University News

Lafferty Named Western Illinois' Lincoln Laureate

November 11, 2004

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MACOMB, IL - - Erin Lafferty, a Western Illinois University senior psychology major from Princeton (IL) has been has been selected as the University's recipient of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois Student Laureate Award.

Each of Western's four academic colleges nominated a student for the prestigious Lincoln Academy of Illinois Student Laureate Award, which is presented annually to an outstanding senior from each of Illinois' four-year degree-granting institutions. Student Laureates are honored for overall academic excellence and extracurricular activities.

As Western's Lincoln Laureate selection, Lafferty attended a Nov. 6 awards ceremony at the Hall of Representatives in the Old State Capitol in Springfield, where she received a certificate of achievement and a check for $150 in recognition of her outstanding achievement.

“I am extremely honored to have been selected for this award,” Lafferty said. “It is such a milestone in my academic career. I am so incredibly grateful for all the support I have received from my family, friends and professors. Without them I would not be who I am today.”

In Summer 2004 Lafferty was among an elite group of 10 collegians selected as a student fellow in the Buffalo State University Psychology Department Summer Institute, which is part of the Health Issues in Applied Experimental Life-Span Development Psychology (R25) Education Project funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

“Through the Buffalo State program I have developed and implemented a research project in which I will examine the relationship between divorce, parenting styles and college adjustment,” Lafferty said. “I hope to finish data collection and submit my work for consideration and presentation at the 2005 American Psychological Association Convention.”

Lafferty serves as a research assistant to Western psychology professors Robert Intrieri and Paige Goodwin. She has been a resident assistant to 40 first-year Western students, has served as a Student Orientation Staff leader and is currently a member of Western’s All-Volunteer Effort (WAVE) student organization and Macomb’s Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. She has earned numerous academic honors including induction into Phi Kappa Phi, Blue Key, Mortar Board and Psi Chi National Honor Society in psychology.

The 2001 Princeton (IL) High School valedictorian is the daughter of Randy Lafferty of Princeton, IL and Julie Fogarty of LaSalle, IL.

College Nominees

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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