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Marini received the award during a ceremony held in Chicago, Oct. 18.
President’s Scholar Marini maintains a 3.99 GPA, leads the ÍćĹĽ˝ă˝ăaires Color Guard and actively volunteers on campus and in the community.
Marini Named Lincoln Academy Student Laureate
October 21, 2025
MACOMB, IL - -The Lincoln Academy of Illinois recognized ÍćĹĽ˝ă˝ă Honors student Julietta Marini as one of its newest Lincoln Academy Student Laureates.
Marini, a senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (SPA), with minors in American Sign Language and French, is part of the 51st Lincoln Academy Student Laureate program. The program recognizes excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities among seniors from Illinois’ four-year degree-granting institutions. Student Laureates are honored for their leadership and service in the pursuit of the betterment of humanity. Marini received the award during a ceremony held in Chicago, Oct. 18.
A recipient of WIU’s President’s Scholarship, Marini has earned a 3.99 GPA and has made the Dean’s List every semester. She is an active member of the Centennial Honors College, pursuing both general honors and honors in her major and is currently working with SPA faculty to complete her Honors Thesis in Speech Pathology and Audiology and will present her work at the Undergraduate Research Day in the Spring.
Outside the classroom, Marini has been a member of the ÍćĹĽ˝ă˝ăaires Color Guard and the ÍćĹĽ˝ă˝ăettes Dance Team. In 2024, she was named captain of the ÍćĹĽ˝ă˝ăaires Color Guard, a role she will continue through the 2025–26 academic year. As captain, she is responsible for creating and teaching choreography, mentoring her peers and fostering a supportive environment.
Marini is also a passionate volunteer and community leader. She serves as a student leader for Campus Students for Christ, leading a discipleship group, promoting events and playing piano for church services and at local nursing homes. Additionally, she contributes to the WIU Student Speech-Language Hearing Association, ÍćĹĽ˝ă˝ă’s All Volunteer Effort and the Benjamin Stephenson House, where she gives historic tours in costume.
In her nomination letter, Christopher Pynes, professor of Philosophy, described Marini as “a scholar of exceptional academic achievement, a tireless campus and community leader and an embodiment of the civic-minded virtues that this award seeks to honor.”
“Julietta’s courage to lead, her empathy for others, her integrity in thought, her grace in action and her unwavering commitment to civic good make her an ideal representative of Lincoln’s leadership legacy,” Pynes said.
Marini is currently applying to all Illinois graduate schools in hopes of continuing her education.
“I wasn’t expecting to get this award, so I am incredibly grateful and honored to be chosen as the recipient. So many people have supported me throughout my journey at WIU, including my professors, my campus ministry, my color guard coach, my friends, and my parents. I am incredibly thankful for these people in my life, and I hope to pour into other students with my remaining time here as others have poured into me,” Marini said.
For more information on WIU’s Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology program, visit wiu.edu/cofac/spa.
Posted By: University Communications, University Relations
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