Knox College student Zoe Pav ’26 has been named the Knox College 2025-26 Student Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois. This honor recognizes outstanding collegiate seniors in the state. 

The award acknowledges achievements in both curricular and extracurricular activities, as well as contributions to the betterment of society. Every year, one senior from each of Illinois’ four-year colleges and universities, along with one student from all of Illinois’ community colleges, is selected for the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award, recognizing them as Student Laureates of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois. According to the Academy's website, "In the spirit of Lincoln, Student Laureates are honored for their leadership and service in the pursuit of the betterment of humanity and for overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities." 

“I learned [the award] was for civic engagement, and it made me reflect on how much I have been engaged in my community at Knox and Galesburg in general, so it is truly a big honor to be recognized,” Pav said.

Pav hails from Washington, D.C. She is majoring in biochemistry and minoring in political science and chemistry. In addition to her academic pursuits, Pav plays on the Knox College women's volleyball team, serves as an EMT, and tutors in the Umbeck Science-Mathematics Center Red Room. She was also one of six Knox College students to participate in the JUMP Medical Immersion Program at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria’s (UICOMP) JUMP Trading and Simulation Center this summer. 

Among her achievements, Pav received the Russell P. Sutton Organic Chemistry Award. She was named to the All-Academic Midwest College Conference for her outstanding academic performance during the 2024-25 academic year. Pav was also named to the Knox College Dean’s List every term since arriving on campus in fall 2022 (nine times). She is a member of the President’s Student Advisory Council, a Vovis Center student employee, organic chemistry teacher assistant and tutor, and a member of Chi Alpha Sigma.

"Zoe embodies the qualities of a student laureate: academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to serving others," Knox College President C. Andrew McGadney said. "She is a remarkable individual who has made significant contributions to our school and community."

With her final year at Knox ahead of her, Pav does not plan on suffering from senioritis. A busy schedule with plenty of goals highlights the rest of her undergrad experience at Knox.

“It was really difficult picking classes this year because there are so many things I want to do,” she said. “I want to feel like I wrapped things up here, that I put a nice bow on things. Getting to a comfortable place and knowing what my next goal is, that’s what I want to do.”

Pav is the daughter of Anton Pav ’89 and Susanna Fajardo ’91, both of whom graduated from Knox. Her family legacy at the College also includes her grandfather, Peter Pav ’60, and her uncle, Michael Pav ’87. 

“I came here on a visit before committing and discovered that this is somewhere I wanted to be,” Pav said. "I also like the idea of a small town, something that is a bit smaller than the places I grew up, something more charming.”

The 2025 award includes a $1,000 stipend, a certificate signed by the President of the Lincoln Academy, Governor JB Pritzker, and the Chancellor of the Lincoln Academy Todd Shapiro. Pav will receive the Lincoln Medallion, which she can wear at Commencement to signify her status as a Student Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois. An honorary ceremony for all Student Laureates will take place in Chicago on Saturday, October 18, at the David Rubenstein Forum on the campus of the University of Chicago.