Spartan student-athlete Riley Doggett was selected as Aurora University's 2026 Student Laureate by the Lincoln Academy of Illinois and was recognized  among top students representing Illinois' colleges and universities during a special ceremony hosted by The Lincoln Academy of Illinois Saturday, October 24 at the University of Illinois Springfield. 

The Lincoln Academy of Illinois selects one student from each four-year university in Illinois to receive the award in honor of their role of leadership and curricular and extracurricular activities that echo Abraham Lincoln's morals of "excellence, service and honor."

Doggett has been an exceptional student during her time at Aurora University, maintaining a 4.0 while majoring in physical education. She not only engages in the classroom, but is active on campus through various student organizations, serving as a captain and leadership council of the AU women's basketball team, Executive Board of the AU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and was selected as a student representative for the Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference at the NCAA Convention. Doggett was instrumental in the participation of the NACC "Cans Across the Conference" where as a department collected a record nonperishable items to donate to the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry and assisted in increasing total number of blankets donated to Waterford Place in Aurora during Project Linus. 

"I am truly grateful to be a recipient of this award. I did not realize the magnitude of this honor, but after being in Springfield with so many amazing people who have truly helped people, inspired movements, and changed lives, I now realize how much of an opportunity I have," said Doggett. "It serves as a reminder of how I want to change, inspire, and better my community. I was able to speak with leaders in various roles from a Supreme Court Justice member, former Governors and Academic Scholars. I leave this experience feeling inspired, grateful, and motivated to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others."

Doggett and her Spartan women's basketball teammates open the 2026-2027 season on Friday, November 6 when they travel to Principia College. Opening tip is slated for 5:30 p.m. in Elsah, Illinois..