Organization

THE MISSION STATEMENT OF

THE LINCOLN ACADEMY

To honor individuals whose outstanding contributions to the betterment of mankind have been accomplished in or on behalf of the State of Illinois, or whose achievements have brought honor to the State because of their identity with it, whether by birth or residence, or by their dedication to those principles of democracy and humanity as exemplified by the great Illinoisan whose name we bear. These individuals, reflective of the diverse populace of the State of Illinois, are named Laureates of the Academy and receive the "Order of Lincoln," the State of Illinois' highest award, at an annual Convocation.

To inspire the next generation of leaders. Each fall, an outstanding senior from each of the four-year degree-granting institutions of higher learning in Illinois is awarded the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award by the Governor and thereby becomes a Student Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. In the spirit of Lincoln, Student Laureates are honored for their leadership and service in the pursuit of the betterment of humanity and for overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities.

WHAT IS THE

ORDER OF LINCOLN?

The Order of Lincoln was established in 1964 by Proclamation of Illinois Governor Otto Kerner, Jr., to honor individuals whose contributions to the betterment of humanity have been accomplished in Illinois, or, whose achievements have brought honor to the state because of their identity with it, whether by birth or residence, or whose dedication to the principles of public service inspire all Illinoisans to respond to what Lincoln called 'the better angels of our nature'.

To ensure that no political connotation should surround the award, an independent, non-partisan entity was established to administer the program. Thus, the Order of Lincoln and the Lincoln Academy (based respectively upon the French Legion of Honor and the French Academy) were established, with Michael Butler, the Academy's first chancellor, as its primary architect.

In 1989, as part of the Academy's twenty-fifth anniversary, Governor James R. Thompson declared the Order of Lincoln to be 'the state's highest award' and every Illinois Governor since then has so described it.

Each honoree receives a warrant signed by the Governor and bearing the Great Seal of the State of Illinois, certifying his or her investiture as a Laureate of the Order of Lincoln.

The insignia of the Order of Lincoln is a variant of the Maltese cross (with ten points rather than eight) - a white-enameled, red-bordered Maltese asterisk. The obverse displays the Arms of the State of Illinois encircled by the inscription 'Palmam Qui Meruit, Ferat' ('Let him who merits bear the palm' - words from Horatio Viscount Nelson). The center is supported by cross pieces of perforated gold, encircled by leaves of violet. The reverse central disc features the likeness of President Lincoln in gold and on a gold ground, encircled by the inscription 'The Lincoln Academy MCMLXV'. The cross is suspended by an oval circlet of green and gold enameled oak leaves and is suspended from a ribbon in the colors of the state's symbols: red for the state bird, the cardinal; violet for the state flower; and green for the state tree, the oak.

 

Each honoree receives a warrant signed by the Governor and bearing the Great Seal of the State of Illinois, certifying his or her investiture as a Laureate of the Order of Lincoln.

The insignia of the Order of Lincoln is a variant of the Maltese cross (with ten points rather than eight) - a white-enameled, red-bordered Maltese asterisk. The obverse displays the Arms of the State of Illinois encircled by the inscription 'Palmam Qui Meruit, Ferat' ('Let him who merits bear the palm' - words from Horatio Viscount Nelson). The center is supported by cross pieces of perforated gold, encircled by leaves of violet. The reverse central disc features the likeness of President Lincoln in gold and on a gold ground, encircled by the inscription 'The Lincoln Academy MCMLXV'. The cross is suspended by an oval circlet of green and gold enameled oak leaves and is suspended from a ribbon in the colors of the state's symbols: red for the state bird, the cardinal; violet for the state flower; and green for the state tree, the oak.

WHAT IS THE

ORDER OF LINCOLN?

The Order of Lincoln was established in 1964 by Proclamation of Illinois Governor Otto Kerner, Jr., to honor individuals whose contributions to the betterment of humanity have been accomplished in Illinois, or, whose achievements have brought honor to the state because of their identity with it, whether by birth or residence, or whose dedication to the principles of public service inspire all Illinoisans to respond to what Lincoln called 'the better angels of our nature'.

