Outstanding Young Alumnus Award

honors alumni, under the age of 40, who have enhanced the prestige of the University by virtue of their character, integrity, and personal accomplishments.

Holly (Orr ’99) Messick earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a minor in theatre and television arts and political broadcasting.  Messick started her career as an assistant account executive with Simon Marketing and worked on an internal team to develop and execute promotional campaigns for McDonald’s Happy Meal programs.  She started with the American Heart Association in 2003 starting as a youth market director and is currently the vice president of corporation relations in Chicago.  She received “Team Player of the Year” award, “Integration” award and national recognition for benchmark executive committees and event campaigns.  She also has developed national best practice strategies for the American Heart Association’s Heart Ball, Heart Walk and Go Red for Women campaigns.  She is a member of the Valpo Admission Network (VAN).  She and her husband, Daniel, live in Forest Park, Ill.