and showing "what it truly means to be the educated youth of a prestigious and dynamic heritage."

"We retaliate," the association said, "by understanding that we are not inferior nor defined by the same name they tried to break our ancestors with hundreds of years ago."

- Michaelle Bond