Making OC home: Scott and Sonya Young recognized for impact on campus

An Edmond couple is being honored for the love and care they have poured in to Oklahoma Christian University throughout the years.

Although Scott and Sonya Young are not graduates of Oklahoma Christian, the couple is receiving the Distinguished Honorary Alumni award because of their extensive involvement with the university.

“We are very humbled and honored to be able to receive this award,” Scott Young said. “We love this school and the students here. We love to be involved with whatever we can and it’s crazy to get an award for something that you just love to do. We are just doing what we enjoy doing and we are very thankful to be recognized for simply doing what we love.”

Sonya has worked in the Student Life office since 2008 as Dean of Students Neil Arter’s, administrative assistant, and Scott often leads worship during chapel.

The couple said they love being a part of Oklahoma Christian and have always had a strong love and bond for this university.

“Oklahoma Christian has always been a special place for us and we have known people here forever which makes it even more special,” Sonya said. “Scott was a youth minister in Ada, Oklahoma, for 18 years and then Memorial Road asked him to take the worship minister position there and we were both very excited about this new opportunity.”

Arter works closely with the Youngs and said they naturally fit in the Oklahoma Christian community.

“Scott and Sonya are really a unique mix because the day they arrived in Edmond they immediately knew they were going to be involved on campus,” Arter said. “They just knew that was a part of why they were coming here was to be around people and impact them. From day one it was obvious they were meant to be here and it is awesome for the OC students because they automatically started pouring their lives into what they do here on campus.”

Arter said one of the reasons the couple is deserving of this award is because of their ability to relate well to individuals of all ages.

“First of all, they are ageless,” Arter said. “They relate to people so well and their ability to do this is so unique. They are both natural ministers and can read people and notice the ones that even fall through the cracks and need that extra attention and I love that about them.”

This award will be presented to Scott and Sonya Young Nov. 5 at the Alumni Banquet.