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.
CATEGORIES OF ELECTION
AGRICULTURE
Activities pertaining to the use and development of food resources and to betterment of farm and rural life.
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
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.
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
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.
LABOR
Reduction of labor-management conflicts and increase in the productivity and well-being of wage earners.
RELIGION
Exceptional effort to advance religious knowledge and understanding among citizens of different religious persuasions, thereby fostering interfaith harmony, religious tolerance, and community goodwill.
SOCIAL SERVICES
Outstanding work, at either the professional or volunteer level, toward the betterment of social conditions.
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.
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
AGRICULTURE
Activities pertaining to the use and development of food resources and to betterment of farm and rural life.
LABOR
Reduction of labor-management conflicts and increase in the productivity and well-being of wage earners.
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.
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
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.
SOCIAL SERVICES
Outstanding work, at either the professional or volunteer level, toward the betterment of social conditions.
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 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 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.
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.
