Full Breakdown
Lincoln University Sues Missouri Over Alleged Historic Underfunding of HBCU
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
In federal court, seven current and former students of Lincoln University of Missouri have filed a lawsuit—styled *Kitchen v. Kehoe*—against the state, alleging that Missouri systematically underfunded the historically Black land-grant university in violation of federal law and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The plaintiffs seek a remedial fund of roughly $549 million and a court order requiring the state to match future federal land-grant allocations to Lincoln on the same terms as the University of Missouri.
Background & Context
Lincoln University, founded in 1866 by members of the 62nd U.S. Colored Infantry, is one of 19 institutions designated under the Second Morrill Act of 1890 as land-grant colleges for Black students. Under that act, the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides federal land-grant money to each school, and states must match the amount. Missouri’s funding practices for its 1862 flagship (the University of Missouri) and its 1890 institution (Lincoln) have diverged for decades, a disparity that became quantifiable after the federal government began aggregating state data in 1987.
Data & Statistics
- Federal tracking first published in 2023 shows Missouri withheld an estimated $361.6 million in required matching funds for Lincoln between fiscal 1987 and 2020.
- The plaintiffs’ complaint breaks the total claim into a documented shortfall of $223.8 million plus $325 million in prejudgment interest, yielding the headline figure of $549 million.
- Between fiscal 2000 and 2007, Missouri provided no matching funds; from 2008 to 2021, the match ranged from 11 % to 51 % of the required amount.
- Lincoln diverted $43.5 million of its core operating budget to retain full USDA grants between 2000 and 2016.
- By contrast, the University of Missouri received its full federal match, totaling $191.7 million in federal grants and $192.7 million in state funds from 2011 to 2022.
Official Statements & Responses
- Governor Mike Kehoe’s office said it has not been served with the complaint and declined to comment on pending litigation.
- Lincoln University declined to comment.
- The Missouri Legislative Black Caucus publicly supported equitable funding for Lincoln.
- Plaintiffs’ attorney Don Calloway emphasized that the lawsuit seeks a federal consent decree to ensure future parity in state matching of land-grant funds.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Media outlets differ on the total monetary claim: some report the $549 million figure, while others cite the $361.6 million gap identified in a 2023 federal letter to governors.
- No court rulings have yet addressed the merits of the case, and the state has not filed a formal response, leaving the factual basis of the alleged funding formulas unresolved.
Why It Matters
If the plaintiffs prevail, the case could establish a precedent for HBCUs to demand equitable state matching of federal land-grant funds. Attorneys have noted interest from legislators in Oklahoma, Virginia, and Texas, suggesting a Missouri decision may trigger similar claims in other states.
What’s Next
The lawsuit proceeds in U.S. District Court, where the state may contest the claims or negotiate a settlement. Plaintiffs have expressed willingness to settle for the undisputed $361 million shortfall while maintaining the broader goal of a consent decree guaranteeing equal future funding. Parallel litigation in other states indicates that the outcome in Missouri could shape a national legal strategy to address historic funding inequities for 1890 land-grant colleges.