News and Notes

The Order of Lincoln was awarded on April 13 to Dr. Timothy Johnson, longtime friend of Pietisten. The award was given by the Lincoln Academy at its annual convocation held this year on the campus of Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. Dr. Johnson is the former medical editor for ABC News, and has also published the book “Finding God in the Questions,” which recounts his experiences in medicine, journalism and ministry. He graduated from Augustana College in 1958, and thereafter was ordained as a minister in the Evangelical Covenant Church.

When asked about how it felt to return to his alma mater to receive this award, Dr. Johnson told campus news, “I was born and raised in Illinois, I went to school in Illinois, I still have corn soil in my heart, and so to come back for an award that honors the name of Abraham Lincoln and is being held on the Augustana campus is really a double barrel blessing.”

The Order of Lincoln honors individuals “whose contributions to the betterment of humanity have been accomplished in Illinois, or, whose achievements have brought honor to the state because of their identity with it, whether by birth or residence, or whose dedication to the principles of public service inspire all Illinoisans to respond to what Lincoln called ‘the better angels of our nature.’” It is considered the state’s highest award.