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Julia Remes, addressing the convention during "The Road to the White House Starts at Western Illinois University" Mock Presidential Election
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Julia Remes Named WIU's Student Laureate in Lincoln Academy of Illinois

October 30, 2007

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MACOMB, IL - - Julia Remes (Arden Hills, MN), a member of the Western Illinois University Centennial Honors College majoring in political science with a pre-law minor, was selected as the University's recipient of the 2007 Lincoln Academy of Illinois Student Laureate Award.

The prestigious Lincoln Academy of Illinois Student Laureate Award is presented annually to an outstanding senior from each of Illinois' four-year degree-granting institutions, to honor them for overall academic excellence and extracurricular activities.

Remes, the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) nominee, and Rick Hardy, political science department professor and chair, attended the Oct. 27 Student Laureate Award Ceremony in the Hall of Representatives Chamber at the Old State Capitol in Springfield. Remes received the Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Medallion, a certificate of achievement and a check for $150 in recognition of her outstanding achievement. She also participated in a luncheon, hosted by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, at the Executive Mansion.

In addition to her advanced studies, Remes is a fourth-year goalkeeper on the Westerwinds intercollegiate soccer team; a participant and leader in academic organizations; and a volunteer in service projects on campus and in the Macomb community.

This semester, she also took on the responsibility of student coordinator for Western's "The Road to the White House" mock presidential election (http://roadtowhitehouse.wiu.edu), scheduled for Oct. 23, 25, 30 and Nov. 1 and 5. In that role she contacted and organized student campaign managers and assisted with the administration of the simulations.

"This was a chance for me to help Western Illinois University and its students, the political science department and to show myself what I could accomplish," Remes said.

Athletic competition is also important to Remes.

"At Western Illinois University, I am fulfilling my dreams to play the highest level of soccer. Not only have I succeeded, but my freshman class (Fall 2004)…brought about a significant improvement to the women's soccer program," Remes said. "[We] have gone to the conference tournament and have had the best two seasons in history. I am honored to think I was a part of this experience.

"My teammates and I also seek to change the community. We spend hours off the soccer field, bettering the local community and ourselves," Remes added. "I chose this program for this reason. I want to build myself not only as a soccer player and student, but also as a person."

Included in the more than 700 hours of community service Remes and the Westerwinds soccer team completed in the 2006-2007 academic year was volunteering with Macomb's Big Brothers Big Sisters, tutoring local grade school children (Elisha Project) and working on campus beautification projects.

Remes is the president of Western's chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha: National Political Science Honor Society and she served as a student council member (2006-2007) for Western's College of Arts and Sciences. In Spring 2007, Remes served an internship in the McDonough County Public Defender's office.

"I hope [all of] this can lead me to a career in law," Remes said. "I aim to use a law degree to get involved in my community through public interest, and maybe someday become a judge. I want to use my position to hire hardworking individuals who share my enthusiasm toward service and improvement of our local communities."

Julia is the daughter of Bill and Amy Remes of Arden Hills, MN, and a 2003 graduate of Totino-Grace High School (Fridley, MN).

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