Southern Illinois University Edwardsville senior Jessica Hammel, of Carlyle, was recognized during the Lincoln Academy of Illinois’ 45th Annual Student Laureate Convocation on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Old State Capitol in Springfield. The annual event honors one senior from each of the state’s four-year, degree-granting colleges and universities for their excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities.
As one of the student laureates, the nursing major in the SIUE School of Nursing received a certificate of merit, an Order of Lincoln medallion and $1,000 from The Lincoln Academy.
“This is an extremely high honor,” said Hammel. “I’m humbled to be associated with Abraham Lincoln and everything that he has contributed to this country. I hope that someday I can make as much of an impact as he did.”
Lincoln Academy Vice Chancellor Tom Spears provided the keynote address. “Our state, our country, our world, has this need for leaders,” he said. “Based on your being here today, there are a significant number of people who think that you might be one of those leaders — that you might possess the qualities and attributes that would allow you to bring leadership into whatever phase of life you enter into.
“You have a big word – potential. You are an example of what can be achieved by hard work, ambition, and a consistent application of character values and traits.”
For more information, visit TheLincolnAcademyofIllinois.org.
Photo (L-R): SIU Interim President Kevin Dorsey, SIUE student Jessica Hammel and Lincoln Academy Chancellor Frank Clark.