Young Alumnus Achievement Award
Honors an alumnus' significant contributions to church, vocation, and community.

2000 Recipient
Jonathan M. Young '91

Jonathan M. Young the Messiah College Alumni Association presents to you the Young Alumnus Achievement Award for serving the Lord through your commitment to your family, church, community, and vocation.

You came to the College on the heels of sustaining a spinal cord injury during a high school wrestling match. But being partially disabled didn't stop you. In addition to being an excellent student, you served in a variety of leadership positions during your college career, including a term as president of the Messiah College Student Association.

Upon graduating from Messiah College in 1991, you continued your education at the University of North Carolina, returning briefly to Grantham as an adjunct history professor several years ago. Today, as the Associate Director for Disability Outreach in the White House Office of Public Liaison - the first person with a disability to hold this position - you serve as a connector and advocate between the disability community at large and the White House. Prior to this role, you served as project director for the distinguished National Rehabilitation Hospital Research Center in Washington, DC, where you researched and wrote a history of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Jonathan, your faith, tenacity, and hard work have earned you respect and recognition from your peers, your professors, and even those in national government. In fact, in addition to being honored with the 1987 Victory of Human Spirit Award, you were recognized by former President Ronald Reagan and the Washington Post for your courage and persistence. This past January, you were honored by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce as one of Ten Outstanding Young Americans, sharing this award with notable past presidents, celebrities, and entertainers.

Your vision for helping the disability community through your vocation fits well with Messiah's mission, and, clearly, with God's heart for the world. Indeed, your commitment is exemplary to the sons and daughters of Messiah College, both past and future. We celebrate your achievements as we honor you, Jonathan M. Young, with the 2000 Young Alumnus Achievement Award.