Young Brothers Persevere and Graduate Together

Andrea Byerly
Monday, May 15, 2023 12:00 AM
All, Press Releases, Academics, Students

Pictured left to right: Jacob and Will Young at the Cleveland State Awards Night.

CLEVELAND, TN - Overcoming tragedy, brothers, Jacob and Will Young, graduated together from Cleveland State in May and both have jobs in their career fields. Jacob earned an associate degree in surveying with a drafting certificate; he works for Brown Surveying in Cleveland. Will earned an associate degree in precision manufacturing with a computer numerical control (CNC) certificate; he works at Global Precision Optics in Cleveland.

Graduating from Bradley Central High School in 2020, Jacob started at Cleveland State majoring in mechatronics and thinking about a career in engineering. He wanted to work more with his hands and be in the field. After his first term, a professor told him that surveying would be offered at Cleveland State the next year. Jacob changed his major and graduated in the first surveying cohort.

Will graduated in the first group of the Tennessee Valley Early College (TVEC) from Bradley Central High School. He graduated with his associate degree the week prior to his high school graduation. He enjoys making things and started working at the family owned, Global Precision Optics, for his degree internship. The local company is the leading supplier of custom fabricated optical components for aerospace, defense, medical, commercial and research applications.

In 2017, Jacob and Will’s father was diagnosed with Wegener’s Disease, a rare disorder of the blood vessels. He passed away from a blood clot in his heart on July 26, 2017. In August 2017 as his sophomore year of high school began, Jacob suffered a traumatic brain injury after falling down a flight of stairs. He lost his memories and the ability to walk. He couldn’t tie his shoes or hold a pencil. Told that he would not walk again, Jacob persevered through therapy and regained his mobility and memories.

Although he is still working through the healing process, Jacob said, “If I didn’t have my faith, I don’t think I could have done any of it. I did my part, and God did his part too. That was the most important. There were days in the hospital when I was scared to go to sleep because I didn’t think I would wake up. That is a tough place to be. On those days, I was surrounded by my church family and the people who were there prayed for me. I stuck with it, and my family stuck with it. We’re here today.”

Will said, “You grow up faster. You can tell a maturity difference between the people who haven’t been through anything in life. There is also a difference in mindset, whether you are a victim of your situation or you are an overcomer.”

Not only did the brothers graduate together, they each won the academic award for their major at Cleveland State. Jacob received the surveying award, and Will received the precision manufacturing award.  

“Jacob and Will have been a pleasure to work with in class and school activities over the past two years,” said Chuck Barkley, Cleveland State Associate Professor of Advanced Technologies. “Both have a strong work ethic and excitement for their programs of study. I know they are going to be great leaders in their individual fields.”

Will has a full scholarship to attend TCAT Athens in the fall; he plans to earn a machinist diploma and continue working at Global Precision Optics. Jacob earned his Land Surveyor in Training (LSIT) license this month. He will need to pass two more exams and work four more years with his employer, Randy Brown, to earn his surveying license.

“If they had chosen to get angry and give up, no one would have blamed them. But they chose to persevere and succeed. They are hardworking boys, and I am very proud of them,” said their mother, Tonya Young. “Cleveland State has been a great experience for both of them. Chuck Barkley has been wonderful; he has encouraged them and pushed them to succeed.”