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www.wifr.com/content/news/Rockford-natives-receive-the-states-highest-award-481848191.htmlPaywall again - here is text but there are also fantastic photos - but we have to wait if Emily or someone elese make them available
www.rrstar.com/news/20180505/illinois-best-of-best-honored-at-lincoln-academy-ceremony-in-rockfordIllinois' 'best of the best' honored at Lincoln Academy ceremony in Rockford
Adam Poulisse
By
Staff writer
Posted May 5, 2018 at 10:26 PM Updated May 5, 2018 at 11:59 PM
ROCKFORD — The co-founder of YouTube, a legendary Chicago Bear — and a local piano prodigy named Emily Bear — are among this year’s class of inductees into The Order of Lincoln, Illinois’ highest honor for professional achievement and public service.
The eight Illinois natives were honored Saturday at the Coronado Performing Arts Center during the 54th annual Laureate Convocation, which was hosted by The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. Two Rockfordians were honored as the ceremony returned to Forest City for the first time in 47 years — Bear, and Bergstrom Inc. Chairman David Rydell.
At 16, Bear is the youngest laureate ever inducted by The Lincoln Academy, which was established in 1964.
“Being held to the standard of (Abraham) Lincoln is about as hard as it gets for a 16-year-old,” Bear told the audience during her speech which elicited laughs. Bear graduated from Guilford High School last year and now lives in Los Angeles.
Rydell, who lives in Rockford, said, “I don’t know if there are any words I can come up with that would adequately (describe) how I feel inside. Anything I say would fall short.”
The other honorees were:
— Dick Butkus, Hall of Fame Chicago Bears linebacker from 1965 to 1973.
— Steven Shih Chen, co-founder and chief technology officer of YouTube.
— The Rev. Michael Garanzini, a Jesuit educator who was president of Loyola University Chicago from 2001 to 2015.
— Mellody Hobson, president of Ariel Investments, a Chicago-based firm that is one of the largest African-American-owned money management and mutual fund companies in the country.
— Edward McMillan, president and CEO of Purina Mills.
— Louis Philipson, professor of medicine and pediatrics in the section of endocrinology diabetes and metabolism at the University of Chicago, and a world-renowned authority on diabetes mellitus.
Butkus and Chen did not attend the ceremony. Butkus’ youngest son Matt accepted the award on his father’s behalf.
“I think I know my dad pretty well,” Matt Butkus said. “So I can safely say that if he were standing in this place, at this moment, he would be shaking at his knees.
“If he were here, you would probably witness a quiet, restrained, respectful and deeply sincere expression of thanks.”
Chen thanked The Lincoln Academy in a written statement read by academy Chancellor Stephanie Pace Marshall.
The elegant event drew hundreds of people who showed up in their red-carpet best. The ceremony was held in Rockford for the first time in decades, in part, because city officials suggested that it return this year.
“It’s been a long time,” said Julie Kellner, executive director of The Lincoln Academy. ”(The city) was very interested in having us back.”
The laureates’ friends and loved ones made up much of the audience.
Sister Jean Dolores-Schmidt, the chaplain for the Loyola University Chicago men’s basketball team who gained international fame during this year’s NCAA basketball tournament, was in the audience to support Garanzini.
Hobson’s husband, George Lucas, the creator of the “Star Wars” movie franchise also was there to support his wife.
McMillan joked that he had several rows of family members in the audience to support him. While he didn’t have quite that many, a group of them gathered in a VIP area before the convocation began.
“It’s incredibly humbling to be part of something this special,” McMillan’s son Kyle McMillan said. “There’s a lot of history and heritage behind this world-class award.”
In addition to receiving the Order of Lincoln, Bear, at the end of the ceremony, gave a world-premiere performance of “And Forever Free,” an ode to the American spirit that she composed.
Bear’s family came from all over the country to see her induction and her performance.
“I’m thrilled,” said Merle Langs, her grandmother who still lives in Rockford. “This is very special because she’s being treated as an adult. A child has never received this award before.”
For many Rockford residents, it was a chance to hear Bear perform in her hometown.
“It’s another thing that puts Rockford on the map,” said Patrick Dohm.
Rockford Symphony Orchestra Music Director Steven Larsen debuted “Shall Long Endure,” his composition that alludes to President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. It was performed as the laureates entered and exited the theater.
Gov. Bruce Rauner, who is president of The Lincoln Academy, acknowledged the laureates after their remarks to the audience.
“I feel very humbled; these are the best of the best,” Rauner said of the laureates. “Every one of you has made a massive difference in my life and my family’s life.”"