October 28, 2026
Linda Blaser
Anika Kinnear ’27 inaugurated as 2026 Lincoln Laureate
Anika Kinnear ’27 is ready to lead and has the credentials to prove it. The Florida native received one of the highest honors bestowed on a college student in the State of Illinois when she was inaugurated as a 2026 Student Lincoln Laureate last weekend.
Ceremonies were held October 24 at the Old State Capitol Historic Site in Springfield, Illinois, where more than 50 top students from four-year, degree-granting universities and colleges across the state were honored.
Selected by their individual institutions, the Laureates are recognized for their excellence in both curricular and extracurricular activities. With a focus in environmental justice and African American studies, Kinnear hopes to help draft and institute policy changes that bring equity and justice to all.
“In a world of ever-growing divide, hostility, and turmoil, acting in the best interest for the greater good isn’t always an easy choice. It sometimes means making the hard, unpopular decisions in order to stand for those who need it most," she wrote in her 2026 Student Laureate application.
The events were livestreamed on the Lincoln Academy of Illinois website.
“These students represent our state and its people so well,” said Todd Shapiro, Chancellor of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. “The program stretches back more than a half-century. Its newest members and those who were selected 52 years ago, alike, are accomplished, talented, and reflect the academy's dedication to public service.”
Each Student Laureate received the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award, a Lincoln medallion, a challenge coin, and a $1,000 check from The Lincoln Academy.
The full list of this year's Student Laureates is available here.