Leadership that Inspires and Transforms
Honoring the Great Citizens of Today.
Celebrating the Great Citizens for Tomorrow.
INTRODUCTION OF the 57th CONVOCATION:
The 57th Convocation will be in Chicago at the History Museum on November 6, 2021. The Laureates to be honored are Captain Scott Altman, Carol Ross Barney, Major General John Borling, John Andrew McQuown, Dr. John Rogers, Tommy Shimoda, Dr. Joanne Smith, and Mavis Staples.
Convocation Chair
ComEd
Lincoln Presidency
Dr. Vera & Frank Clark
Stone Edge Farm Estate Vineyards & Winery
We would also like to 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
Executive Director Job Posting
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.
Today we celebrate Stephanie Reitzig of The University of Chicago as our Student Laureate Spotlight.
Reitzig, a history major, is an undergraduate research associate for the Smart Museum of Art and a research assistant for the Newberry Library in Chicago through the College Research in the Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities Scholars program (CRASSH).
Reitzig hopes to continue her studies of the Renaissance and aims to complete a PhD in history with a focus on early modern Europe, before going into a career in museum and library fields. She is adamant about the importance of the “enormous puzzle” that is humanistic-focused research and the power of history as a tool for understanding the world.
In her Lincoln legacy statement, Reitzig wrote:
"In an 1884 biography of army nurse Rebecca Pomroy, Anna Boyden attributed the following remark to Abraham Lincoln: “All through life, be sure and put your feet in the right place, and then stand firm.” The quotation derives from a posthumous and third-hand account. Apocryphal though it may be, however, it captures two tenets of Lincoln’s leadership philosophy which I strive to emulate in all things I do: to be guided by principle, and to act with determination."
Our Student Laureate Spotlight today is Evie Dykhouse from Trinity Christian College. Dykhouse is a double major in theology and communication arts with a concentration in media studies. Upon graduation, Dykhouse plans to pursue a job in the broadcast field.
Dykhouse serves as a representative for the Student Government Association, a tutor at the Writing Center, and is deeply involved with Trinity’s Theatre program.
In her nomination form, the committee wrote, "Evie is an empathetic, kind, and thoughtful leader who is committed to the betterment of others. She demonstrates a generosity of spirit that is marked by humility and worthy of admiration. Her peers respect her deeply and Trinity’s campus is a better place for her having been a student in this community."
Please help us congratulate Evie on her recognition as Trinity Christian College's 2021 Student Laureate.
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.