Huber recognized for passion to mobilize education through Lincoln perspective
Applied communication studies and philosophy double major senior Corey Huber has been awarded as a student laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois.
Applied communication and philosophy major senior Corey Huber and Associate Dean Larry Lafond. Photo courtesy of Larry LaFond
The award honors excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities, and is given to one outstanding senior from each of the state’s four-year, degree-granting colleges and universities, according to Associate Dean Larry LaFond.
In a ceremony in Springfield last Saturday, Huber received a Student Laureate Medallion, a $1,000 educational grant and a certificate of achievement. This is the 40th year this academy has celebrated students’ excellence in Illinois.
His passion for education, his involvement on campus activities as a student leader, and his collaboration as a mentor and a tutor are some of the initiatives that according to Huber may have made him deserving of this recognition
LaFond said the Lincoln Laureate winner is selected by the university after a review of all applicants by the deans of the College and Schools. According to LaFond, Huber was nominated by the College of Arts and Sciences on the basis of his outstanding academic record, strong recommendations by faculty, and a powerful personal statement that expressed how he both identified with and found inspiration from aspects of Abraham Lincoln’s story.
“Corey’s work at SIUE has demonstrated his concern not simply for academic credentials, but reveals also an impassioned desire to use the skills he gains in the service of others,” LaFond said. “He cares deeply about social equality, social justice and helping those who have been silenced within our society rediscover their voices.”
Huber said in the future he wants to teach and research applied communication at the university level.
“When people ask me what I want to do with my applied communication studies and philosophy degrees, I tell them, ‘I’m already doing it,’” Huber said. “I feel like I’m already doing this in my tutoring position and by being a student leader in the classroom.”
Applied communication professor Zach Schaefer, who had Huber as a student, said Corey is a model student and sets the bar high for himself and for others.
“He knows how to disagree without being disagreeable and is always looking for ways to expand and improve his knowledge,” Schaefer said. “I never had Lincoln as a student, but if I did, I would expect that he would perform similarly to Mr. Corey Huber.”
“Like Abraham Lincoln, I feel as though I have taken ownership of my own education in pursuit of my passion. Similarly, it is from my own sense of justice that I strive for human equality. Currently, there is not a war waging over slavery in America. However, there is a cause worth fighting for. That is, liberty of the tongue, helping the voiceless have a voice, and making sure those voices are heard.”
Filed Under: General CAS Stories • Philosophy • Speech Communication
