SXU’s Darryl Brown named Lincoln Academy Student Laureate

Saint Xavier University student Darryl Brown, Jr., recently received a Student Laureate Award from the Lincoln Academy of Illinois in honor of his extraordinary curricular and extracurricular achievements.

Brown, a senior triple majoring in biology, chemistry, and Spanish who hails from Matteson, Ill., was honored at the annual Student Laureate Convocation on Sat., Nov. 3 at the Old State Capitol State Historic Site in Springfield.

"I really appreciate everything that Saint Xavier has done for me and I am honored to represent Saint Xavier as this year’s Lincoln Laureate," Brown said. "The ceremony at the state capitol taught me a lot more about Abraham Lincoln. While I feel familiar with some of his accomplishments, some of his failures were highlighted. I think that this helped illustrate that most successful people are not born; rather they push through the struggles to achieve their goals."

Student Laureate Awards are presented for excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities to seniors from each of the four-year, degree-granting colleges and universities in Illinois. At the Student Laureate Convocation, each honoree received a Student Laureate Medallion, along with an honorarium check and certificate of achievement. This marked the 38th year that students have been honored by the Academy.

Brown maintains an excellent GPA and serves as a laboratory assistant in the Chemistry Department and as a Supplemental Instruction Leader for Organic Chemistry. He also is involved with undergraduate research in biochemistry and has presented locally and regionally.

Brown has been heavily involved in the Student Government Association for five years, serves as a Resident Assistant, and is a member of the National Biology Honor Society Beta Beta Beta and the American Chemical Society. Additionally, he volunteers with LaRabida Children’s Hospital, serves as an intern at Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center and Health Center, and attended a 2010 service trip to volunteer at Global Medical Brigades in Honduras.

"As a staff person who has worked with Darryl for four years as a Resident Assistant, I was incredibly proud of all that he has accomplished," SXU Assistant Director of Residence Education for Residence Life Rae Joyce Baguilat said. "I have seen him set and reach his goals in life and at Saint Xavier. I have seen him not only overcome obstacles but help others to learn from his mistakes and help them overcome their obstacles. He has been a great role model to many of his residents and fellow coworkers."

Brown plans to attend medical school next fall. Though he is unsure what specialty he would ultimately like to pursue, he knows he would like to work in an urban setting – hopefully at an academic medical center where he can incorporate clinical medicine and research.