The Lincoln Academy of Illinois

04/12/2026

The 2026 Lincoln Laureates received The Order of Lincoln from Lincoln Academy President Governor JB Pritzker and Chancellor Todd Shapiro. Left to right, The Honorable Valerie Jarrett, Blair Kamin, Chancellor Todd Shapiro, Dr. Reginald Petty, Governor JB Pritzker, the Honorable Jesse White, and Larry Gies.

03/16/2026

In less than a month, these five outstanding individuals will receive The Order of Lincoln: Larry Gies, The Honorable Valerie Jarrett, Blair Kamin, Dr. Reginald Petty, and The Honorable Jesse White. Join us on Facebook Live on April 11 for the ceremony.

The Lincoln Academy of Illinois 2026 LINCOLN LAUREATES Larry Gies The Honorable Valerie Jarrett Blair Kamin Reginald Petty The Honorable Jesse White Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has announced the 2026 recipients of the Order of Lincoln, the state's highest honor for professional achievement and pub...

02/19/2026

As the winner of five Olympic gold medals and one bronze medal, she holds the distinction of being the most decorated American woman in the Winter Olympics. Bonnie Blair, a member of the Olympic Hall of Fame, is featured in the most recent episode of "The Lincoln Laureates" podcast.

Listen now: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lincoln-laureates/id1553528425

"The clock became my ultimate competitor. I knew my best times by track, around the world. My focus was to beat myself, not someone else."

12/02/2025

With November wrapped up and the holiday season fast approaching, we wanted to pause and take the time to give thanks!

11/28/2025

Did you know Thanksgiving became an official annual holiday thanks to President Abraham Lincoln?

On October 3, 1863 — right in the middle of the Civil War — Lincoln issued the proclamation that set the tradition we still follow today. Since then, Thanksgiving has been celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November every year… with a small exception. In 1939 and 1940, FDR briefly moved the holiday up by a week to encourage more holiday shopping and help the economy.

History has some twists — thankfully, the turkey has stayed put.

11/18/2025

Known for her integrity, tough interviewing style, and commitment to public-service journalism, Carol Marin became one of Chicago’s most trusted broadcast voices over several decades. Carol's resignation from NBC 5 in 1997 after the station hired talk-show host Jerry Springer as a commentator gained her national attention. She would go on to contribute investigative reports for 60 Minutes and 60 Minutes II, expanding her influence on the national stage.

We invite you to listen to Carol's incredible story on our latest episode of "The Lincoln Laureates" podcast. From her childhood upbringing where no less than five newspapers landed on the front porch every morning and ferocious debates at the kitchen table served as an "education of a lifetime" to how she may not have even become a journalist at all had she been able to find a teaching job in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Listen now >>> https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/carol-marin-a-compass-set-for-the-truth/id1553528425?i=1000735919870

11/11/2025

Thank you, Veterans!

Major General John Borling ('21 Lincoln Laureate) had a highly decorated 37 year military career, including a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars with V for Valor and two Purple Hearts. He was also a prisoner of war in Hanoi, Vietnam for six years.

We were fortunate enough to previously have Major General Borling on our podcast, "The Lincoln Laureates."

On this Veterans Day, we ask that you take a listen as he discusses his time spent as a POW including how he communicated with others POWs through "taps on the wall" and the entire book he wrote in his head while being held captive.

Listen to the episode here > https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/john-borling-keep-marching/id1553528425?i=1000564118210

10/27/2025

On October 18th, we welcomed our newest class of Student Laureates. The 51st Annual Convocation and Investiture of Student Laureates took place at the beautiful David Rubinstein Forum on the campus of the University of Illinois.

The Lincoln Academy's Student Laureate program recognizes excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities by seniors from each of the state’s four-year, degree-granting colleges and universities. Each Student Laureate receives the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award, a Lincoln medallion, a challenge coin, and a $1,000 check from The Lincoln Academy.

