The Article below was published in Vol. 136, Issue 3 of the Lake Forest College Stentor on November 13, 2020.
Kacie Whitman ’21
Features Editor
When she was in high school, Uche Okeke ’21 was heavily involved in Model United Nations and spent the weekends with her church community delivering groceries and clothing to those in need. Okeke’s volunteering expanded into aiding nursing home residents in her hometown of Rockford, Illinois.
Upon attending Lake Forest College, Okeke sought to further help her community by becoming actively involved in various campus organizations. Now in her senior year, Okeke is being recognized for her civic engagement and academic excellence with the Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Award.
According to The Lincoln Academy of Illinois’ website, “each fall, an outstanding senior from each of the four-year degree-granting institutions of higher learning in Illinois is awarded the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award . . . [t]hey become Student Laureates of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois . . . [s]tudent Laureates are honored for their leadership and service in the pursuit of the betterment of humanity and for overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities.” Okeke was inducted as a Student Laureate on November 10 via a virtual ceremony. Editor’s note: The ceremony can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ym_SwSk-C0&feature=youtu.be
While pursuing a degree in economics and a double minor in history and international relations, Okeke has participated in numerous on-campus leadership positions, including the Student Government Executive Board and as an Admissions Office Student Ambassador. Okeke has also served as a Writing Center tutor, student representative on the Academic Honesty Judicial Board, and a New Student Orientation leader.
In addition to her extensive academic and extracurricular schedule, Okeke has spent a majority of her collegiate career seeking to increase representation and awareness for women and Black/indigenous/people of color (BIPOC). She notes, “I have worked to enter spaces and represent the interests and needs of [these]demographics. The work is necessary [for]bringing out vital conversations and changes on our campus.”
Okeke’s devotion to this cause is evident in her leadership as President of UMOJA, the campus African awareness group. Her significant impact on this student organization granted her the Lake Forest College “Student Organization President of the Year” award last year. Okeke’s impact has also translated to her position as an Archival and Research Intern at the Chicago History Museum.
Okeke said the Student Laureate Award serves as an encouragement that every effort, big or small, to contribute to one’s community matters greatly. “I hope to continue doing the work alongside my peers and build upon the foundation laid by those before us, in hopes that future classes will continue to push the bounds of what it means to be a Forester,” she said.
All of her accomplishments, specifically her civic engagement advocacy, have shaped Okeke’s collegiate career and will continue to be an integral part of her life post-graduation.
Editor’s note: The staff at the Stentor congratulate Uche Okeke on receiving this award!
