Young Alumni Award Citation

Matthew Laferty '08

With this presentation of Ohio Wesleyan University’s Young Alumni Award, the Ohio Wesleyan Alumni Association Board of Directors is proud to recognize the Reverend Matthew Laferty for his work in international social justice through Christian ministry and mission work.

Matthew graduated cum laude with University Honors from OWU in 2008 with a double major in Politics & Government and International Studies. The summer of his sophomore year, he participated in a service trip to Russia through the Chaplain’s Office. After OWU, he earned his master’s degree from Yale Divinity School. In 2011, he was awarded the Downes Prize for Worship Leadership from Yale University.

Internationally, he served the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy (MPC), an ecumenical ministry in the Russian Federation capital, and has served as a pastor of the English-Speaking United Methodist Church in Vienna, Austria, since 2015. He works extensively with refugees, public health programs, and human trafficking prevention.

Matthew is an ordained elder in the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church. He’s worked extensively with different programs and committees within The United Methodist Church committed to justice and international aid.

For his commitment to justice and good works worldwide, the Alumni Board is pleased to present Matthew with the Young Alumni Award.