Shariq M. Zaman has been named one of this year’s recipients of the Laureate Award from The Lincoln Academy of Illinois, due to his overall success as an engaged student, active citizen, and scholar. Zaman also was recognized by the Illinois State University Board of Trustees at their February 16, 2024, meeting.
Zaman graduate with honors from Illinois State in December 2023, with a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and a minor in biological sciences. He aspires to be a physician and plans to attend medical school.
Last year, he also was awarded the most prestigious university-wide honor bestowed upon undergraduate students, the Bone Scholarship, named in honor of the late Robert G. Bone, president of Illinois State University from 1956-1967. This award is presented to undergraduate students who combine excellent academic achievement and community engagement activities on and off-campus with exceptional qualities of character and leadership. The competition for this scholarship is rigorous, and Zaman was recognized as one of 14 Robert G. Bone Scholars for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Zaman also received ISU’s Presidential Scholarship, is in the Honors Program, conducted research in the biochemistry lab, serves as a teaching assistant, and was accepted into the prestigious Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) at the Medical College of Wisconsin in 2022.
Beyond his academic successes, Zaman has contributed positively to student life at Illinois State and the local community. Zaman started his college career during the COVID-19 pandemic. The student organizations he wanted to join were fledgling. Through his leadership roles with each group, he reignited interest and membership in the Muslim Student Association (MSA) and the ISU Table Tennis organization. Zaman also set a goal to revamp MSA and make it a hub for Islamic and cultural awareness on campus. He is committed to inviting others into both organizations, regardless of background, beliefs, or skill level.
He also volunteers at the Islamic Center of McLean County as a teacher and youth ambassador and believes all these experiences are shaping him to be a compassionate and inclusive leader and medical professional.
