Student Leadership Recognition and Awards

The Jaguar Connection linkStudent Life has established leadership opportunities for those students who excel in academic and co-curricular achievements. Faculty and students participate in the nominating process for these opportunities.

  • Student Leadership Awards 2020

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    The Governors State University cordially invite you to nominate a student leader, or a student club/organization for recognition in the Celebration of Excellence, annual student leadership awards.  The 2020 Student Leadership Awards will take place online Thursday, April 30th from 1pm – 3pm.  We strongly encourage student clubs/orgs and campus community members to submit nominations by Friday, April 17th.  Submit your nomination TODAY by clicking the link below.

     

    Student Leadership Awards Nomination Form

     

  • Commencement Singer

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    GSU selects a commencement singer based upon vocal ability and strong academic record at the University. The commencement student vocalist sings the National Anthem at the start of their Commencement Ceremony.

     

     Due to the impact of COVID-19, this has been postponed until further notice

  • Lincoln Laureate

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     Lincoln Laureate BannerEach fall, an outstanding senior from each of the degree-granting institutions of higher learning in Illinois is awarded the Student Lincoln Academy Medallion and thereby becomes a Student Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. Student Laureates are honored for their overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities.

    The Lincoln Laureate honor individuals whose contributions to the betterment of mankind have been accomplished in or on behalf of the State of Illinois, or, whose achievements have brought honor to the state because of their identity with it, whether by birth or residence, or by their dedication to those principles of democracy and humanity as exemplified by the great Illinoisan whose name it bears. It is to honor senior students at each of the four-year, degree-granting institutions in Illinois for overall excellence, in both curricular and extra-curricular programs.

     

    This process will begin Fall 2020.

     

     

     

  • 2019 Lincoln Laureate Award Recipient

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    Amanda Spayer -- Lincoln Laureate

     

    Lincoln Laureate


    Each year an outstanding senior from each of the four-year degree granting institutions of higher learning in Illinois is named a Student Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. Student Laureates are honored for their overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities. 

     

    Governors State University Accounting major Amanda Spayer has been named the 2019 Lincoln Laureate, honoring her leadership and service in the pursuit of the betterment of humanity and for overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities.
    Amanda has earned a 4.0 and maintained a spot on the Dean’s list despite life’s challenges that previously forced her to drop out of high school.
    After earning her GED, Amanda went on to earn an associate degree from Kankakee Community College and then enrolled at Governors State in 2017 with dreams of becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) after graduation.
    She is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma Business and Tau Sigma national honor societies and has been the co-president of the Accounting, Finance and Economics club at Governors State University since the spring of 2018.
    In her nomination of Amanda, a faculty member wrote that Amanda “exemplifies the essence of how Lincoln’s Leadership Legacy will be a guide in directing a civic minded life of service and commitment to a greater good."
    Each year, the Lincoln Academy of Illinois honors individuals whose contributions to the betterment of humanity have been accomplished in or on behalf of the State of Illinois, or whose achievements have brought honor to the state because of their identity with it, whether by birth or residence, or by their dedication to those principles of democracy and humanity. Additionally, one senior from each of the four-year, degree-granting institutions in Illinois is honored for overall excellence, in both curricular and extra-curricular programs.
    Amanda notes a sense of fulfillment in receiving the award.
    “This honor means everything to me. I have learned from receiving it that even at the age of 30, if you set a goal and work hard, anything is possible!”

    The Lincoln Laureate honors individuals whose contributions to the betterment of mankind have been accomplished in or on behalf of the State of Illinois, or, whose achievements have brought honor to the state because of their identity with it, whether by birth or residence, or by their dedication to those principles of democracy and humanity as exemplified by the great Illinoisan whose name it bears. It is to honor senior students at each of the four-year, degree-granting institutions in Illinois for overall excellence, in both curricular and extra-curricular programs.