Student-athlete-mentor Simon ’20 wins accounting scholarship
Accounting/business administration major Lucas Simon ’20 is one of two Illinois students to receive the inaugural James A. Sikich Visionary Scholarship Fund.
With the full-ride scholarship, Simon will pursue a masters of accounting at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “It’s a pretty big deal,” said Dr. John Delaney, chair of accounting.
The fund was established with the Illinois CPA Society in memory of the founder, and former CEO and managing partner of Sikich LLP. James Sikich was committed to service and opening doors for promising students. Accounting majors who are leaders on campus, as well as student leaders studying computer science or technology are eligible to apply for the Sikich scholarship.
Besides playing varsity basketball for Coach Grey Giovanine, Simon has served as a peer mentor for first-year students, career mentor and residence hall community advisor at Augustana.
A tip from an alumnus led to Simon applying for the scholarship. Drew Long ’03, a senior planner at Sikich, emailed Dr. Delaney and Karen Tolf ’77 Petersen, assistant director of development and engagement, to see if any Augustana students would be interested. Thanks, Drew!