ALBANY –
Jesse Schmid, a junior on the men’s golf team at The College of Saint Rose, was awarded
The Congressional Award Gold Medal in Washington, DC this past June. Today, Saint Rose President Dr. R. Mark Sullivan acknowledged Schmid in front of the entire campus community with a special presentation as part of President’s Day at the College.
The Congressional Award, a public-private partnership, established by Congress in 1979 under Public Law 96-114, is a non-competitive program open to young people ages 14-23, regardless of mental or physical challenges, or socioeconomic status. The Congressional Award Foundation teaches participants to set and achieve personally challenging goals that build character, and foster community service, personal development and citizenship. The only other medal awarded by the United States Congress is the Medal of Honor.
Schmid was one of only five New York State recipients of the Congressional Award Gold Medal that were recognized by Members of Congress and community leaders at the Gold Medal Ceremony on June 23. This year’s participants were from a variety of backgrounds and represented nearly all 50 states. Each of them, including Schmid, took the challenge and dedicated hundreds of hours to Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness and Expedition/Exploration.
Schmid fulfilled the Physical Fitness portion of the program as a member of the Golden Knights’ golf squad. The 2010 campaign will mark his third season on the team after arriving as a walk-on in 2008. Last year, Schmid competed in nine tournaments and wound up third on the squad with an 84.9 average throughout 14.0 rounds. He fired a career-low 76 at the Wilmington University Spring Classic in March to finish tied for 16th overall. He furthermore had his best 36-hole total of the season behind a 165 (82-83) at the River Hawk Invitational that was hosted by UMass Lowell. Schmid was also named to the Northeast-10 Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll in honor of academic excellence for the second straight year and is a Dean’s List student at Saint Rose.
Schmid completed his Voluntary Public Service work as a Boy Scout Leader, a Blood Services worker for the American Red Cross and a United Way Income Tax Preparer. In Personal Development, Schmid gained knowledge in the art and science of classic car restoration that allowed him to restore two 1983 Datsun 280 ZX sport cars. For his Expedition, Schmid planned a trip in the Maine wilderness where he hiked to the top of Mt. Katahdin, the highest mountain in Maine, and whitewater rafted on the Penobscot River. He furthermore learned geocaching and even encountered a moose.
Since its inception in 1979, the Congressional Award has recognized thousands of young Americans committed to serving their country and improving themselves, representing over three million hours of public service and 30,000 students.