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The Lincoln Academy of Illinois
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Special Invitation to Student Laureates →

Leadership that Inspires and Transforms

Honoring the Great Citizens of Today.
Celebrating the Great Citizens for Tomorrow.

Mission

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Laureates

2022, 2021 Fall, all →

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Leadership
in Illinois

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Students

2021, 2020, 2019, all →

Student Laureates Inducted in 2022 via a pre-recorded congratulatory video

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INTRODUCTION of the 58th CONVOCATION:

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 Support → Press Release →


The 58th Convocation was conducted at the campus of Elmhurst University on Saturday, April 30, 2022.
The Laureates honored

William J. Brodsky, Debra Cafaro,
Rebecca Carlisle Doyle, John McCarter,
Martha C. Nussbaum, Justice Robert R. Thomas

Watch →


We thank all of our sponsors and supporters.

Bill Plante and the Lincoln Laureates Podcast

by Matthew Lyle

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of legendary reporter Bill Plante’s passing. Plante spent 52 years as a correspondent for CBS News covering major historic events such as the arrival of U.S. troops in Vietnam, Martin Luther King Jr.’s march across Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, and the administrations of four U.S. presidents starting with Ronald Reagan. He passed away Wednesday at the age of 84 from respiratory failure.
Plante was kind enough to lend his talents to the Lincoln Laureate podcast series, interviewing fellow journalists George Will and Bill Kurtis. Those episodes can be listened to at the below links:

George Will, Son of the Prairie

Bill Kurtis, Service Through Truth

Excellence. Service. Honor.

The Lincoln Academy of Illinois partners with donors, members, and regents to advance the values exhibited in the life of Abraham Lincoln: Excellence, service, and honor.

We are committed to programs that:

  • Honor distinguished Illinoisans’ contributions to society;
  • Encourage public service; and
  • Invest in developing principled leadership for the future.

We can all play a role in encouraging leadership in the spirit of Abraham Lincoln through the Lincoln Academy of Illinois.

Invest in leadership, in excellence, in the future of Illinois. Join us →

News

Newton Minow: The Public Interest Podcast

Ziegler native Dr. Nick Holonyak, Jr., 2005 Laureate, Passes Away at 93

Ramsey Lewis, 1997 Laureate, Passes Away at 87

Bernard Shaw, 2002 Laureate, Passes Away at 82

Maj. Gen. John Borling – Lincoln Laureates Podcast

Business Executive Frank Clark – Lincoln Laureates Podcast

2021 Student Laureates Announced

Watch the 57th Convocation

NBA Star Doug Collins – Lincoln Laureates Podcast

2021 Laureates Announced

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Mourns the Passing of Joanne C. Smith, MD, President & CEO

MLB Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg – Lincoln Laureate Podcast

Educational Pioneer Stephanie Pace Marshall – Lincoln Laureate Podcast

J’Tia Hart on Women in STEM

The Lincoln Laureates Podcast

“The Lincoln Laureates” Podcast

Click here to learn more →

Clark Pritzker

Frank Clark, Chancellor, and The Honorable Jay Robert “J.B.” Pritzker, President of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois

The Lincoln Academy of Illinois

MISSION STATEMENT

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 honor one outstanding senior from each of the four year not-for-profit degree granting institutions and one outstanding senior from among all of the community college students who, in the spirit of Abraham Lincoln, demonstrated leadership and service in his or her campus or community and excellence in curricular and co-curricular programs, to be named Student Laureates and receive the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award and the Lincoln Medallion.

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The Lincoln Academy of Illinois
3 weeks ago
The Lincoln Academy of Illinois

Today the Lincoln Academy of Illinois celebrates MLK Jr. The four pillars on which the Lincoln Academy is built upon - Integrity, Courage, Honesty, and Empathy - are exemplified by Dr. King. ... See MoreSee Less

Today the Lincoln Academy of Illinois celebrates MLK Jr. The four pillars on which the Lincoln Academy is built upon - Integrity, Courage, Honesty, and Empathy - are exemplified by Dr. King.
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The Lincoln Academy of Illinois
3 weeks ago
The Lincoln Academy of Illinois

Our final Student Laureate Spotlight from the 2021 class is Laura Keenan from Augustana College - Illinois. Keenan graduated with degrees in Communication Studies and Graphic Design. She currently works as a marketing and creative strategist for Republic Companies in the Quad Cities.

During her time at Augustana, Keenan was the president of the Augustana Art Collective and ADs (Advertising Developers) where she led a team of ten students in the American Advertising Federation's National Student Advertising Competition. She also served on the Student Government Association board and was the winner of the Tredway Library Prize for First-Year Research.

In her Lincoln Legacy statement, Keenan writes:

"We often view great leaders as elite people who were born with special gifts and abilities that ordinary people like ourselves cannot attain. Or, we think they were really lucky in life and a great opportunity fell into their lap. Abraham Lincoln, however, reminds us that great leaders are simply ordinary people who wake up every day and choose to contribute to the greater good. They choose this, not for outside obligations, but because they desire within their hearts to do it. When we encounter a difficult situation, our decision-making should be guided by our inner desire to be compassionate, to consider everyone’s perspective, to stand up for what is right, and to share the truth, especially when it is difficult. It takes a great deal of courage to choose these principles. It is a daily, life-long commitment. But, Lincoln’s Leadership Legacy reminds us that leading from the heart—with courage, integrity, honesty, and empathy—is always possible, no matter the circumstances."

