by Phoebe Billups '19

Knox College student Josh Tvrdy '17 recently was named a 2016-17 Student Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois, an honor that recognizes outstanding college seniors in Illinois.

Tvrdy, a native of Tucson, Arizona, who is majoring in creative writing with a minor in religious studies, has demonstrated outstanding scholarly achievement while at Knox. He was named a Kemper Scholar as a first-year and was awarded the Hunter Trophy his junior year for achieving the highest scholastic average of any male student-athlete earning letters in two sports. For three years in a row, his cross country and track and field teams were both named Academic All-Conference, an award that recognizes student-athletes' hard work in the classroom.

In addition, he served as fiction editor of Catch, Knox's renowned literary magazine, in his sophomore and junior years.

Tvrdy also became involved with social activism on campus. He prides himself most on co-facilitating a dialogue on the difficulties of navigating intersectional, queer, and religious identity. "We didn't think anyone would show up, but we were shocked to find a full room, buzzing with energy and stories," Tvrdy says.

Tvrdy has had the opportunity to work closely with and gain mentorship from many professors in Knox's creative writing, English, environmental studies, physics, and philosophy departments. He conducted an independent research project under the guidance of Jim Thrall, Knight Distinguished Associate Professor for the Study of Religion and Culture. He examined the contemporary Christian music industry alongside Carrie & Lowell, the most recent album by Sufjan Stevens, analyzing the intersection of popular culture and religion.

Tvrdy plans to spend the next few years working for a Chicago nonprofit, while preparing to earn a master of fine arts in poetry or fiction.

The Lincoln Academy inducts one senior annually from each four-year college and university in Illinois, and one student from among the state's community colleges. In addition to designating student laureates, the Lincoln Academy honors distinguished citizens with the state's highest award, the Order of Lincoln.

(Photo at top of page: Josh Tvrdy, second from left, holds his Lincoln Laureate certificate. He is accompanied by, from left, Illinois First Lady Diana Rauner; Governor Bruce Rauner; Knox College Knight Distinguished Associate Professor for the Study of Religion & Culture James Thrall; and Stephanie Pace Marshall, chancellor of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois.)