Arkansas student recognized by White House

Washington, DC – On Thursday, March 15th, the White House will honor Julia Lyon from the University of Arkansas as one of five young leaders being recognized as Champions of Change for outstanding leadership on their campus. Last fall, the White House announced the launch of the Campus Champions of Change Challenge. After reviewing a record number of entries, fifteen Challenge finalists were announced and the public chose the top five projects they think best embody the President’s goal to win the future. In addition to being invited to the White House, these five Campus Champions of Change will have the opportunity to work with mtvU, and MTV Act to create short features about their projects that will air on mtvU and be featured on MTV.com.

“Young people have always been at the forefront of movements of change. I am so proud of these students and their campuses for their innovative work to improve communities all across America,” said President Obama. “I hope their brilliant example will inspire Americans of all ages to come together to support an America that’s built to last.”

The Champions of Change program was created as a part of President Obama’s Winning the Future initiative. Each week, a different sector is highlighted and groups of Champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community leaders, are recognized for the work they are doing to serve and strengthen their communities.

To learn more about our Champions go to www.whitehouse.gov/champions and to watch the event live, go to www.whitehouse.gov/live at 2:50pm ET on March 15th.

Julia Lyon, Full Circle, University of Arkansas
Julia Lyon serves on the University of Arkansas’ Volunteer Action Center Board as the Full Circle Campus Food Pantry Chairman. The Volunteer Action Center Board, a program of the Center for Community Engagement, launched a student food pantry in February 2010 to serve the needs of students on and off campus who are in personal crisis and do not have the financial resources to meet all of their nutritional needs. Julia was involved in starting Full Circle, and continues to dedicate her time to developing the program. Julia will graduate this May with a degree in Biology and begin medical school at UAMS next fall.