Professor, alumnus receive State of Illinois’ highest honor

Northwestern University professor John A. Rogers and alumnus John “Mac” McQuown ’57 received the 2021 Order of Lincoln, the State of Illinois’ highest honor for professional achievement and public service.

Called “Lincoln Laureates,” members of the Order of Lincoln are distinguished Illinois residents whose work uplifts communities around the state. An acclaimed engineer, Rogers was selected for his pioneering biomedical technologies, which are poised to transform medical care. A financial industry expert, McQuown was recognized for his work in sustainable farming, inspired by his boyhood years on his uncle's farm in Northern Illinois. McQuown invites learners from all around the globe to study at his Stone Edge Farm Estate Vineyards & Winery, which employs solar energy, a microturbine and hydrogen fuel cell technology to generate energy, reuse water and create fuel for zero-emission vehicles.

Rogers and McQuown officially accepted the honor on Saturday, Nov. 6 at the Lincoln Laureates’ 57th annual convocation ceremony at the Chicago History Museum. Along with six other honorees, they joined a cohort of more than 350 distinguished Illinois residents who have joined the Order of Lincoln over the past five decades.