UNC Charlotte Honors Clay With Outstanding Young Alumnus Award?

Clay has been honored with a 2006 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award from the University of North Carolina - Charlotte. Tnmtmama from the CH uncovered this after reading Clay's blog today which mentioned him being a a UNC Charlotte "event".

The UNCC website has this paragraph about Clay and his award:

Clay Aiken is this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award. The Outstanding Young Alumnus(na) Award was established in 1996 and honors an alum who has graduated within the last ten years and who has shown exceptional service to the UNC Charlotte community and the Alumni Association.

Many people know Clay Aiken as the first runner-up from “American Idol,” but it is his dedication to children across the globe that sets him apart from others. After graduating from UNC Charlotte in 2003, Clay has embarked on a successful career both through music and writing. His first album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, and his book entitled “Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life” was a New York Times Best Seller. Apart from his music career, Clay has been an education advocate and founded the Bubel-Aiken foundation, which supports the integration of children with disabilities into the life environment of their non-disabled peers through summer camps and other initiatives. In addition, he has served as an Ambassador to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, UNICEF National Ambassador of education, and in September 2006, President George Bush appointed Clay to serve on the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities.

Congratulations Clay!

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