The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) will present its 2023 Alumnus of Distinction award to Myron C. Jones II ’98 at the Alumni Celebration Dinner to be held Saturday, Sept. 30, (cocktails: 5:30 p.m./dinner: 6 p.m.) at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. Registration for the dinner, part of the Blue & Gold Celebration: Homecoming & Families Weekend 2023, is available here.
The PGAA Alumnus of Distinction Award acknowledges excellence among alumni of Pitt-Greensburg. Candidates are evaluated on their outstanding level of professional achievement, service to the community, service to the University of Pittsburgh, special recognition or honors, and any other special efforts or success. It is the highest honor given by the PGAA to an individual alumnus/alumna annually.
"As the Pitt Greensburg Alumni Association President, it is my honor to be part of a university that produces the level of impressive distinction, volunteers and leadership among our winners," said Michel Keller.
Since his graduation from Pitt-Greensburg in 1998 with a bachelor’s of science degree in business management and a minor in information systems, Jones has traveled a dual career path that has been characterized by dedication and resilience.
He currently serves as the senior pastor of the Apostolic Christian Temple (Washington, PA), a position he has held since 2010, and as a software engineer at Technology Services Group, Inc. (Triadelphia, WV), specializing in web and app development.
He and his wife, Amethyst, reside in Washington, PA, and are the parents of one daughter, Donyisha, a photographer and videographer.
“Receiving my school's highest honor, the Alumnus of Distinction Award, is a profound validation of the dedication and perseverance that have guided my journey,” said Jones. “This accolade signifies more than just personal achievement; it symbolizes the enduring impact of education and the responsibility I now carry to inspire future generations through my experiences and accomplishments. It stands as a testament to how unwavering faith, determination, and seizing opportunities can pave the way to success. Most of all I am grateful.”
Born in Fort Benning, GA, Jones is the son of Myron C. Jones Sr. and Evelyn Jones. His father’s 13 years of service in the US Army allowed Jones to experience life on various military bases in the United States and abroad. He and his two sisters, Kelly and Michelle, fondly remember their mother’s dedication to the family and how she strove to foster togetherness and resilience in her family.
“These early experiences molded me into who I am today,” said Jones, who is described as a dedicated family man, a community servant, and a leader who thrives amidst challenges. “My pastoral calling has become an integral part of my life.”
Jones noted that he spent his formative years in Greensburg, PA, graduating from Greensburg Salem High School and attending Westminster College for two years before transferring to Pitt-Greensburg. At Pitt-Greensburg, he served as a team captain from 1996 through 1998 and earned AMCC All-Conference second-team honors his senior year as a member of the men’s basketball team under the direction of then Head Coach Matt Furjanic.
After graduating from Pitt-Greensburg, Jones worked as a support engineer with CA Technologies. In the intervening years, he developed his skills in IT support, software engineering, and development, while providing solutions for both technical and non-technical users. Developing this expertise led to other opportunities: serving as a technology consultant for Christian Fellowship Foundation, Inc. (2007-2010), where he provided guidance to more than 20 ministries in the Ohio Valley area and serving as the technology and communications director for the Ohio District Council of Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. Young People’s Union (2012-2015).
Jones’ commitment to education and youth development is evident in his service as a former board member at First Love Christian Academy where he served as an athletic spiritual advisor, mentor, and volunteer support for the school’s national high school basketball team. Jones has also served as the local regional young people’s president for the Southeast Region of the Ohio District Council of Pentecostal Churches, Inc. (2007-2010), overseeing 11 churches in the Ohio Valley.
Washington County residents may be familiar with Jones through his radio shows, “Fresh Bread with Pastor Jones” and “Let’s Talk About It,” both airing on WNJR out of Washington & Jefferson College. He also hosted a community television broadcast of “Fresh Bread with Pastor Jones,” which aired on the University of California of Pennsylvania TV network.
In addition to his bachelor’s degree from Pitt-Greensburg, Jones earned a degree from City Bible College in Lakeland, FL, and was consecrated as an Overseer with a focus on technology services for the Fountain of Life International Fellowship, Inc., solidifying his commitment to service and technology.
He is the recipient of the 2017 Timothy Leadership Conference Appreciation award and presented at the 2020 Navigate Now Church and Faith-Based Community Virtual Summit, where he helped leaders to navigate the challenges of the pandemic. He also was appointed the technology coordinator for the Ohio District Council of Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc.
About Pitt-Greensburg:
Founded in 1963, the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg is a publicly assisted, four-year, liberal arts college in southwestern Pennsylvania. Pitt-Greensburg offers 31 baccalaureate degree programs, including new majors in data analytics, nursing, and healthcare management, as well as 31 minors and four certificate programs. With nearly 1,400 students, more than 10,000 alumni, and faculty and staff numbering 260, Pitt-Greensburg provides a vibrant, diverse community that is a dynamic model of a 21st-century liberal arts education. As part of the University of Pittsburgh system, Pitt-Greensburg offers the resources of a world-renowned university combined with the individualized and immersive experiences of a small liberal arts college. Creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit permeate the campus and extend into its many collaborative projects with the Westmoreland County community. Nestled in Pennsylvania’s beautiful Laurel Highlands, the campus is surrounded by the region’s outdoor recreation venues and rich history. It is a five-minute drive from uptown Greensburg and less than an hour’s drive from Pittsburgh.