1990
John W. Copeland

After graduating from Oberlin College in 1937, Copeland began his forty-two year YMCA career as a Physical Education Director in the Dayton (OH) r just five years, he moved to the East Madison YMCA in Seattle (WA) as Executive Director. He later returned to the Midwest to serve wo years with the Detroit (MI) YMCA. While at Detroit, he assumed responsibilities at the branch and corporate levels. He was that Affirmative Action Officer and became the Assistant General Director. For five years beginning in 1965, he joined the national staff ult Programs and Urban Affairs. He returned to Detroit as Vice President and Director of Planning, Public Relations and Membership. irement, Copeland continued his YMCA service as a consultant to the Harlem Branch of the YMCA of Greater New York City and in In- oles for branches in Detroit.

1990
Francis E. Gray

Francis E. Gray served the YMCA for over seventy-one years, beginning in 1917. After graduating from Oberlin College, he served with the YMCA Red Triangle during World War I. He returned to serve two years at the Y in Worcester (MA), prior to his appointment as the Industrial Secretary at the Troy (NY) YMCA. He was the General Secretary for the Saginaw (MI) YMCA during the 1930s. Beginning in 1937, he spent twenty-four years as the General Secretary of the Hartford (CT) Y, retiring in 1961. Gray’s tenure in Hartford was marked by a 300 percent increase in volunteer participation as well as a dramatic expansion of the program offerings. Long after his retirement he remained an active volunteer for the Hartford YMCA. Gray received honorary doctorates from both Hillyer College, which began as a YMCA educational institute, and Springfield College.

1990
John R. Mott

Described as “one of the most nobly useful men in the world” by President Woodrow Wilson, John R. Mott began his association with the YMCA as a leader of the Student YMCA at Cornell University. Beginning in 1888, he served a twenty-seven year tenure as National Secretary of the Student YMCAs. From 1915 to 1928, he served as General Secretary of the International Committee (today’s YMCA of the USA), also serving on the executive committee of the World’s Committee of YMCAs. Mott led the YMCA’s expansive involvement in World War I. Under his leadership, the national movement raised $250 million for YMCA programs supporting troops in the U.S. and overseas. Beginning in the late 1920s, he tuned his attention to international projects focused on unifying world-wide Christian evangelical concerns. Mott authored sixteen books, visited over eighty-three nations and received honorary awards from fourteen countries, including the Distinguished Service Medal from the United States. He received six honorary degrees from universities around the world and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his life-long humanitarian efforts.

1990
Sir George Williams

Raised in the rural countryside of England, George Williams was drawn to London as a young man during the Industrial Revolution. He worked long hours in a city store, living in small, crowded rooms in the same building. The moral conditions of the inner city were incompatible with Williams’ evangelical Christian outlook. He organized a series of prayer meetings and Bible classes for eleven of his colleagues. These simple meetings formed the basis of the Young Men’s Christian Association. Williams grew to be a prominent businessman in London. He maintained a life-long affiliation with the rapidly-spreading Association, providing influence and financial support. In recognition of his contribution to English society and the world, Williams was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1894. After his death in 1905, he was commemorated by a stained-glass window in the nave of Westminster Abbey. Sir George Williams is buried in St. Paul’s Cathedral.

1991
Harry A. Brunger

Like many YMCA professionals, Harry Brunger began his association with the YMCA in his youth, as a member of the Hi-Y Program in the Eaton/Barry County (MI) YMCA. He received degrees from Michigan State University and Yale University Divinity School. He worked with the United Church until he was recruited for service with the National Committee of the YMCAs of China. Brunger spent the next twenty-eight years working in YMCAs overseas. He was a YMCA Fraternal Secretary, serving in China, Hong Kong and Lebanon. He also worked with the YMCA in Egypt, Greece and Turkey. His overseas efforts focused on staff development, fundraising, training programs for youth workers, facility development, and social/economic development. Brunger returned to the U.S. on the national staff, focusing on international education. In 1980, he served as the head of the International Relations for the YMCA of the USA relating to programs in China, the Middle East and New York City.

1991
Charles W. Jacobson

After graduating from George Williams College in 1940, Charles Jacobson began work as the Youth Program Director of the Southwest Branch of the Los Angeles (CA) YMCA. A year later he was named the Executive Director of the new Downey Branch. After the Los Angeles Y separated from the Community Chest, Jacobson was charged with implementing a comprehensive annual fundraising drive, an experience that would shape much of the rest of his career. Many of the development strategies and materials he produced became resources for Ys across the U.S. and Canada. In 1963, he was appointed the Chief Development Officer and six years later became the President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Los Angeles. He designed the “Y-Buildings for Youth” program which established or rehabilitated twenty branches and camps, and provided an additional one million dollars for current operations. Jacobson retired the Association’s $3.5 million debt with the “Getting Ready for Tomorrow Campaign”.