Laura Keenan named 2021 Lincoln laureate
Laura Keenan receives congratulations from President Steve Bahls.
Laura Kathryn Keenan, a senior from Elmhurst, Ill., was honored as Augustana's student laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois in a virtual ceremony Nov. 10.
Each fall, a senior from each of the state’s four-year colleges and universities and one student from the community colleges in Illinois is awarded the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award, becoming student laureates.
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."
Keenan is majoring in communication studies and graphic design major. She is the president of the Augustana Art Collective, promotions manager for the Web Guild, has served with the Student Government Association, and is active with ADS. She was the winner of the Tredway Library Prize for First-Year Research.
She was nominated for the honor by both Dr. Wendy Hilton-Morrow, provost, and Dr. Wes Brooks, dean of students.
Each student was presented with a certificate of merit signed by the governor, a Lincoln medallion, and a $1,000 check.
This is the 47th year The Lincoln Academy has celebrated students’ excellence in Illinois.