As the nation celebrates Abraham Lincoln's birthday on Feb. 12, Knox College student Rachel Janis is celebrating that people are buying the Knox-inspired t-shirt she created that features a squirrel wearing Lincoln's iconic stovepipe hat.

A sophomore from Naperville, Illinois, Janis began work on the design during her first year on campus. "I wanted to do something for Knox," says Janis, explaining her choice of three popular Knox images. "Lincoln is important to the College" -- site of a Lincoln-Douglas Debate -- "plus squirrels are everywhere, and there's a purple K with Prairie Fire flames."

Janis produced the shirts through an on-line vendor. So far she's sold several dozen -- some to friends and others on consignment at the Knox College Bookstore. Priced at $14, not including shipping and handling, the shirt can be ordered by telephone from the Knox Bookstore at 309 341 7344.

"It sounds cliche, but it's not about the money," says Janis, who is planning on majoring in creative writing. "People buy it because they like it. That's more important to me than what I earn from it."