Christopher Branch, a senior electrical engineering major from Shiloh, was named this year’s recipient of the Student Laureate Award for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville by the Lincoln Academy of Illinois.
Branch received the Lincoln Medal, a Certificate of Merit, and a monetary grant at a ceremony held in the Hall of Representatives in the Old State Capital hosted by the Governor of Illinois on Nov. 2.
The Lincoln Academy began the Student Laureate Award Program in 1975 to honor students that represent the values and virtues of America’s 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. Recipients are chosen for their overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities.
“I felt very honored that not only the School of Engineering feels that I’m suitable to represent them as their nominee, but the University also felt I was the best nominee on the SIUE campus,” said Branch. “It feels great to know that the work I do does not go unnoticed.”
During 2011, Branch received the SIUE 1st Place Rising Sophomore Academic Award, a University wide paper writing competition. In 2012, he was awarded a scholarship from The Boeing Company; a prestigious award based on a student’s academic achievements and extracurricular activities. Branch also received the 2013 Electrical Engineering Outstanding Junior Award.
During the summer of 2013, the School of Engineering ran a pilot study to gather data on the impact of supplemental instruction in pre-calculus classes. Branch was recruited to be part of the project team. He worked with his peers as a supplemental instructor in an interactive problem-solving environment. The aim was to improve their understanding of the course material.
“Although he is intellectually gifted enough to thrive as an engineering student, studying on his own, and has demanding time pressures as a husband and father, Chris seeks out and tries to study with students, who need academic help, because he is gratified in seeing those students succeed,” said Bob LeAnder, an associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “He has a superior work ethic.”
A non-traditional student, Branch began his studies at the age of 26, while raising a family. He was discouraged from signing up for classes by many people. He said he was told he could not finish his studies while raising a child.
He proved them wrong—not only effectively balancing school, work and family, but excelling in the demanding program and earning a 3.95 GPA.
“I knew it would be difficult, but I believed that it would be worth it,” said Branch. “It all started with standing firm on my belief that education is worth the extra effort.”