Normal Woman Named Lincoln Laureate at Illinois State

Date: 10/18/06
Contact: Kathy Beal

Jennifer Snyder of Normal, a senior community health major and peace and conflict resolution minor at Illinois State University, is this year's recipient of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois award for scholarship and service. Students are chosen based on their commitment to education, service to the community and exemplification of the principles for which Abraham Lincoln stood.

Snyder and other student laureates will be honored at a special convocation of the Lincoln Academy on Saturday, Oct. 28, in the House of Representatives Chambers at the State Capitol Building in Springfield. Each student laureate will receive a Lincoln Academy medallion from Governor and Academy President Rod Blagojevich and a check for $150.

Snyder is in the Honors program at Illinois State University and is the recipient of a National and Illinois Spina Bifida Association Scholarship and an Illinois State Dean's Scholarship. Snyder served as an office assistant and a research assistant in the Health Sciences department and on the staff of the Appalachia Service Project in Tennessee. She is a member of Eta Sigma Gamma, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Golden Key Scholar, Illinois Society of Public Health Education and Illinois Association of Physical and Health Education, Recreation and Dance.

Snyder also has been involved in community organizations while at Illinois State, including Wesley Foundation/Lutheran Student Movement, Omega Chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma, First United Methodist Church youth counselor and the Baby Fold. She intends to pursue a master's degree in public health and gerontology and will serve an internship for the Spina Bifida Association of Illinois.