To ensure that no political connotation should surround the award, an independent, non-partisan entity was established to administer the program. Thus, the Order of Lincoln and the Lincoln Academy (based respectively upon the French Legion of Honor and the French Academy) were established, with Michael Butler, the Academy's first chancellor, as its primary architect.

In 1989, as part of the Academy's twenty-fifth anniversary, Governor James R. Thompson declared the Order of Lincoln to be 'the state's highest award' and every Illinois Governor since then has so described it.

Each honoree receives a warrant signed by the Governor and bearing the Great Seal of the State of Illinois, certifying his or her investiture as a Laureate of the Order of Lincoln.

The insignia of the Order of Lincoln is a variant of the Maltese cross (with ten points rather than eight) - a white-enameled, red-bordered Maltese asterisk. The obverse displays the Arms of the State of Illinois encircled by the inscription 'Palmam Qui Meruit, Ferat' ('Let him who merits bear the palm' - words from Horatio Viscount Nelson). The center is supported by cross pieces of perforated gold, encircled by leaves of violet. The reverse central disc features the likeness of President Lincoln in gold and on a gold ground, encircled by the inscription 'The Lincoln Academy MCMLXV'. The cross is suspended by an oval circlet of green and gold enameled oak leaves and is suspended from a ribbon in the colors of the state's symbols: red for the state bird, the cardinal; violet for the state flower; and green for the state tree, the oak.

WHAT ARE THE

THE ORGANIZATION POSITIONS

PRESIDENT

The incumbent Governor of Illinois is the President of the Academy.

CHANCELLOR

The Chancellor is the principal executive officer of the Academy. He or she and the other officers, except for the President, are elected by the Regents and serve three-year terms.

VICE-CHANCELLOR

The Vice-Chancellor shall, in the absence of the Chancellor, perform his or her duties.

TREASURER

The Treasurer oversees and monitors all the financial affairs of The Lincoln Academy. 

SECRETARY

The Secretary prepares the minutes of all the meetings of the General Trustees, of the Board of Regents and the Executive Committee. 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Executive Director is the principal administrative officer of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois.

REGENTS FOR LIFE

At the discretion of the Regents, a former Governor may be elected a Regent for Life, in recognition of distinguished service to the Academy.

REGENTS

Eighteen Regents comprise the Board of Directors of the Academy. Regents are Trustees elected by their fellow Trustees to serve six-year terms on the Board. The Regents set Academy policies, fill vacancies on the Board of Regents from the Trustees and oversee the affairs of the Academy.

EMERITUS MEMBERS

A former Regent or a former General Trustee or a former Rector who has served in office for ten years or more may, at the discretion of the General Trustees, be declared a Regent Emeritus or a General Trustee Emeritus or a Rector Emeritus in recognition of particularly distinguished service to the Academy.

GENERAL TRUSTEES

General Trustees are appointed by the President and serve six-year terms. 

RECTORS

The Rectors of the categories of academic and professional endeavors shall serve six year terms.  Rectors shall identify potential candidates for Laureate and make nominations.

ACADEMIC TRUSTEES

The Academic Trustees are the chief executive officers of all degree-granting institutions of higher learning in the State of Illinois, plus the presidents of multi-campus four year institutions and a representative of the Illinois Community College Board.

CATEGORIES OF ELECTION

partnership

AGRICULTURE

Activities pertaining to the use and development of food resources and to betterment of farm and rural life.

masks

THE ARTS AND PERFORMANCE ARTS

The visual arts, literature, musical composition, or other endeavors, requiring inventiveness and artistic skills, or excellence in the performance, production, or staging of drama, music, the dance, or other theatrical creations.

education

EDUCATION

Service to the teaching profession, for the development of effective new or improved methods which result in an increase in learning, for the development of successful administrative procedures by which schools may operate more effectively and efficiently, or for other related activities which result in an increase in literacy and the general advancement of knowledge.

