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When Lainey Pratzner ‘25 was looking at colleges, the scholar-athlete found everything she wanted at CNU: research opportunities, a leadership program, and a nationally-ranked field hockey team.
“The more I learned about Christopher Newport, the more I wanted to attend,” she said. “The beauty of the campus and small class size were two main reasons I chose CNU. It’s rare to have opportunities to collaborate with professors and do research.”
Pratzner was recently named a Franklin-Medford Scholar by The Lincoln Forum. She is only the fourth recipient of the prestigious award, which is given to students of color who are committed to the study of Abraham Lincoln. Pratzner traveled to The Lincoln Forum’s symposium at Robert T. Lincoln’s home, Hildene, in Vermont, to accept the honor in April.
“I was really grateful to be awarded the scholarship,” said Pratzner. “The symposium was such an amazing experience.”
The award was the culmination of extensive research Pratzner conducted on the 16th president, who has figured prominently in her success at CNU.
“Lainey exemplifies what it means to be a Captain,” said Dr. Jonathan White, American Studies professor who nominated Pratzner for the honor. “She’s a star both on the athletic field and in the classroom. And she has a very strong work ethic. She’s been a wonderful research assistant over the past few years, and it is no exaggeration that would have been able to meet the deadline for my book, ‘A Great and Good Man,’ without her.”
It all started when Pratzner was a freshman and working to fulfill her liberal learning requirement. She took an American Studies class and the rest is history, so to speak.
She proceeded to enroll in every class taught by White, a nationally regarded Lincoln scholar, and quickly decided she would major in American Studies.
When White realized her passion, he convinced her to embark on research delving deep into Lincoln’s life and history. She became White’s research assistant as a junior fellow with CNU’s Center for American Studies. She went on to help White with two of his books, “New York City in the Civil War” and “A Great and Good Man: Rare, First-hand Accounts and Observations of Abraham Lincoln.”
Pratzner’s life path began far away from campus, in Hunan, China, where she was abandoned in an orphanage due to China’s one-child policy. She was adopted by an American couple, both of whom were in the Air Force and stationed at the Pentagon. Her parents also adopted a second Chinese baby. Pratzner and her sister were raised in Northern Virginia.
Not only did Pratzner decide to become a Captain, so did her sister, Sierra ‘27.
Pratzner has made her mark both on the Center for American Studies and on the field hockey team. A standout player all four years, she is best known for scoring one of the most memorable goals in program history.
Pratzner landed the winning shot in the 65th minute in overtime to win a key match during the NCAA Sweet 16 last year.
The research opportunities that initially drew Pratzner to campus surpassed her expectations, adding depth and direction to her experience and helping forge her career path.
Last summer, she was a Summer Scholar, working full-time with White on his research.
“For the entire month of June, she and I sat across the desk from one another transcribing, editing, annotating, and proofing letters and diaries about Lincoln,” White said. “Her initiative and creativity were extraordinary.”
After graduating, Pratzner will stay at CNU to earn her Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT). She hopes to pass on to her students her love of Lincoln lore and penchant for history.
“It has allowed me to explore areas of interest in ways that will impact how I teach my future students,” she said. “It’s important to humanize historical figures when teaching children who often find it difficult to relate to larger-than-life figures from American history. Abraham Lincoln is certainly well known, but students would likely find his childhood, family, personality, morals and growth much more compelling.”