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Senior named 2014 Student Laureate
Loyola senior David Lewis poses with his Student Laureate award at the Old State Capitol Historic Site in Springfield. With Lewis are (far left) Phil Hale, Loyola’s vice president for government affairs, and Lewis’s parents, Angella and Slater.
By Chase DiFeliciantonio | Student reporter
Loyola senior David Lewis is a busy man.
He’s a member of numerous student groups and is the executive director of the Wolf and Kettle Council. He’s in the Maroon and Gold Society and works in the Undergraduate Admissions Office as a student ambassador. And if that weren’t enough, Lewis is also pursuing a double major in political science and international studies, along with two minors.
On November 1, Lewis added one more item to his growing resume: Loyola’s 2014 Lincoln Academy of Illinois Student Laureate.
This is the 40th year the Lincoln Academy of Illinois has honored outstanding students across the state. The award—given this year to 53 students from each of the state’s participating four-year universities, plus one student from a community college—recognizes students for leadership, service, and academic excellence. At the awards ceremony at the Old State Capitol Historic Site in Springfield, Lewis received a medallion, a certificate of achievement, and a $1,000 educational grant.
“I am truly honored to be recognized by the governor of Illinois,” Lewis said. “I owe it to my parents for teaching me the importance of hard work and dedication.”
A native of Hoffman Estates, Lewis has done significant service work outside of Loyola, including volunteering at Care for Real, a nonprofit organization that provides food and clothing for the homeless and low-income residents of Chicago’s Edgewater community.
“It takes more than good grades to win a Student Laureate award,” said Phil Hale, Loyola’s vice president for government affairs. “You also have to be a campus leader and help serve your community. David does that, and he’s a wonderful ambassador for all of Loyola’s students.”
Winning the Student Laureate award places Lewis among the state’s standout citizens.
“I am honored by the fact that this award now puts me in the company of Hillary Clinton, as she also received an award from the academy a few months ago,” Lewis said, referring to the Order of Lincoln Award that the academy gave to the former U.S. Secretary of State in May. That award— the state’s highest honor—is given to distinguished Illinoisans for their professional achievement and public service.
As for Lewis, he plans to head off to graduate school once he completes his undergraduate degrees—and hopefully, continue to serve others.
