Northeastern Illinois University has selected Computer Science major Obsmara Ulloa as its 2020 Lincoln Academy Student Laureate. Every fall semester, The Lincoln Academy of Illinois honors one graduating senior from each university in the state who demonstrates leadership and service contributions on campus and beyond, academic success, and extracurricular achievements.
While Ulloa and other student laureates from around the state are unable to be recognized in-person this year, she and the other recipients were honored with a virtual program on Nov. 10. Each will still be awarded the Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Medallion, a certificate of achievement and a $500 stipend. Additionally, this year, The Lincoln Academy of Illinois is issuing a Challenge Coin to each recipient as a continual reminder to be a leader who inspires and transforms communities through integrity, courage, honesty and empathy.
“I think there are really great people, like Abraham Lincoln, who dedicate their entire lives to fighting for the greater good,” Ulloa said. “I know that just getting this award doesn’t mean that. It means any good thing you do, no matter how small, can help someone else feel supported and welcomed into a community. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. It’s about offering support, which I think is really important in a university community. If people have the support system they need then they’re going to thrive and it’s going to help the entire community prosper.”
Ulloa is a senior at Northeastern who transferred to NEIU from the City Colleges of Chicago.
Read the article here