Emily Keene Honored by Lincoln Academy of Illinois
PDF Lauren Barnes, Asst. News Editor
Photo provided by Emily Keene: Emily Keene receives her award for excellence in academic and extracurricular activities from Lewis University Vice President of Student Services Joseph Falese.
Lewis University student Emily Keene, majoring in business administration with a minor in marketing, was recently honored by The Lincoln Academy of Illinois.
The Lincoln Academy’s “Student Laureate Award” is presented to one senior at every four-year institution in Illinois with excellent academic and extracurricular activities. Keene was nominated by a supervisor and voted on by a committee to represent Lewis this year.
“Needless to say, I was surprised because there are many people who have a higher GPA, but I believe my involvement and leadership in my classes and extracurricular activities are what put me over the edge for the overall decision,” Keene said.
Keene’s extracurricular activities consist of being on the women’s track and field team as a hammer/weight thrower, and being a participant in Art Club during her underclassman years as secretary, treasurer and president.
She is also a member of Delta Epsilon Sigma, the Catholic Honor Society, while mainly involved with her fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi. Keene has been a member of Delta Sigma Pi, the professional business fraternity on campus, since fall 2010. She has held many positions such as Vice President of Community Service, VP Pledge Education, Senior VP and now she currently holds the chair of Banquet Coordinator.
“Graduation May 2013 is just around the corner for me,” Keene said. “I’m feeling pretty excited, but I am terrified about the job market. I will miss Lewis quite a bit, too, because this university has helped me develop in many ways.”
This award was given to Keene on Nov. 3, 2012, at the Old State Capitol building in Springfield, Ill. There was also a reception held at the Governor’s Mansion afterward, where Senior VP of Student Services, Joe Falese, and his wife, shared the experience with Keene’s family. Brother James Gaffney also held a dinner in Keene’s honor after the ceremony here at Lewis.
“I have been so thankful to everyone who had helped me to get where I am,” Keene said. ”The entire experience was phenomenal, and I will look back forever on the honor and be thankful for the recognition of my everyday accomplishments.”
Along with the honor, Keene received a grant from the Lincoln Academy for travel expenses to and from Springfield, a certificate and a Student Laureate Medallion.
About the Author
Lauren Barnes is the Assistant News Editor for the Flyer. She is a fourth year student majoring in Multimedia Journalism and Radio/TV Broadcasting with a minor in Public Relations. Barnes hopes to break into the entertainment industry writing about celebrity news.
