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

2001 Recipient
Gregory '93 & Kimberly (Carmichael '93) Thornbury

Gregory '93 and Kimberly '93 Thornbury reside in Jackson, Tennessee, with their daughter, Katherine Elizabeth. Both employed at Union University in Jackson, the Thornburys have continued traditions of scholarship, service, and leadership beyond Messiah. At Union, Kimberly has established herself as the dean of students, a remarkable achievement for her young age. Gregory is the director of the University's Carl F. H. Henry Center for Christian Leadership and assistant professor of Christian Studies. Gregory earned an M. Div. and Ph. D. from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and demonstrates his knowledge by contributing to various think tanks and authoring several books. Also a life-long learner, Kimberly expects to receive her Ph. D. from Regent University, Virginia Beach, Virginia, in May 2002.

The Thornburys engage themselves in ministry at Woodland Baptist Church, where Gregory is moderator and assistant Sunday school teacher. Kimberly also lends her time and talents to a non-profit radio station for the blind and illiterate in western Tennessee, pulling from her experience working with Messiah's WVMM. As individuals and as a family, the Thornburys have contributed much to the lives of those around them.