Kyle Lowry of Winamac named Student Laureate of Illinois' Lincoln Academy

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Kyle Lowry, Olivet Nazarene University's 2011 Student Lincoln Laureate

BOURBONNAIS, IL (11/08/2011)(readMedia)-- Kyle Lowry of Olivet Nazarene University was honored as a Student Laureate by The Lincoln Academy of Illinois during a ceremony in Springfield, Ill., Saturday, November 5, 2011. A senior and student body president, Lowry is the son of Kent and Dena Lowry, Winamac, Ind.

At the Old State Capitol State Historic Site, Lowry received the Student Lincoln Academy Medallion, an honorarium and a certificate of achievement. He was one of 51 students receiving this award. This event marked the 37th year that the Academy has honored Illinois college students.

"These students have exhibited a personal commitment to excel, as seen by their remarkable academic accomplishments," said Thomas S. Johnson, chancellor of the Academy. "They serve as role models to other Illinois students. With hard-working and dedicated young leaders such as these, Illinois and the rest of the nation can look forward to a bright future."

Lowry, a Christian education major, was chosen by Olivet for his outstanding achievements in academics and extracurricular activities. This academic year, in addition to being student body president, Lowry is a member of the Homecoming court; vice co-chair of the Nazarene Student Leadership Association (NSLA); and a member of the Food Service Committee. In previous years, he has served as vice president for publicity for Seventh Reel Film Club; a member of the Food Service Committee, Associated Student Council Social Life Committee, and sophomore class council; and student body vice president for social life. In 2010, he was selected by his peers as "Mr. ONU."

"This is a great honor," Lowry said. "If you had told me in high school that I would be receiving this award, I would have laughed. Olivet has taken me places I never would have expected."

"Kyle is an outstanding young man who is willing to do whatever God calls him to do," said Dr. Leon Blanchette, associate professor of Christian education at Olivet. "It's exciting to watch how God is honoring that faithfulness. As Kyle's advisor, I could not be more proud of him."

Olivet Nazarene University is an accredited Christian, liberal arts university offering more than 100 areas of undergraduate and graduate study, including the Doctor of Education in ethical leadership. Olivet has one main campus in Bourbonnais, Ill. - just 50 miles south of Chicago; three sites: Rolling Meadows and Oak Brook, Ill., and Hong Kong; and more than 100 School of Graduate and Continuing Studies learning locations throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest. From Oxford to Tokyo, hundreds of Olivet students also experience the global classroom each year, whether through study abroad opportunities or worldwide mission trips.

The Lincoln Academy of Illinois, unique among the 50 states, was established 47 years ago to honor Illinois' most distinguished citizens with the state's highest award, the Order of Lincoln. In addition, the Student Laureate award was established 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. By celebrating the Great Citizens of Today and encouraging the Great Citizens of Tomorrow, the Academy acknowledges that Illinois and the nation continue to need what Vachel Lindsay called "Lincoln-hearted" men and women.

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ONU news is also available on the web. Go to www.olivet.edu and click on "News & Events." Licensed University photos and official logos available upon request. For additional information, contact Laura Warfel at 815-928-5403, or lwwarfel@olivet.edu.