What do Presidents Kennedy, Nixon, Ford and Clinton have in common with this UK Alum?

What is it like to win a national award that former presidents and vice presidents as well as the legendary Elvis Presley also received? In a word, "shocking."

"You could have knocked me over with a feather!" said Adam Edelen, a graduate of UK's College of Agriculture.

Edelen, who majored in community communications and leadership development, has been named one of the 2008 Ten Outstanding Young Americans by the United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees).

You could say the Kentucky native is now in good company. Past Outstanding Young Americans include Presidents John Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton, and Vice Presidents Al Gore, Dan Quayle and Richard Cheney. Howard Hughes, Orson Wells, Elvis Presley, Nelson Rockefeller, Ted Kennedy and Christopher Reed also added the title to their resumes.

The Ten Outstanding Young Americans program (TOYA) is considered one of the oldest and most prestigious recognition programs in the United States. Each year since 1938, the United States Jaycees has sought out the 10 young men and women who embody the best qualities of this country's young achievers.

Though Edelen has worked as an executive at Lexington's Thomas & King and executive director of the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security, he currently serves as chief of staff for Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear.

"I've known for some time that Adam is an outstanding young Kentuckian and American," said Gov. Beshear. "The energy and leadership he has brought to my administration has been invaluable, and I congratulate him on this well-deserved honor."

But public service has always been a calling for Edelen, who simultaneously attended classes at UK and worked as one of the youngest-ever aides for former Kentucky Governor Paul Patton.

"I had always wanted to be involved in public service and UK really helped to provide focus for reaching that goal," said Edelen. "UK helped me marry my desire to help Kentucky with an academic understanding of the issues facing our state while I was receiving real-world experience in the Patton administration; it was the perfect combination for me."

His passion for community also started at an early age. During the past decade, Edelen has served in various leadership roles for Kentucky Educational Television's Be Well Kentucky initiative, the Commerce Lexington and the United Way of the Bluegrass annual campaign. He currently serves as vice chair for the Urban League of Lexington and is a member of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence.

While Edelen is proud to have been named one of the top 10 young Americans, he says the reason he's heavily involved in civic activity is simply because he loves his native state.

"It's very nice to receive this award, but I don't do what I do to gain recognition; I do it because I am committed to our Commonwealth and our country," said Edelen. "There are many Kentuckians out there working…award or no award…to help create a better Kentucky and a better country."

Because of that desire, the UK grad is focused on working to keep young Kentuckians like himself in the Bluegrass by helping to make the state a great place to live and work.

Edelen hopes to inspire current UK students who share his vision of improving the lives of all Kentuckians. "Improving Kentucky is not a spectator sport," said Edelen. "We have the obligation to fashion the future for our children."