Lake Forest College Senior From Waukegan Named Student Laureate

LAKE FOREST, IL — A college senior from Waukegan is among the students set to be honored this week as members of the 47th class of Lincoln Academy student laureates.

Historically held every fall at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, this year's ceremony honoring students will be composed of a prerecorded video-teleconference for the second consecutive year due to coronavirus concerns, according to organizers.

Each of the state's colleges, universities and community colleges select one outstanding student who excels inside and outside of the classroom.

Hernandez Mizraim, of Waukegan, was selected as this year's student laureate from Lake Forest College, according to the Lincoln Academy.

The ceremony honoring Mizraim and the other honorees will feature a statement from Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who serves as president of the academy, an invocation from retired Judge Ron Spears and welcoming remarks from Frank Clark, former ComEd CEO and Lincoln Academy chancellor.

Since 1964, the academy grants membership in the Order of Lincoln to present or past citizens who have made outstanding contributions to humanity, in addition to students.

According to academy representatives, four Lincoln Academy laureates will address the "four recognized pillars" of Abraham Lincoln's leadership.

They include: Jean Driscoll, 2012 Lincoln laureate and 1990 student laureate, speaking about courage; Stephanie Pace Marshall, 2005 Lincoln laureate and past academy chancellor, speaking about empathy; Scott Simon, 2016 Lincoln laureate, speaking about honesty and Michael "Coach K" Krzyzewski, a 2014 Lincoln laureate, speaking about integrity.

Each member of the 2021 class of student laureates will receive a $500 check from the Lincoln Academy, a challenge coin, a Lincoln medallion and a certificate of merit and letter signed by Pritzker. The ceremony will be available to view online Wednesday.