IMSA President Named Lincoln Laureate; Highest State Honor
For Immediate Release, May 2005
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AURORA—Dr. Stephanie Pace Marshall, founding president of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA), is now a Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois, the highest honor the state can bestow to persons for outstanding achievement who were born or have resided in Illinois.
Dr. Marshall, a Wheaton resident, received the Order of Lincoln Medallion at a special ceremony April 30 at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville. She is one of “six world-famous Illinoisans” who was named by Governor Rod Blagojevich to receive the award.
“I am honored to be in the company of such highly esteemed individuals and am humbled to be recognized for the work I truly love to do,” said Dr. Marshall.
As noted by the Lincoln Academy, Dr. Marshall “is an international leader, speaker and writer on the issues of educational innovation, schooling re-design, gifted education, and mathematics and science education.”
She has received numerous awards and honors including being named by RJR Nabisco Corporation as one of the nation's most innovative educational leaders, one of North America's 100 Top School Executives as named by Executive Educator Magazine and the National School Boards Association, and one of the 10 most powerful women in education by the Chicago Sun-Times.
The Lincoln Academy 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 Television Journalist John Chancellor, Radio Broadcaster Paul Harvey, NFL Legend Walter Payton, Columnist Mike Royko, President Ronald Reagan, Columnist Ann Landers, Businessman/Civic Leader Lester Crown, Poet Gwendolyn Brooks, and Film Critic Roger Ebert.
The 2005 Laureates inducted with Dr. Marshall include former Sears chairman Edward Brennan, Pulitzer Prize political journalist David Broder, electrical engineer and LED pioneer Nick Holonyak, world-renowned food science expert Dr. George Inglett and Olympic gold medalist track athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee.
The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® is an internationally-recognized pioneering educational institution created by the State of Illinois to develop talent and leadership in mathematics, science and technology. IMSA's advanced residential college preparatory program enrolls 650 academically talented Illinois students in grades 10-12. Nearly 18,000 teachers and 34,000 students in Illinois and beyond have benefited from The Center@IMSA program of professional development and student enrichment. Located in Aurora in the high-tech corridor west of Chicago, IMSA® serves the people of Illinois through innovative instructional programs, public and private partnerships, policy counsel, action research, and the leadership and achievements of its graduates.