The 2025 Student Laureates are as follows:

Institution, Student Laureate, Home Town

Augustana College, Ian Max Empen, Rock Island, IL
Aurora University, Diane Elaine Fuentes, Aurora, IL
Benedictine University, Daleigh Ann Johnson-Pawlak, Lemont, IL
Blackburn College, Peyton Dahler, Carlinville, IL
Bradley University, Joseph Kenneth Traskaski, Vernon Hills, IL
Chicago State University, Allison Bolden, Chicago, IL
Columbia College Chicago, Jenna Rose Davis, New Lenox, IL
Concordia University Chicago, Lillian Frances Seifferlein, Landisville, PA
DePaul University, Natashia Jean Johannes, St. Louis Park, MN
Dominican University, Jocelyn Ramirez, Chicago, IL
Eastern Illinois University, Alexander Morris Wilcoxon, Greenview, IL
East-West University, Yaquelin Martinez, Evanston, IL
Elmhurst University, Mateo Gomez Bedoya, Addison, IL
Eureka College, Kateland Diana Dearing Williams, Queek Creek, AZ
Governors State University, Jonathan LaSean Cooper, Hazel Crest, IL
Greenville University, Norah Rae Swinigan Atkins, Lake St. Louis, MO
Illinois College, Emily Guest, Nashville, IL
Illinois Institute of Technology, Genna Gaitan, Brighton, MI
Illinois State University, Kruz Barrera, Blue Island, IL
Illinois Wesleyan University, Valeria Suarez, Puerto Ordaz, Bolivar, Venezuela
Judson University, Hana Marie Cunningham, Terre Haute, IN
Knox College, Zoe Araceli Pav, St. Petersburg, FL
Lake Forest College, Emilia Guilhermina de Paula Fonseca, Contaguases Minas Gerais, Brazil
Lewis University, Aletheia Johnson, Somonauk, IL
Loyola University Chicago, Amelie Malone, Harvey, IL
McKendree University, MaryAnn Romagna, Eagle, WI
Millikin University, Alexander Joshua Lee Farkasch, Lockport, IL
Monmouth College, Turner William Plumer, Canton, IL
National Louis University, Kayla L. Shavers, Chicago, IL
North Central College, Nmesoma E. Onyejekwe, Fastac Town, Lagos, Nigeria
North Park University, Sofia Grivot Volkmann, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Northeastern Illinois University, Cassaundra Garcia, Cicero, IL
Northern Illinois University, Joseph C. La Barbera, Berkeley, IL
Northwestern University, Christopher Axline, Naples, FL
Olivet Nazarene University, Grace Elizabeth Amburgey, Canal Wi******er, OH
Parkland College, Rebekah Grace Maxwell, Gifford, IL
Principia College, Juan Francisco Alessio, Balcarce, Argentina
Quincy University, Alexis Nicole Stufflebeam, Farmington, IL
Rockford University, Kaden Finnestad, Rockford, IL
Roosevelt University, Aviana Joy Holst, DeWitt, IA
Saint Xavier University, Chaylan Palmer, South Holland, IL
School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Aalika Bharti, Mumbai, India
Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Marsden Lee Fisher, Yorkville, IL
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Baymuhammet Baltayev, Turkenabat, Turkmenistan
Trinity Christian College, Mia Joy Musick, Fisher, IL
The University of Chicago, Daniel Brett Kind, Winter Park, FL
University of Illinois Chicago, Aparna Ramakrishnan, Lisle, IL
University of Illinois Springfield, Abigail Leigh Hemmer, Springfield, IL
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Ashley Denise Oliver, Hoffman Estates, IL
University of St. Francis, Gianna Marie Barbaro, Orland Park, IL
VanderCook College of Music, Brandon Rogelio Zavaleta, Wauwatosa, WI
Western Illinois University, Julietta Nora Morini, Glen Carbon, IL
Wheaton College, Olivia Madlin Wiebe, Davie, FL

As in past years, The Lincoln Academy will highlight each of these individuals over the next 12 months right here and on our other social media channels:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/laofil/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/laofil/

If you'd like to watch the ceremony, it can be viewed on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/live/ri4l8-A409M

Also, look out for more photos from the 51st Annual Convocation and Investiture of Student Laureates to be posted right here.