user

BUSINESS, INDUSTRY, AND COMMUNICATIONS

Service in the management of public or private capital for projects which have proved beneficial to the public good: trade, manufacturing, transportation, or private enterprise: or service to the public by an individual regularly employed in mass communication.

government

GOVERNMENT
AND LAW

Devotion to civic duty and outstanding public service on the national, state, or local level, or, advancement of jurisprudence, teaching of the law, administration of justice, and enforcement of law at the national, state or local level.

laborers

LABOR

Reduction of labor-management conflicts and increase in the productivity and well-being of wage earners.

pray

RELIGION

Exceptional effort to advance religious knowledge and understanding among citizens of different religious persuasions, thereby fostering interfaith harmony, religious tolerance, and community goodwill.

call-center

SOCIAL SERVICES

Outstanding work, at either the professional or volunteer level, toward the betterment of social conditions.

medicine

MEDICINE
AND SCIENCE

Development of new or improved methods and practices in the field of medical science, dedicated personal service for the good of the general public, or contributions to the scientific knowledge, principles, and practices in the biological sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, or mathematics: skill in the mechanical or industrial arts, or for the development of techniques or devices which have enabled man to control his physical environment.

trophy

SPORTS

The visual arts, literature, musical composition, or other endeavors, requiring inventiveness and artistic skills, or excellence in the performance, production, or staging of drama, music, the dance, or other theatrical creations.

CATEGORIES OF ELECTION

partnership

AGRICULTURE

Activities pertaining to the use and development of food resources and to betterment of farm and rural life.

laborers

LABOR

Reduction of labor-management conflicts and increase in the productivity and well-being of wage earners.

masks

THE ARTS AND PERFORMANCE ARTS

The visual arts, literature, musical composition, or other endeavors, requiring inventiveness and artistic skills, or excellence in the performance, production, or staging of drama, music, the dance, or other theatrical creations.

pray

RELIGION

Exceptional effort to advance religious knowledge and understanding among citizens of different religious persuations, thereby fostering interfaith harmony, religious tolerance, and community goodwill.

education

EDUCATION

Service to the teaching profession, for the development of effective new or improved methods which result in an increase in learning, for the development of successful administrative procedures by which schools may operate more effectively and efficiently, or for other related activities which result in an increase in literacy and the general advancement of knowledge.

call-center

SOCIAL SERVICES

Outstanding work, at either the professional or volunteer level, toward the betterment of social conditions.

user

BUSINESS, INDUSTRY, AND COMMUNICATIONS

Service in the management of public or private capital for projects which have proved beneficial to the public good: trade, manufacturing, transportation, or private enterprise: or service to the public by an individual regularly employed in mass communication.

medicine

MEDICINE AND SCIENCE

Development of new or improved methods and practices in the field of medical science, dedicated personal service for the good of the general public, or contributions to the scientific knowledge, principles, and practices in the biological sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, or mathematics: skill in the mechanical or industrial arts, or for the development of techniques or devices which have enabled man to control his physical environment.

government

GOVERNMENT AND LAW

Devotion to civic duty and outstanding public service on the national, state, or local level, or, advancement of jurisprudence, teaching of the law, administration of justice, and enforcement of law at the national, state or local level.

trophy

SPORTS

Skill as a professional or nonprofessional participant or instructor in individual or team sports, for the promotion of physical training fitness, or for the impairing of the spirit of good sportmanship.

THE LINCOLN ACADEMY INSIGNIA

The insignia of the Order of Lincoln is a variant of the Maltese cross (with ten points rather than eight). The obverse displays the Arms of the State of Illinois encircled by the inscription ‘Palmam Qui Meruit, Ferat’ (‘Let him who merits bear the palm’—words from Horatio Viscount Nelson). The reverse central disc features the likeness of President Lincoln in gold. The cross is suspended from a ribbon in the colors of the state’s symbols: red for the state bird, the cardinal; violet for the state flower; and green for the state tree, the oak. 

Insignia of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois

Sash worn by the Officers, Regents and General Trustees

Badge worn by the Regents

Student Laureate Medallion

Lapel pin