Olivet honors Matt Reed of Plainfield, Indiana, as outstanding male graduate

2017 May 12

During the 104th Commencement on May 6, Olivet Nazarene University presented the Robert M. Milner Award to Matt Reed, the outstanding male graduate in the Class of 2017. He is from Plainfield, Indiana, and is the son of Gordon and Michelle Reed.

This award - named for a Nazarene minister who is father and grandfather to several Olivet alumni - goes to a male student who exemplifies the highest standard of excellence in character, scholarship achievement and contribution to extracurricular activities.

Reed graduated with B.A. degrees in political science and Spanish. While at Olivet, he served as senior class president. He studied abroad and received the International Studies and Business Certificate from the University of Salamanca in Salamanca, Spain. He volunteered with the Kankakee County (Illinois) Teen Court, and did Spanish-English interpretation and translation work for parent-teacher conferences in local Kankakee County schools.

For his internships, he worked at the Victims Assistance Department, Hendricks County (Indiana) Prosecutor's Office and at the Department of Local Government Finance, State of Indiana. He will be attending law school at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in downtown Indianapolis as one of only two recipients in its Kennedy Scholars Program for the Class of 2020.

"Matt is a gifted scholar who has distinguished himself both inside and outside the classroom," said Dr. David Van Heemst, mentor for Reed's research project and chair of the Department of History and Political Science. "Beyond his intellectual gifts, Matt possesses a radiating faith. I've been thankful for his willingness to encourage his peers over the past few years. It will be exciting to see what he'll accomplish for Christ and His kingdom."

"Matt devoted himself to the Spanish major in order to become a linguistically and culturally competent speaker," said Dr. Nancy Bonilla, chair of the Department of Modern Languages. "We are very proud of Matt in how he has already used his talents to serve God and others."