As the founder of the Lake Forest College Commuter Student Organization and continued advocate for people with Crohn’s disease, Bain has become a leader on and off campus. She was also recently selected as one of Glamour magazine’s Top Ten College Women in 2011.

Bain, a communications major and politics minor, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age 11 and has since helped draft a law that has been passed in 12 states that mandates anyone with a medical emergency must be allowed access to a restroom. She has recently worked as an intern in Washington, DC, at the United States Department of Justice, helping to enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

The November 5 ceremony recognized the top student from each college and university in Illinois. The Lincoln Academy’s 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. This event marks the 37th year that students have been honored by the Academy.

“These students have exhibited a personal commitment to excel as seen by their remarkable academic accomplishments,” said Thomas S. Johnson, Chancellor of the Lincoln Academy, who added, “They serve as role models to other Illinois students. With hard-working and dedicated young leaders such as these, Illinois and the rest of the nation can look forward to a bright future.”

The Lincoln Academy, unique among the 50 states, was established 47 years ago to honor Illinois’ most distinguished citizens with the state’s highest award, the Order of Lincoln.