Senior Ian Empen was recognized at this year’s annual Lincoln Academy of Illinois Student Laureate ceremony, held on Oct. 18 at the University of Chicago. The academy honors seniors from four-year universities, with over 40 Augustana seniors receiving the honor since 1975.
Empen was one of 53 student laureates awarded. According to the Lincoln Academy’s website, this award highlights student leadership, service, curricular and extracurricular excellence.
Empen double majors in Geography and Psychology and is involved in many organizations on campus. He is a part of Augie Acres, Phi Mu Alpha fraternity, Chi Alpha Pi sorority, Psychology/Neuroscience Club, Augustana admissions, a Viking Mentor, the Honor Council and is involved with the Augustana Baby & Child Development Lab.
Empen said that persistence and initiative are key to his success. He said that taking responsibility for projects and maintaining consistency have helped him build connections among campus groups and enhance community-focused efforts.
“To be honored in this way means a lot,” Empen said. “I feel all the stuff I’ve been working towards on campus, people see [that] and see that kind of stuff I’m doing … I hold myself to a high standard as far as giving back to the community and being involved on campus, and I try my best at everything I do.”
Special Assistant to the President Kai Swanson said he takes the seniors with the highest GPAs and sends that list to the President’s Cabinet. Swanson said among many nominees, Empen stood out for his leadership and commitment to building community both on and off campus.
“For Ian, I think what stood out was his leadership in Augie Acres and bringing attention to things like hunger, food insecurity, but also sustainability, urban agriculture,” Swanson said.
Associate Professor of History, chair of the history department and Faculty Advisor of Augie Acres, Brian Leech, said that Empen exemplifies a true leader. As president of Augie Acres, Empen organizes events and keeps members engaged.
“His leadership has been instrumental in kind of reviving and revitalizing Augie Acres, which struggled after the pandemic,” Leech said. “[Augie Acres] has really rocketed up in terms of involvement.”
Swanson said Empen also stood out for reviving the Vocal Valentines tradition at Augustana, which had lapsed after the COVID-19 pandemic. Last February, he and other members of Phi Mu Alpha, a music fraternity, went around Augustana’s campus, delivering vocal valentines to faculty and students. The event raised money for service projects and helped rebuild a beloved campus tradition, reflecting Empen’s commitment to community.
Associate Professor of Geography and Co-Coordinator of Food Studies, as well as Augie Acres advisor, Chris Strunk, said that Empen is good at engaging students and making them excited about events.
“[Ian] certainly brings a lot of organization and motivation,” Strunk said. ”But I think the key value is that he sees a possibility of connecting with people in different parts of campus and in different parts of the Quad Cities.”
Empen said he encourages other students to take initiative and get involved on campus.
“Sometimes you just have to make the first step and push yourself outside of your comfort zone,” Empen said. “No one else is going to do it for you … you really have to be the one to take the initiative … and hold yourself accountable for making things happen.”
