Peyton Dahler, a senior Elementary Education major from Carlinville, Illinois, has been selected to represent Blackburn College in the 51st Annual Lincoln Academy Student Laureate class. Each year, an outstanding senior from each of the four-year degree-granting institutions of higher learning in Illinois is awarded the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award and thereby becomes a Student Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. Students are recognized for demonstrating strong leadership aptitude, exhibiting a desire to make a difference in the world through civic engagement, and displaying the characteristics of Abraham Lincoln that made him someone who inspired and transformed the world for generations.
“Receiving this award was truly a shock and an honor,” Dahler said. “I tried to show up as my best self each day, whether it was to class, work, or through my mentoring with Blackburn & Beyond. Knowing that the staff who were so dedicated to my personal development believed that I was worthy of this award is something I will carry with me for a long time. My goal as an educator is to guide my students into the best version of themselves, just like my professors did for me.”
Dahler was nominated by faculty and staff at Blackburn. They were asked to consider a deserving student “who demonstrates strong leadership aptitude, with the characteristics of Abraham Lincoln that made him someone who inspired and transformed the world for generations: integrity, courage, honesty and empathy.”
“Peyton brings a rare combination of energy, empathy, and reflection to everything she does,” one nominator said. “She connects easily with others, listens thoughtfully, and approaches her work with a genuine care that will serve her well as an educator.”
“You can always count on Peyton,” another nominator added. “Whether she’s leading campus visits, helping a classmate, or stepping in where needed, she handles every situation with enthusiasm, grace, and a strong commitment to others.”
At Blackburn, students balance academics with hands-on work experience and build strong relationships across campus. Dahler said those experiences helped prepare her to step into the classroom early.
“Because of my time in Blackburn’s Education Department, I have already started working as a full-time first-grade teacher before graduation,” Dahler said. “My three years working in the Admissions Office as the Campus Visit Coordinator also helped me grow professionally and build strong communication and management skills. Eventually, I plan to earn my master’s degree and transition into reading intervention work.”