A Lynx in Berlin
Lincoln College Alum Tony Zurkammer will run in Berlin Marathon

 

[September 13, 2018] 

LINCOLN 

When the runners in the annual Berlin Marathon began their 26-mile, 385-yard journey near the famed Brandenburg Gate on Sept. 16, at least one runner will be sporting Lincoln College Lynx gear.

Tony Zurkammer, a 1990 graduate of Lincoln College, will be competing in the 45th annual marathon Sunday. The event has grown from 286 athletes in 1974 to become one of five world-wide marathons with more than 39,000 finishers, along with New York City, London, Chicago and Paris.

And, after Zurkammer returns to Illinois, he plans to compete for the second time in the Chicago Marathon just a few weeks later on Oct. 7.

Zurkammer said he wanted to wear official Lincoln College running gear as a tribute to the school.

“Lincoln College was the perfect start for my life at the age of 18 when I ‘thought’ I knew everything,” Zurkammer said. “If not for Lincoln College I don't believe I would be where I am at today in my life or career. I personally want to thank Lincoln College for giving me that opportunity.”

At Lincoln College, Zurkammer was co-valedictorian of his graduating class with a 4.0 GPA. He received a number of awards while in school, including the Lincoln Academy Student Laureate award.

After graduation, he went on to attend Southern Illinois University - Carbondale on an academic scholarship. He graduated in Business Administration in 1992 and was the recipient of the "Outstanding Business and Administration Student" award for the College of Business.

He went on to attend the University of Illinois Springfield and was selected as a Graduate Public Service Intern participant to obtain his MBA. Upon graduating, he worked for the State of Illinois before joining State Farm Insurance in Bloomington, in 1996, where he is currently employed.

Zurkammer’s daughter Corina currently attends Lincoln College. His father, Tom Zurkammer is a longtime professor and administrator at Lincoln College, having served as Provost from 2003 to 2008. Tom Zurkahmmer continues to serve the college as an adjunct professor in math.

[Mark Gordon
Public Relations and Media Manager
Lincoln College]