Adin Fleischer honored as Lincoln Academy Student Laureate
Published: June 20, 2022
Greenville University’s Adin Fleischer was among the students honored by the Lincoln Academy of Illinois as a Student Laureate for 2021.
Each year, The Lincoln Academy of Illinois honors outstanding senior college students from each of the four-year, degree-granting colleges and universities in the state. One student representative is chosen for all the state’s community colleges. In the spirit of Lincoln, Student Laureates are honored for their leadership and service on campus and beyond in the pursuit of the betterment of humanity, and for overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities. This marked the 47th annual naming of Student Laureates. Due to the pandemic, no in-person ceremonies were held. GU President Suzanne Davis presented Adin with the award on campus (pictured above).
A theology major from Carlinville, Illinois, Adin serves as residence life staff of Joy and Janssen Halls. He has served as part of the University’s Pursuit worship band and on its Vespers executive team. He also enjoys participating in the GU improv group Joyous Chaos and playing in the Greenville Ultimate Frisbee League.
“Adin is an exceptional student and community member,” says Aubrey McClain, theology professor and Adin’s academic advisor. “He is academically stellar and brings a maturity to class discussions and our larger department that enhances everyone else’s experience. Adin embodies the University’s best characteristics and historic commitments.”
Student Laureates are selected by their respective colleges and universities. They exhibit exceptional attributes in leadership and desire to make a difference in the world through civic engagement. Student Laureates are selected based on overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities.
Taking into consideration faculty recommendations, GU staff nominated Adin for the Student Laureate honor
“It was especially humbling to hear what faculty and staff that I look up to had to say and the ways they were blessing and affirming me,” Adin says. “I’m encouraged to look at the award as a marker of the growth that I’ve undergone because of the ways that Jesus has continued to lead me.”
He reminisces about the time he did not want to attend GU because so many of his family members attended. But GU checked so many of the boxes on his list and, just like many other GU students from over the years have experienced, that first visit to campus “felt right” and he could envision his future self growing and thriving here.
A challenge to change the world
Along with a certificate signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker and a $500 check, Student Laureates each receive the following challenge:
Live your life in the spirit of Abraham Lincoln, providing leadership that inspires and transforms the world. Model courage, empathy, honesty, and integrity, and spread hope and joy to a planet that desperately needs your talents and skills.
Adin plans to take on that challenge with “courage to not be the main character.”
“I’ve learned that I’ve been fortunate and privileged to be given a lot of things that I did little or nothing to deserve. Whether it was my family, my brain, my health… I think I’ve realized in my time at GU that there are so many people that don’t have those things, and those are the people I’ve seen Jesus go to and put at the center. I look at leadership through the lens of how Jesus modeled his leadership, through service.”
Adin aims to use his God-given talents and skills to lead and to spread hope and joy to marginalized and oppressed people. He plans to attend seminary, engage with local ministry, and ultimately become a pastor.
