Gov. Blagojevich announces six Lincoln Academy laureates    

[FEB. 7, 2005]  SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced Monday that six world-famous Illinoisans who have excelled in communications, business, education, sports, science and social service will receive the Order of Lincoln Medallion at a special ceremony April 30 at 6 p.m. at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

The six individuals will become laureates of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois, the highest honor the state can bestow for outstanding achievement by people who were born in Illinois or have resided in the state. The 2005 laureates are:

Edward A. Brennan

Edward A. Brennan is retired chairman, president and chief executive officer of Sears, Roebuck and Co., based in Chicago. He started with Sears in 1956 selling men's furnishings and rose through the ranks to become Sears' 11th chairman in 1984, a position he held until retiring in 1995. During Brennan's chairmanship, Sears was one of the country's largest enterprises, including the Sears Merchandise Group, The Allstate Insurance Co., Dean Witter Reynolds and Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group. Brennan currently serves on the boards of The Allstate Corporation, 3M, Exelon Corporation, McDonald's Corporation and AMR Corporation, the parent of American Airlines. He has also had a major influence on a number of social and civic organizations.

David S. Broder

Chicago Heights native David Broder has been called "the high priest of political journalism." The Washington Post political correspondent received the 1973 Pulitzer Prize for distinguished commentary and was named Best Newspaper Political Reporter by the Washington Journalism Review. Broder's list of journalism awards is long and distinguished, and he has covered every national political campaign and convention since 1960. He has written six books and is a regular commentator on CNN's "Inside Politics" and NBC's "Meet the Press" and "Washington Week."

Nick Holonyak Jr.

A native of Zeigler and currently head of the University of Illinois' Micro and Nano Lab at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Nick Holonyak Jr. is the father of the light-emitting diode, used in a myriad of electronic applications worldwide. The holder of 33 patents for numerous electronic devices and applications, Holonyak is known throughout the world for his work with transistors, thyristors, LEDs and lasers. Virtually every human being alive today has probably seen or used a device that contains one of his inventions. He is the recipient of the 2003 National Medal of Technology and the Global Energy International Prize.

Dr. George E. Inglett

Peoria resident Dr. George E. Inglett is the innovator and marketer of corn and soybean-based weight loss and fat replacement products that have improved the health of millions of people around the world. Inglett joined the USDA's National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria in 1967 and as lead scientist oversaw research projects leading to the creation of Trim Technologies, including the products Oatrim, Z-Trim, Nutrim and Soytrim. He is a world-renowned expert on food production science and technology and has been interviewed on the subject by every major U.S. television network, wire services and many major magazines.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

The Sports Illustrated Female Athlete of the 20th Century, Jackie Joyner-Kersee is an East St. Louis native whose center and foundation in her hometown provide educational and recreational opportunities for thousands of youth in the area. Joyner-Kersee won six Olympic medals, four of them gold, while competing in track and field events in four consecutive Olympic games. ESPN named her one of the 50 greatest athletes of all time, and she was the first woman to receive back-to-back Jesse Owens Memorial awards. Joyner-Kersee has been active for many years in numerous organizations that promote opportunities for youth and sports excellence. She is the author of "A Kind of Grace: The Autobiography of the World's Greatest Female Athlete" and co-author of "A Woman's Place is Everywhere."

Dr. Stephanie Pace Marshall

The founding president of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora, Dr. Stephanie Pace Marshall is an international leader, speaker and writer on the issues of educational innovation, schooling redesign, gifted education, and mathematics and science education. Marshall was chosen to lead the Mathematics and Science Academy when it was formed in 1985, and the institution has since become a model for similar educational institutions around the globe. She has garnered many honors and recognitions, including these: one of the nation's most innovative educational leaders as named by RJR Nabisco Corporation; one of North America's 100 Top School Executives as named by Executive Educator Magazine and the National School Boards Association; one of the 10 most powerful women in education listed by the Chicago Sun-Times; and an inaugural member of Chicago Women's Today Hall of Fame, elected in 2002.

Lincoln Academy Chancellor John B. Simon of Chicago will preside over the April 30 ceremony. The traditional reception, banquet and ball will follow the ceremony.

The Lincoln Academy, unique among the 50 states, was established in 1965 to honor Illinois' most distinguished citizens, either by birth or residence, who have brought honor to the state by their achievements. Past honorees have included John Chancellor, Paul Harvey, Walter Payton, Mike Royko, Ronald Reagan, Ann Landers, Lester Crown, Gwendolyn Brooks and Roger Ebert.

[The Lincoln Academy of Illinois]