Mar 20

Mar 20 Legacy Nod

Bowie State University’s Richard L. Lucas Honored by Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City State University, a historically black college in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, has honored one if its own.

During ECSU’s Founder’s Day Gala on March 11, the school gave the Chancellor’s Legacy Award to Richard L. Lucas, who currently serves as vice president for Institutional Advancement at Bowie State University and executive director of the BSU Foundation.

While working at ECSU, Lucas served as vice chancellor for Institutional Advancement. He’s also credited with starting the Founder’s Day Gala, which celebrates people who have given the school outstanding service. He was among four other luminaries to receive the honor.

Lucas’ higher education pedigree includes more than 25 years of service in leadership positions. For example, he served as interim vice president and associate vice president of University Relations at Howard University. Also, Lucas has over 10 years of experience as an information technology thought leader, serving as a computer systems analyst and IT department head at the University at Buffalo.

In an effort to expand opportunities in STEM-related fields, Lucas has taken on a leadership role for the Maryland Center at Bowie State University Inc., a non-profit affiliated foundation of the University System of Maryland located on Bowie’s campus.

The Maryland Center focuses on activities to enhance Bowie’s educational, research, and service mission. A major project of the center is the Education Innovation Initiative, which is a joint project with tech-giant Lockheed Martin. This project is designed to increase interest, enrollment, and retention in undergraduate and post-graduate science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines.

Lucas earned an Ed.M. and Ph.D. in Education from the University at Buffalo, and a B.S. in Information Systems Management from Buffalo State College. He is married to Jennifer K. Lucas, Esq., and has four children – Lakesha, Latrese, Richard III, and Preston.