Dr. Michael Lomax Receives Honorary Doctorate from Lane College, Promises School $222K through UNCF Capital Campaign
Dr. Michael L. Lomax was invited to speak during Lane College’s spring convocation on Jan. 22, 2025, the official opening of the 2025 spring academic session. During the ceremony, he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from Lane College, a UNCF-member institution, recognizing his lifelong commitment to education, leadership and the advancement of opportunity for all.
Dr. Lomax shared that UNCF will continue to support Lane College and other member schools through investments from our $1 billion Capital Campaign. The campaign aims to grow a pooled endowment fund that will provide $10 million to each of UNCF’s 37-member institutions. Lane College will receive $222,000 from Capital Campaign fundraising in 2025.
Dr. Lomax also celebrated Nikolaus Baker, a junior business major from Memphis, TN, who has received over $14,000 in UNCF scholarships, including the LeBlanc/Baker Scholarship for Change.
He called out the nation’s 101 HBCUs as powerful economic engines—adding value to the U.S. economy, generating $16.5 billion in revenue, creating 136,000 jobs, while their graduates receive lifetime earnings of millions.
“As you move forward in your academic journey, remember that your life has purpose,” Dr. Lomax remarked. “You are here because of the sacrifices made by those who came before you, and you have the power to shape the future for those who will follow.”
He encouraged and challenged students attending the convocation. “Do the work,” he said. “Do it with excellence. Strive for greatness. And above all else, do it with passion.”