For release: December 8, 2011
For press information, contact Gabrielle Maxey, 901/678-2843

Jan Young, executive director of the Assisi Foundation, will address graduates at the winter commencement of the University of Memphis on Saturday, Dec. 17, at FedExForum. The University will award a total of 1,549 degrees, including 38 doctorates, in two ceremonies.

 In a 10 a.m. ceremony, the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Communication and Fine Arts, the University College, and the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law will confer degrees.

At 2 p.m., Commencement will be held for the Fogelman College of Business & Economics, the College of Education, the Herff College of Engineering, the Loewenberg School of Nursing, the School of Public Health, and the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Young (BSN ’83) has had a distinguished career in education, health care, the military, and philanthropy. As executive director of The Assisi Foundation, she has overall accountability for the implementation of the foundation’s philanthropic activities, strategic direction, community relations, and staff management.

Her military service began with the U.S. Army Nursing Corps Reserves. She transferred to the Air National Guard and in 1990 received the Outstanding Air National Guard Nurse Award. In 2005 Young was promoted to the rank of brigadier general. In 2009 she was promoted to major general, the highest rank awarded to a traditional Guard member. Young currently serves as the Air National Guard liaison to the Air Education and Training Command.

In February, Young was presented with the U of M Alumni Association’s highest honor, the Distinguished Alumni Award.