Leadership that Inspires and Transforms
“…let us confidently hope that all will yet be well.”
-Abraham Lincoln
Come to Springfield, Illinois and visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
INTRODUCTION OF the 56th and 57th CONVOCATIONS:
- The 56th Convocation will be on the ISU campus on May 29, 2021. This year’s recipients are: Scott Altman, Doug Collins, Robert Fraley, and Donald McHenry.
- The 57th Convocation will be in Chicago at the History Museum on November 6, 2021. The Laureates to be honored are Carol Ross Barney, Major General John Borling, John Andrew McQuowan, Dr. John Rogers, Tommy Shimoda, Dr. Joanne Smith, and Mavis Staples.
- Please consider joining us →
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 →
We offer our condolences to the family of James R. Thompson, the longest-serving governor of Illinois, Lincoln Laureate, and past President of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois.
Stanley Balzekas
We are sad to announce the passing passing of Stanley Balzekas, Jr., on June 18, 2020.
Stanley founded the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture. He was a long time member of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois, and a decorated World War II veteran.
Read more about Stanley’s storied life at
https://www.palosgaidasfh.com/obituary/stanley-balzekas-jr
UPCOMING
2020 LAUREATE CONVOCATION
Normal, IL on the campus of Illinois State University
– Civic Committee Chairs Mrs. Marlene & President Larry Dietz
Read the 2020 announcement →
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.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Did you know that it was President Lincoln who issued the Proclamation that made Thanksgiving an official annual holiday? He made the announcement on October 3, 1863 - right in the midst of the Civil War.
The holiday has taken place on the fourth Thursday of November each year since, except for 1939 and 1940 when FDR tried to boost the economy by adding another week of shopping between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Due to COVID-19, we were unable to hold our annual ceremony honoring the Class of 2020 Student Laureates in-person this year. We have sent the packets to the Colleges and Universities and asked them to document the presentations for us.
For those Student Laureates who don't see your picture here, please send it to us so that we may add it to the album.
A huge congratulations goes out to Illinois State University President Larry Dietz on the announcement of his upcoming retirement. President Dietz is the longest serving of all current Illinois public university presidents.
'More Grateful' ISU President Dietz Retiring In June 2021
www.wglt.org
Illinois State University President Larry Dietz said Friday he plans to retire in June after more than seven years of leading the institution.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.