Leadership that Inspires and Transforms
Honoring the Great Citizens of Today.
Celebrating the Great Citizens for Tomorrow.
INTRODUCTION of the 58th CONVOCATION:
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
We thank all of our sponsors and supporters.
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
2021 Student Laureates Announced
NBA Star Doug Collins – Lincoln Laureates Podcast
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Mourns the Passing of Joanne C. Smith, MD, President & CEO
The Lincoln Laureates Podcast Welcomes Ryne Sandberg
Emmett Till’s Birthday July 25
56th Convocation Video Recording
The Lincoln Laureates Podcast Welcomes Dr. Stephanie Pace Marshall
Lincoln Scholar Jonathon White
Congratulations to Laureate Mellody Hobson, named to Chair Starbucks Board
“The Lincoln Laureates” Podcast
UPCOMING
2020 LAUREATE CONVOCATION
May 29, 2021
Normal, IL on the campus of Illinois State University
– Civic Committee Chairs Mrs. Marlene & President Larry Dietz
Read the 2020 announcement →
In Memoriam
Judith Harvey Bartholf
1938 – 2021
Springfield, IL—Judith Harvey Bartholf, known as Fudy to her friends and family, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at Memorial Medical Center.
Judy was born on August 18, 1938, in Springfield, Illinois, to Harry and Clascenna Hinton Harvey.
She was a graduate of Springfield High School and Brown’s Business College. Judy passionately served as the Executive Director of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois for 32 years. She also made noteworthy contributions to the Junior League of Springfield, the Boys and Girls Club, and Planned Parenthood. Judy was a proud mother and inspiring grandmother to her family. Her legacy of leadership, compassion, and etiquette carry on through the lives of those who were blessed to be in her presence.
Judy was preceded in death by her sister, Lois H. Carroll.
She is survived by her three children, Stephen P. (wife, Kelly) Bartholf, Jr. of Hollister, CA, Charles H. (wife, Tracy) Bartholf of Naples, FL, and Ann Hathaway of Travelers Rest, SC; and four grandchildren, Stephen A. Bartholf, Sarah J. Bartholf LaMana, Brenna P. Bartholf, and Charles H. Bartholf II.
Judy did not wish to have a funeral ceremony. We may individually choose to celebrate her life by engaging in philanthropic endeavors and living with intention as Judy exemplified throughout her lifetime.
Cremation was provided by Lincoln Land Cremation Society.
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.
We are featuring Alex Hernandez from Loyola University Chicago as our Student Laureate Spotlight. Alex graduated in May with a degree in Political Science - Global Studies. She has worked as a middle school tutor and mentor, tour guide, high school college coach, international resident assistant, undergraduate researcher, think tank intern, and penal affairs shadow. Additionally, she has served as a Board of Trustees Undergraduate Representative and as the Associate Justice to the Student Government of Loyola Chicago.
Hernandez credits her success to the support and care provided to her by the Round Lake Beach and Rogers Park communities:
"I am the first-generation daughter and granddaughter of Mexican immigrants, who have worked incessantly to not only help me get to where I am today but also instill within me the importance of advocating for those around me. These values inspire me to walk with and alongside disenfranchised communities, as I seek to contribute equity-oriented perspectives to international human rights policy relating to migrant, educational, and environmental justice."
#StudentLaureate #LoyolaChicago
As we celebrate Juneteenth, we want to make you aware of an unique opportunity to view the state of Illinois's copy of the Emancipation Proclamation - one of only two dozen in existence.
The document, signed by President Lincoln and Secretary of State William Seward, will be displayed at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum in Springfield from today to June 24th and then again from June 27-30. The proclamation will be displayed in the ALPLM’s library building, where there is no charge for admission.
The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum. 🙏🙏🙏
Today's Student Laureate Spotlight is Jessica Hoffmann Hoffmann from McKendree University. Hoffmann, who hails from Belleville, Illinois, graduated last month with a degree in secondary math education. Hoffmann hopes to put that degree to use as a high school math teacher.
Hoffmann played for the McKendree Women's Soccer Team and was a member of the Academic Excellence Celebration Planning Committee as well as a tutor for the Student Success Center on campus. She was also highly active with the McKendree University's Lyn Huxford Center for Community Service where she participated in, and even coordinating numerous service projects, including "Empty Bowls" during Hunger and Homeless Week, "Into The Streets" during New Student Orientation Week, and the Special Olympics. Two of her favorite service projects included volunteering at Cedar Ridge Nursing Home and Without Limits Dance Company, NFP.
Taking a creative approach to her Lincoln Legacy statement, Hoffmann submitted a beautiful poem:
Lincoln led by example, ready to serve
He sprang into action, did not just observe
By inspiring many, he created great change
He persevered even when some called him strange
As president, people looked to his lead
He did not disappoint those slaves that he freed
Committed to service, he gave and he gave
I think there’s no doubt that man was quite brave
As a math teacher, I will follow his actions
Inspiring my students while teaching them fractions
Math concepts are not the only thing I will show
As I teach servant-leadership, to help them grow
I strive to give back by helping those in need
And hope they’ll pay it forward with another good deed
When others see the good and do their own part
The world will be a better place- at least it’s a start
My students already are doing great deeds
They do all the work; I just plant the seeds
At the young age of one more than a score,
My belief in each child will help them soar
Lincoln’s example has helped shape me
Into the invested teacher I’ll always be
Some of these students have had hard lives
They need some guidance in order to thrive
Staying in my hometown, working at a school
An education for all is the very best tool
As I follow in Abraham Lincoln’s fine track,
I’m ready for the future and the chance to give back
So proud of you Jessica Hoffmann you will be a rockstar teacher!!!
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.