10/09/2025

This past academic school year's Student Laureate representative from the The University of Chicago was Mónica Ruiz House. Mónica graduated as a QUADRUPLE major in Law, Letters and Society; Sociology; Spanish; and Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Motivated by her family’s immigrant background and a passion for public service, Mónica hopes to build a career advancing fair and compassionate policies that support individuals and families seeking new opportunities. As one of 36 Marshall Scholars nationwide, she plans to pursue Masters degrees in both Refugee and Forced Migration Studies and in Criminology at the University of Oxford.

On campus, Mónica was a member of the school's Track & Field team. Her academic work included researching municipal ID programs to understand their impact on undocumented residents and contributing to a quantitative study examining the treatment of unaccompanied minors in U.S. immigration courts. Her outstanding academic and service record earned her the University's highest honor, the Sonnenschein Medal of Excellence, which recognizes one graduating student whose character and deeds embody the University's foundational commitment to the direct and active betterment of society at large.

Beyond campus, Mónica supported initiatives to expand access to mental health resources in Chicago's immigrant neighborhoods through the Treatment Not Trauma program. She has also supported humanitarian organizations such as the International Rescue Committee and the Mexican Commission for the Defense and Promotion of Human Rights. She is currently working as a Media and Digital Organizing Coordinator for the No More Deaths/No Más Muertes project, which uses research and mapping to promote safety and well-being for travelers in the U.S. Southwest. Mónica herself has hiked over 200 miles on the migrant trails in the Southwest.

In her Lincoln legacy statement, she wrote:

"Lincoln once counseled a young nurse to “put your feet in the right place” and “then stand firm.” Even when I err, I hope to keep my feet in this right place."

09/30/2025

Wheaton College's 2024 Student Laureate is Anna Moore. A political science major, Anna moved to the United States from the United Kingdom in 2021 to pursue her undergraduate education. She is currently enrolled in Queen's University Belfast's Masters in Law conversion / postgraduate degree program.

At Wheaton, Anna served as Executive Vice President of Student Life and Engagement on Student Government, President of Wheaton’s International Justice Mission chapter, Founder and President of the Wheaton British Club, and as a Student Ambassador for two years. Beyond campus, Anna volunteered with children’s programs both in Illinois and in Northern Ireland.

In her Lincoln legacy statement, she wrote:

"Lincoln’s strength of character and commitment to justice is a compelling example of true public service to all of us. The integrity and work ethic evident in his life, along with his consistent humility, model the essential characteristics of effective leadership. It is my hope to cultivate and carry these values. In all areas of my life, I will endeavor to display the same courage, kindness, and respect while devoting myself to helping others as Lincoln did."

09/22/2025

It's almost a wrap on our Student Laureate spotlights from this past academic year. Ryan Manthy was last year's Student Laureate representative from Illinois Institute of Technology. He graduated with a co-terminal degree in Computer Science with a minor in Bioinformatics. He is currently employed as a software engineer at Archon Technologies, which helps companies sell their software to the government.

On campus, Ryan contributed as a Genisys Analyst supporting research and student startups, served as Vice Chair of the Finance Board where he introduced new systems to improve efficiency, and organized Chicago Startup Week, coordinating a multi-school team and bringing hundreds of participants together.

Off campus, Ryan led a number of national-scale civic initiatives. As Director of Technology for New Voters, he developed digital tools that helped thousands of students take part in civic life across 39 states. He also raised $220,000 to establish the Youth Civic Hub in NYC, connecting over 5,000 public school students with opportunities for engagement. As a founding member of the Paragon Policy Fellowship, he expanded outreach to more than 40,000 people and supported local governments across the country with pro-bono research projects.

In his Lincoln Legacy statement, he wrote:

"The Lincoln Academy’s guide of living a civic-minded life resonated with me as an approach that honors a servant leadership ethos of putting the needs of your community first. To be an effective public servant means being a faithful steward of one’s community through making contributions every day that uplift the interests and well-being of others. I hope to embody this spirit by employing my skills as a computer scientist in public interest environments underserved by technologists."