By Steve Esser
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. — Rev. Adam Daniels, campus chaplain for Young Harris College, has been named the 2026 winner of the Francis Asbury Award, one of two people in Georgia to win the annual award recognizing United Methodist individuals who have made a significant contribution to fostering ministries in higher education.
Presented to Daniels last weekend at the North Georgia Annual Conference, the award is given each year to two United Methodist clergy or lay people, employed or volunteer, who support and encourage United Methodist collegiate ministries.
“We select a chaplain each year who has done wonderful pastoral care at their campus,” said Rev. Dr. Adam Roberts, Executive Director of the Georgia United Methodist Commission on Higher Education and Collegiate Ministry. Roberts spoke at the YHC Baccalaureate May 7, where Daniels was announced as the winner, and took a few minutes to recognize Daniels for his efforts, which include heading up the College’s Campus Cupboard, a food pantry for YHC students, as well as area residents in the region surrounding the campus.
“Adam’s dedication to service, justice, relationships, and pastoral care for Young Harris College’s faculty, staff, and students is inspirational,” Roberts said. “And he does all this while also teaching a significant load of classes at the College.
“Every time I walk on this campus, I am stunned by the natural beauty. Not just the natural beauty, but the beauty of the people here and the depth of the relationships,” said Roberts, whose commission oversees 600 United Methodist churches in the state as well as the nine United Methodist colleges and universities in Georgia, which includes Young Harris College.
Daniels officially received the award at the commission’s annual conference in Athens this month.
“I’m glad to see the work we’ve been doing here acknowledged,” Daniels said. “I think the students we have here are exceptional, and any recognition I receive is only because of how special they are. I feel incredibly blessed to work with them and all the great people here at YHC. That’s what I am most proud of.”
About Young Harris College
Young Harris College is a private baccalaureate and master’s degree-granting institution located in the beautiful mountains of Northeast Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires, and empowers students through an education that purposefully integrates the liberal arts and professional studies. The College offers 34 majors and 24 minors housed under twelve academic departments. Approximately 1,500 students are enrolled in its residential, master’s degree, and Early College programs. The College is an active member of the NCAA Division II and remains a fierce competitor in the Conference Carolinas.
