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CLASS OF 2024 LAUREATE CONVOCATION

SUPPORT & TICKETS

60th ANNUAL CONVOCATION AND INVESTITURE  |  2024 Lincoln Laureates

Join us in honoring the 2024 Laureates. If you cannot attend, you can still contribute to the celebration. Click the Support button below to see the options for giving and tickets.

Saturday, April 13, 2024 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.  |  Chicago History Museum

The Laureates honored will be announced by the Governor on Abraham Lincoln's birthday, February 12th.

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Days to Next Convocation

ENDOWMENT FUND

Learn more about the Spirit of Lincoln Endowment Fund and how you can contribute

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FOR ACADEMY
MEMBERS

MEMBERSHIPS

STUDENT LAUREATES

We invite you to continue the legacy of support for our Student Laureates

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GENERAL DONATION

Not sure where you want to donate? Make a general donation

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THE PURPOSE OF

THE ORDER OF LINCOLN

Honoring the Great Citizens of Today

The Order of Lincoln, Illinois' highest civilian award, honors professional achievements and contributions to the betterment of humanity by those who have brought honor to the state because of their achievements and their identity with Illinois, whether by birth or residence. The Lincoln Academy of Illinois is an independent non-partisan organization, established in 1964 to administer the program and to choose the annual honorees. The Governor of Illinois is president of the Academy and presents the Order of Lincoln at the Convocation and Investiture Ceremony.

Celebrating the Great Citizens for Tomorrow

The Academy also includes a Student Laureate program honoring over fifty students each year - one from each four-year college and university in Illinois and one student representing our state's community colleges - chosen by their college presidents on the basis of demonstrated exemplary leadership and service in pursuit of the betterment of humanity and excellence in curricular and co-curricular programs. Over 2,000 graduating seniors have been honored.

Thus, by honoring the Great Citizens of Today we also celebrate the Great Citizens for Tomorrow.

Funds raised at the Order of Lincoln ceremony assist the Academy in implementing this program, including a monetary Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement award and the 'Lincoln Medallion' presented by the Governor.

2024 Convocation Sponsorships are available at the following levels:

A. Lincoln Signature: $50,000
President: $25,000 (table of ten)
Congressman: $10,000 (table of 8)
Railroad Lawyer: $5,000 (6 tickets)
Circuit Rider: $2,500 (4 tickets)
Railsplitter: $1,000 (2 tickets)

Click to download and print the Commitment form.

Click to download the Lincoln Academy of Illinois W9 form.

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WHAT IS THE

SPIRIT OF LINCOLN ENDOWMENT FUND

Investment in this fund allows us to expand our efforts to highlight the accomplishments of distinguished Illinoisans and to 'pay it forward' by encouraging excellence and principled civic engagement in young leaders. Our goals include: 1) connecting Student Laureates with senior members of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois who can act as mentors and encouragers; and 2) instilling in the next generation a commitment to lead "in the spirit of Abraham Lincoln" to the betterment of humanity.

The Lincoln Academy's Spirit of Lincoln Endowment Fund, managed by the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln (CFLL) located in Springfield, provides an opportunity to fund and enhance the programs of the Academy.
The goal of Phase I is to secure $1.5 million so investment income may be used to support the Student Laureate stipends and other programs of the Lincoln Academy.

The Lincoln Academy can accept credit card donations and gifts of property and stocks.

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BECOME A MAJOR SUPPORTER

AT THE LINCOLN ACADEMY

Transformational - $100,000
Advancing - $50,000
Founding - $25,000
Sustaining - $10,000
Leadership - $5,000
Contributing - $2,500
Friend of the Fund - All gifts under $2,500

Please download this PDF if you wish to fill out a paper form or make payments over time. To make payments over multiple years your pledge must be at least $1,000 per year. There is a three year limit for such contributions.

Please remember The Lincoln Academy of Illinois in your estate planning.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Spirit of Lincoln Endowment Fund

For more information please contact:
Leanne Barnhart, Executive Director
Email: LBarnhart@TheLincolnAcademyofIllinois.org
Phone: 217-493-0047

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THE IMPORTANCE

OF THE LINCOLN ACADEMY

The Lincoln Academy of Illinois is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan, and self-perpetuating corporation established in 1964. It was created to recognize the outstanding contributions made by living Illinois citizens, whether by birth or by residence. This recognition is for work toward the social, cultural, and technological progress of mankind. As a result it is to thereby encourage greater dedication to such progress by all citizens of Illinois.

Individuals whose achievements are considered deserving of tribute by the Academy are elected Members of the Academy. As a result they are proclaimed Laureates, and decorated with the Order of Lincoln. The Order of Lincoln is the State of Illinois' highest civilian award. It is awarded at a formal public ceremony each year.

The Order of Lincoln is the State's highest civilian award for individual achievement. It consists of conferring upon the Laureate the Badge of the Academy . It also includes a citation outlining the reasons for his or her selection as a Laureate. The Badge is shown on each web page, upper left.

SUPPORT OUR

STUDENT LAUREATES

We invite your continued support of the Student Laureate recognition and convocation because of its clear importance.

The following levels of sponsorship are offered:

Chancellor's Circle - $2,500 to $5,000

Pioneer Circle - $1,000 to $2,499

Leadership Circle - $500 to $999

Special Friend - up to $499

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HOW TO MAKE

A GENERAL DONATION

General donations made to the Lincoln Academy of Illinois to be used for any of the donation categories listed on this website.

The Lincoln Academy can accept credit card donations and gifts of property and stocks.

For more information please contact:
Leanne Barnhart, Executive Director
Email: LBarnhart@TheLincolnAcademyofIllinois.org
Phone: 217-493-0047

Give now