Laureate honor given to former chancellor
By Hope Morley
Posted: 2/3/08, 10:38 PM EST Section: News
Syracuse University's Chancellor Emeritus Kenneth "Buzz" Shaw is joining the ranks of former president Ronald Reagan, football player Walter Payton and Poet laureate Gwendolyn Brooks.
Shaw will become a Laureate of The Lincoln Academy, announced Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich last week. It is the highest honor for achievement that the state can award to either residents or natives of Illinois.
"I was surprised and pleased," Shaw said with regard to the award. "It means a lot to me because it's so selective and in my home state."
Shaw is one of six laureates that will be inducted into The Lincoln Academy for 2008. A board of 33 general trustees spent three months choosing laureates who excelled in one or more of 10 categories that include science, religion, business, government and sports.
"The winners show overall excellence in their field over a good number of years," said Judy Bartholf, the executive director of the academy. Shaw qualified under the category of education, she said.
"The Medal of Lincoln is the state's highest award," Bartholf said. "It's incredible to see the responses during convocation. It's very meaningful to the recipients."
The Lincoln Academy was founded in 1965 to honor distinguished citizens of Illinois, and it is unique among the 50 states. All recipients must still be living. The only other state with a similar award program is Indiana, but its award is granted posthumously.
Typically, there are between 30 and 35 nominees each year. A friend of Shaw's submitted a nomination in his honor, so he knew this award was a possibility.
"I'm honored she would even consider me," he said.
The nomination process for this year started as early as July 2007, when the Academy called for possible recipients. All nominations had to be submitted by October to allow ample time for the general trustees to fully review all candidates.
Once the trustees choose the laureates, they pass the list on to the governor to make a public announcement. Gov. Blagojevich serves as president of The Lincoln Academy, but is not involved with the nomination or decision process.
Shaw will become a Laureate of The Lincoln Academy, announced Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich last week. It is the highest honor for achievement that the state can award to either residents or natives of Illinois.
"I was surprised and pleased," Shaw said with regard to the award. "It means a lot to me because it's so selective and in my home state."
Shaw is one of six laureates that will be inducted into The Lincoln Academy for 2008. A board of 33 general trustees spent three months choosing laureates who excelled in one or more of 10 categories that include science, religion, business, government and sports.
"The winners show overall excellence in their field over a good number of years," said Judy Bartholf, the executive director of the academy. Shaw qualified under the category of education, she said.
"The Medal of Lincoln is the state's highest award," Bartholf said. "It's incredible to see the responses during convocation. It's very meaningful to the recipients."
The Lincoln Academy was founded in 1965 to honor distinguished citizens of Illinois, and it is unique among the 50 states. All recipients must still be living. The only other state with a similar award program is Indiana, but its award is granted posthumously.
Typically, there are between 30 and 35 nominees each year. A friend of Shaw's submitted a nomination in his honor, so he knew this award was a possibility.
"I'm honored she would even consider me," he said.
The nomination process for this year started as early as July 2007, when the Academy called for possible recipients. All nominations had to be submitted by October to allow ample time for the general trustees to fully review all candidates.
Once the trustees choose the laureates, they pass the list on to the governor to make a public announcement. Gov. Blagojevich serves as president of The Lincoln Academy, but is not involved with the nomination or decision process.
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