IU club celebrates Lincoln's legacy

President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865, but his presence is still prominent here on IU’s campus through the ABE at IU club.

The new club allows students to come together in a literary-society type atmosphere to discuss political and social issues that channel the thoughts and ideas of America’s 16th president.

The club features officer positions modeled after real historical figures such as Ulysses S. Grant and William H. Seward.

The club’s inspiration came from junior Aasiya Mirza, also known as President Abraham Lincoln. Mirza always had a strong liking and fascination for Lincoln, so she decided to contact the Bicentennial Commission to see how she could get a club started on IU’s campus in his honor.  

“(It’s) amazing ... to explore Abraham Lincoln in so many ways, including the achievements and issues he tackled throughout his life while still providing both an educational and fun experience,” Mirza said.

The club meets twice a month on Saturdays in the Lincoln Room of the Lilly Library and is set up as a discussion channeling the literary societies of the 1830s, where events are discussed that relate to Lincoln and his work in America’s government.

“Expect to be engaged in discussion instead of just listening,” said freshman and General-in-Chief Ulysses S. Grant, Ronak Shah.

Shah said the ABE at IU club provides a less competitive form to discuss issues, and students are urged to bring up any topic of interest that might relate to Lincoln or the time of his presidency. Shah also said that unlike other clubs on IU’s campus that might have national representation, ABE at IU is designed to be what the students make it.

Some of the events the club put on during the month were the Lincoln-Douglas Debates and a panel discussion with Pulitzer Prize-winner Charlie Savage and professor Michael Gossberg.

While Mirza’s main purpose for the club was to honor and celebrate Lincoln, she said ABE at IU is an educational experience where IU students can come and discuss any topic that is of interest to them.

Said sophomore and club Secretary of the Treasury Hugh McCulloch, John Gillard:
“ABE at IU is a great way to surround yourself with people who like his work and his life while still being a way to bring students together who have diverse interests and enjoy each other’s company.”