Robert Lane’s Salute to Academic Achievement role has changed since the early days of the prestigious event.
The Southland College Prep administrator shifted from student participant to school convener. He now rounds up students from south of Chicago to attend the event that celebrates the state’s most talented students from traditionally underrepresented communities and minority groups.
“There’s been a long-running tradition of some schools bringing a minibus of students. They’re always noticeable because they go to schools with uniforms,” said Julian Parrott, University of Illinois System senior assistant vice president for academic programs and partnerships.
“It turns out Robert is a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign alumni who attended Salute to Academic Achievement years ago. Now, he puts in this additional effort every year to make sure more students get the most out of the event.”
Robust U of I System events and other interactions give students from historically underrepresented groups information and experiences to help them see how they’d fit in at U of I System universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield, as well as at the state’s other public universities.
While Chicago-area Salute to Academic Achievement returned to an in-person event this fall after COVID-19 sent it online, the system’s broader recruiting event Salute to Illinois Scholars continued as a virtual gathering. And it continued to attract about 230 high school and community college students and their supporters looking for information about all 12 of the state’s public universities.
In person or online, the tone of the two invitation-based Salute events is positive and collegial.
“The idea is we’re not there competing for students. We feel like there’s enough differentiation among the universities that we can come together and recruit and retain students in the state of Illinois,” Parrott said.
The collective goal is keeping great students in Illinois.
“This year’s turnout inspired us to consider separate events for community college students, an overlooked area of outmigration,” Parrott said, adding organizers appreciate feedback that helps make sure the Salute events continue to serve participants well. “We will follow up with surveys of high school and community college students and the university representatives.”
Parrott said Salute to Academic Achievement return to an in-person event was a success.
“We were pleased with the numbers. We had 379 students attend with their more than 340 guests, mainly family members. There certainly was an energy,” he said.
It’s not uncommon for Salute event attendees to return to connect with the next generations. In fact, Lane attended this year with his son, Robert Lane Jr.
University of Illinois Springfield student Charlotte Medina spoke at this year’s Salute to Academic Achievement.
“I had a great time and got to speak to so many new people,” she said. “The Salute to Academic Achievement event I attended was lifechanging for me, so I love to share my story.”
