Jimmy Wayne Awarded Honorary Doctorate from William Woods University

On Saturday, May 6, 2017 — foster care awareness month — Jimmy Wayne delivered William Woods University’s 2017 commencement address. Following a robust standing ovation, university president, Jahnae Barnett, presented an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters to Jimmy, in recognition of his tireless work on behalf of foster children and his exemplary contribution to society.

Jimmy’s work includes lobbying for the extension of foster care to age 21 in every state in the U. S., authoring the three-time New York Times bestselling memoir Walk To Beautiful: The Power of Love and a Homeless Kid Who Found The Way, advocacy through keynote speaking around the world on the plight of children in foster care, and his seven-month, 1,700 mile walk halfway across America to raise awareness for the 30,000 children a year who age out of foster care into homelessness.

“I’m humbled by this honor. I’d be remiss not to point to some very special people who are the reason I’m here today. I’ll start with Bea and Russell Costner, the couple who, at 75 and 79 years old, took me in when I was 16, homeless and had nothing to offer them. They changed every cell in my body and continue to inspire me to this day. Ms. Crystal Friday, my 6th-grade teacher — twice, who encouraged me to write, and Ms. Cindy Ballard, my school counselor who helped enroll me in classes the very week I moved into Bea and Russell’s home. They met me halfway, and because of them, I’m able to help others,” said Jimmy.

After the commencement ceremony President Barnett — who has been with the university for 45 years and its president for the last 27 — said, “This was the most fabulous commencement address we have ever experienced. When I looked out at the audience, I saw tears, anticipation, and guests sitting on the edges of their seats. As soon as Jimmy concluded, he received an immediate standing ovation. We’ve had some great commence speakers including Val Kilmer and President Reagan to William Shatner, but Jimmy’s was number one.”

Jimmy continues to raise awareness for children in foster care — and for the more than 30,000 who age-out of the foster care system every year — through writing, performing and speaking. To find out more about Jimmy and his awareness campaign, Project Meet Me Halfway, please visit:

http://www.projectmmh.org
https://www.jimmywayne.com
https://www.facebook.com/JimmyWayneOfficial/
https://twitter.com/JimmyWayne
https://www.instagram.com/jimmywayneofficial