NIU named Nora Lindvall it’s 2011 Student Lincoln Laureate.

Lindvall, senior English and political science major, was chosen out of nine nominees as the university’s top senior Oct. 10.

The Student Lincoln Laureate is an annual honor awarded to the top senior from each Illinois university or four-year college, both public and private.

“It is a huge privilege and an honor to represent the students of NIU in this capacity,” Lindvall said. “It has been personally fulfilling and has made my family very proud. I look forward to continuing to serve this university for the rest of my time here and while I’m an alum[na].”

Lindvall is involved in nine university committees. She is the president and co-founder of the Student Advisory Council on Learning Outcomes. She is also the director of governmental affairs for the Student Association.

Michael Clark, assistant professor of political science, wrote the recommendation letter for Lindvall from the Political Science Department.

“Nora has worked incredibly hard on various committees and councils which help improve the lives of students on campus,” Clark said. “She also actively represents NIU as a student-athlete [as] a member of the NIU triathlon team.”

Clark said he’s had Lindvall in class and worked with her in independent studies.

“Nora is a thoroughly deserving winner, and it’s been a pleasure to advise her on her independent studies so far,” Clark said. “Basically, she’s very organized, very busy and wants to make the most of her time here at NIU, and she is most definitely doing that.”

In addition to being an active student, Lindvall has spent her fair share of time studying and doing research abroad. She has been to 19 countries and can speak French, German, Swedish, some Dutch, and some Italian. Lindvall also interned in Brussels, Belgium for the vice president of European Parliament, Libor Roucek, this summer.

She is currently working on a research project involving her international experiences.

“I am particularly pleased [with Nora’s] efforts in the USOAR program,” Clark said. “Nora sought me out, we developed an idea for her to research and she went out and found the money to help assist with that research.”

Earning the title was important to Lindvall for personal reasons as well, she said. For her, it is a way to memorialize her mother.

“Honoring my late mother’s memory has been instrumental in my college career,” said Lindvall. “She taught me so many valuable life lessons, and I try to keep her memory alive in everything that I do.”

Lindvall will represent NIU and be recognized as a Student Lincoln Laureate at the Student Laureate Convention Nov. 5 in Springfield.