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Lincoln Laureate Award

Each year the Lincoln Academy of Illinois honors outstanding college seniors with the Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Award. This award is presented to one senior from each of the four-year degree-granting colleges and universities in Illinois for excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities.

The Lincoln Academy, unique among the fifty states, was established in 1964 to honor Illinois’ most distinguished citizens with the state’s highest award, the Order of Lincoln. Since 1975, nominated student laureates are honored each fall at a ceremony and luncheon at the Old State Capitol in Springfield.

All graduating, undergraduate seniors are eligible to nominate themselves or to be nominated by a DePaul University faculty or staff member.

At the Student Laureate Convocation, each Student Laureate will receive the $1,000 Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award, A Lincoln Academy medallion, and a certificate of honor. Additionally, the student will be recognized at DePaul University's Leadership Recognition Ceremony.

1. Eligible students can nominate themselves or be nominated by a DePaul faculty/staff through this form. The nomination process typically opens in September of each year. Check back for information.

2. Nominated students will have the opportunity to write a supporting statement which typically has a deadline of late September. Any students wishing to self-nominate will still have the opportunity to submit their forms through this deadline as well.

3. Applications will be reviewed by DePaul University's Lincoln Laureate Student Selection Committee the following week with a recipient typically chosen after the first week of October.

4. In November, the recipient will be invited to attend the Student Laureate Convocation at the Old State House in Springfield, IL (COVID pandemic opening stage allowing), to receive their award. This will be followed by a luncheon for all the Student Laureates at the Governor's Mansion.

*DePaul University will sponsor travel for student and one guest to the convocation.*

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