Olivet's Chelsea Risinger named Lincoln student laureate

2015 Nov 17

Chelsea Risinger, student body president at Olivet Nazarene University, is a 2015 recipient of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award, recognizing her as a student laureate and earning her induction into the academy.

Risinger, a senior nursing major, received the award on Saturday, Nov. 7, alongside 53 other college students in a ceremony at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois. She is the daughter of Stan and Julie Risinger of Tremont, Illlinois.

"Civic engagement, as exemplified by President Lincoln, is crucial to our democracy and the process of our government," said Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner in announcing the recipients of the award. "The young men and women receiving this recognition embody the spirit of President Lincoln through their hard work and dedication to their schools and communities."

The student laureate distinction recognizes outstanding college seniors for overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities. Risinger is a member of the Kappa Sigma chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, the honor society of nursing. This is her second academic year serving as Olivet's student body president and leader of the 38-member Associated Student Council (ASC). She served as president of her sophomore class and ASC representative for her freshman class.

"I am truly humbled to be Olivet's 2015 Lincoln laureate," Risinger said. "It is a great honor to be recognized for serving in a capacity that I love. I have found my niche in leading the Associated Student Council and pouring into the Olivet community. Serving Olivet and its students is a privilege, and I appreciate this recognition."

Risinger received the Lincoln Academy student laureate medallion, an educational grant of $1,000 and a certificate of achievement. This is the 41st year Lincoln Academy has celebrated the excellence of Illinois students.

"Chelsea is an outstanding nursing student who finds a glimmer of hope in every situation," said Professor DeAnna VanKuren of Olivet's Department of Nursing. "I have worked with Chelsea in both classroom and clinical settings. She has a Christ-filled heart and relates well with both her peers and her patients. Chelsea consistently displays a high degree of integrity, responsibility and ambition." In addition to her on-campus involvement, Risinger completed a summer internship in 2013 with Josiah Venture, a faith-based leadership organization in Central and Eastern Europe. She taught conversational English in summer camps across Slovakia and led mission trips to Slovakia in 2014 and 2015.

"Chelsea embodies the qualities of a servant leader," said Dr. Woody Webb, Olivet's vice president for student development. "She has provided outstanding leadership to the Associated Student Council. She is respected by her peers, faculty and the administration."