#StudentLaureate #AugustanaCollege
... See MoreSee Less

Our final Student Laureate Spotlight from the 2021 class is Laura Keenan from Augustana College - Illinois. Keenan graduated with degrees in Communication Studies and Graphic Design. She currently works as a marketing and creative strategist for Republic Companies in the Quad Cities. 

During her time at Augustana, Keenan was the president of the Augustana Art Collective and ADs (Advertising Developers) where she led a team of ten students in the American Advertising Federations National Student Advertising Competition. She also served on the Student Government Association board and was the winner of the Tredway Library Prize for First-Year Research.

In her Lincoln Legacy statement, Keenan writes: 

We often view great leaders as elite people who were born with special gifts and abilities that ordinary people like ourselves cannot attain. Or, we think they were really lucky in life and a great opportunity fell into their lap. Abraham Lincoln, however, reminds us that great leaders are simply ordinary people who wake up every day and choose to contribute to the greater good. They choose this, not for outside obligations, but because they desire within their hearts to do it. When we encounter a difficult situation, our decision-making should be guided by our inner desire to be compassionate, to consider everyone’s perspective, to stand up for what is right, and to share the truth, especially when it is difficult. It takes a great deal of courage to choose these principles. It is a daily, life-long commitment. But, Lincoln’s Leadership Legacy reminds us that leading from the heart—with courage, integrity, honesty, and empathy—is always possible, no matter the circumstances.

#StudentLaureate #AugustanaCollege
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The Lincoln Academy of Illinois
4 weeks ago
The Lincoln Academy of Illinois

Please congratulate Gavin Withaeger, our 2021 Student Laureate representative from Aurora University. Withaeger received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is currently a Cardiac Intensive Care RN at Advocate Aurora Health in Oak Lawn, Illinois.

In addition to being on the Aurora University Cross Country and Track and Field teams, he was also a Resident Assistant, a Spartan Ambassador, and served in leadership roles on the Student Government and the University's Men in Nursing organization.

In his Lincoln legacy statement, Withaeger wrote:

"Lincoln was well-known for his commitment to unite a nation ravaged by conflicting ideologies. Some would even describe his leadership as an act of heroism, but I believe Lincoln would never describe himself this way. Lincoln, a man of humble beginnings, had committed himself to a life of honesty and justice.

In accordance with Lincoln’s philosophies, I do not believe exceptional abilities are what make someone a hero; more so it is the actions we choose daily. It is the unwavering desire to do what is right, despite the potential for what unfavorable outcomes may follow. As a nurse and active member of my community, I have committed myself to the healing and protection of all people. I plan to advocate for social justice and defend the basic rights for the people of the world."

#StudentLaureate #AuroraUniversity #Nursing
... See MoreSee Less

Please congratulate Gavin Withaeger, our 2021 Student Laureate representative from Aurora University. Withaeger received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is currently a Cardiac Intensive Care RN at Advocate Aurora Health in Oak Lawn, Illinois. 

In addition to being on the Aurora University Cross Country and Track and Field teams, he was also a Resident Assistant, a Spartan Ambassador, and served in leadership roles on the Student Government and the Universitys Men in Nursing organization.

In his Lincoln legacy statement, Withaeger wrote:

Lincoln was well-known for his commitment to unite a nation ravaged by conflicting ideologies. Some would even describe his leadership as an act of heroism, but I believe Lincoln would never describe himself this way. Lincoln, a man of humble beginnings, had committed himself to a life of honesty and justice.

In accordance with Lincoln’s philosophies, I do not believe exceptional abilities are what make someone a hero; more so it is the actions we choose daily. It is the unwavering desire to do what is right, despite the potential for what unfavorable outcomes may follow. As a nurse and active member of my community, I have committed myself to the healing and protection of all people. I plan to advocate for social justice and defend the basic rights for the people of the world.

#StudentLaureate #AuroraUniversity #Nursing
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Very impressive! Congratulations Gavin!!!!!!

Congratulations!!!

👍👍👍😊❤️❤️

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The Order of Lincoln honors 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. It is the state’s highest award for professional achievement and public service.

Funds raised at the Academy’s Order of Lincoln Convocation help provide the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement awards and the ‘Lincoln Medallion’ which will be presented by the Academy’s President to each of 57 Student Laureates at a separate ceremony held in Springfield later this year.

Thus, the Lincoln Academy honors the Great Citizens of Today and Celebrates the Great Citizens of Tomorrow — knowing that now, as always, our state and nation need what Vachel Lindsay called ‘Lincoln-hearted’ men and women.

Mr. Lincoln would be proud.

Associated Organizations and Resources

Abraham Lincoln Association (ALA)

Abraham Lincoln Foundation (ALF)

Abraham Lincoln Online

Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln

Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce

Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Facebook page

Illinois Accredited Four-Year Colleges & Universities

Illinois Bicentennial

Illinois Board of Higher Education

Illinois Community College Board

Lincoln Heritage Museum (LHM)

Old State Capitol of Illinois

Rockford Historical Society

Rockford Chamber of Commerce

Sangamon County Historical Society

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation

University of Illinois Springfield Center for State Policy and Leadership

Copyright © 2020 The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. All rights reserved.
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