50th Anniversary of Student Laureates Program
In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Student Laureate program, past and current student laureates from all years — 1975 through 2024 joined Regents and Trustees of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois for a special luncheon on July 12, 2025, on the campus of the University of Chicago. People traveled from both coasts and in between. There was a wonderful discussion where past Student Laureates shared what it meant when they received the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement award and how it impacted their life. The discussion then moved to how they would like to be involved in the Lincoln Academy going forward. Some terrific ideas were generated in breakout groups and presented to the group as a whole with Regents and Trustees in attendance. The Lincoln Academy of Illinois will be following up with action.
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A gallery of photos from the day can be viewed through the Photo Gallery button.
2025 LINCOLN LAUREATES ANNOUNCED

Bonnie Blair

Sandra Cisneros

Jeanne Gang

Janice K. Jackson, EdD

Carol Marin

Julieanna L. Richardson
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has announced this year's recipients of the State of Illinois' highest civilian honor, The Order of Lincoln. The public is welcome to join in celebrating these accomplished individuals.
- Bonnie Blair is the first American female athlete to win five gold medals at the Olympic Winter Games. She competed in the 1984, 1988, 1992, and 1994 Olympics in speed skating.
- Sandra Cisneros is a celebrated poet, short story writer, novelist, and essayist whose work explores the lives of the working-class. Her numerous awards include MacArthur Genius, National Medal of Arts, and four honorary degrees.
- Architect Jeanne Gang is the founding partner of international architecture and urban design practice Studio Gang. She is recognized for the Aqua Tower, the tallest woman-designed building in the world at the time of its completion, now surpassed by the 101-story St. Regis Chicago, also of her design.
- Chicago native Janice K. Jackson, EdD is the CEO of Hope Chicago and former CEO of Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the first CPS alum to serve in that role. She also founded and led two Chicago public high schools.
- Carol Marin is an esteemed journalist and Emmy Award-winning reporter. She was a news anchor at WMAQ-TV, correspondent and investigative reporter for 60 Minutes and the Evening News with Dan Rather, and now is co-director of the Center for Journalism Integrity & Excellence at DePaul University.
- Julieanna L. Richardson is the founder and president of The HistoryMakers, the largest oral and video archive of profiles of 20th and 21st century African-American leaders across all sectors.
The formal ceremony will be held at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Champaign, which will be free of charge and open to the public at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. Doors will be open at 4:30 p.m. and all attendees are requested to be seated by 5:15. A formal reception and dinner will follow. For tickets, please use the link below.
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE
A LINCOLN LAUREATE
Becoming a Lincoln Laureate is a prestigious honor conferred by The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. It celebrates outstanding individuals across diverse domains. Named in homage to Abraham Lincoln, the award acknowledges remarkable contributions made by individuals within the state, upholding the legacy of excellence and service.
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