Radiance J. Campbell was recently named one of this year’s outstanding college students by the Lincoln Academy of Illinois.
The Lincoln Academy’s Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Awards are presented for excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities to seniors from each of the state’s four-year, degree-granting colleges and universities, and one student from the community colleges in Illinois. The Academy recognized students during the annual Student Laureate Convocation in November.
Campbell is set to graduate with honors from Illinois State in May 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and minors in women and gender studies and Latin American/Latinx studies. She plans to attend law school post-graduation.
Campbell is also the recipient of Illinois State’s most distinguished award, the Robert G. Bone Scholarship. This award is presented to undergraduate students who combine excellent academic achievement and community engagement activities on and off-campus with exceptional qualities of character and leadership. The competition for this scholarship is rigorous and Campbell was one of 14 students to receive this award for the 2019-2020 academic year.
During her time at Illinois State, Campbell completed multiple impressive academic achievements, including conducting an IRB-approved research study on public health initiatives from a sociological perspective and working with a faculty member to transform a course curriculum to be more culturally relevant for Illinois State students.
Her success has extended outside of the classroom as a dedicated member of Gamma Phi Circus, America’s oldest collegiate circus. In Gamma Phi Circus, Campbell holds leadership roles serving as captain for both dance and bamboo, in addition to participating in the high wire act. Campbell also works with Gamma Phi Circus leadership to help them understand and work through barriers for students of color to participate.
In her academic and co-curricular spheres as well as community engagement, Campbell expresses a continual “commitment to improving the health and well-being of those who are marginalized and underserved,” shared Thomas Gerschick, associate professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.
Dean of Students John Davenport and Gerschick attended the Lincoln Student Laureate Ceremony in Springfield to celebrate Campbell’s achievement. Both have supported and encouraged her throughout her collegiate career.
For additional information on the Lincoln Laureate program, contact Erin Thomas, director of advancement and assessment for the Division of Student Affairs at (309) 438-1748.
