Remembering Lawrence Young: Mentor, advocate and inspiration to many

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Lawrence “Larry” W. Young Jr., who retired from Penn State in 2004, passed away on April 25, 2022, at 79 in his Chandler, Arizona residence. Young served 22 years at the director of the Paul Robeson Cultural Center (PRCC) in Penn State Student Affairs and had a profound impact on the lives of countless students during his tenure.

Young graduated with his bachelor’s degree in English in 1965 and his master of education in 1974, both from Miami of Ohio University. He also served as president of the Miami of Ohio University Black Alumni Association. Young was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.; he was initially inducted into the Delta Upsilon Chapter (chartered at Miami) in 1965.

Young began his esteemed career as a classroom teacher. He then served as director of Minority Student Affairs for his undergraduate alma mater for 17 years. In 1983, Young came to Penn State as the director of the PRCC. While at the University, he was also a lecturer in African American studies and specifically taught courses such as AFAM 147: The Life and Thought of Malcolm X, and others.

“Young was an intellectual and very approachable,” said Tom Poole, who retired from Penn State in 2018 as vice president for administration. Poole worked closely with Young during his time as the director for Penn State’s Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs (now the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development). They formed a close professional bond with the goal of bringing educational programming to campus, particularly around issues of social justice.

“One of the things I always remember and admire about Larry, was just how seriously he took his calling as an educator,” said Poole. “Larry had deeply held views, he shared them freely and openly, and he saw that as part of helping people develop their own critical thinking skills.”

Poole noted that one way Young shared his views was as a frequent contributor to the local newspaper through Letters to the Editor and opinion pieces. His commitment, passion and advocacy were well known and respected in the University and State College communities.

“Young was a champion for Penn State students,” said Marcus Whitehurst, vice provost for Educational Equity at Penn State. “In a speech at the 1998 Rites of Passage Recognition Ceremony honoring Black graduates, Young cautioned graduates to reject a policy that ‘material acquisition equals success,’ but to use their Penn State credentials responsibly and further their communities.” 

Harold Cheatham, professor emeritus of education at Penn State and close friend of Young’s, also noted Young’s deep commitment to the students.

In Young’s obituary, Cheatham noted, “He had a profound impact on the lives of countless African American and other students of color who came of age in his tutelage in the PRCC. ‘Mr. Young,’ his calling name for his charges and for many among his peerage, was a tireless mentor and advocate in matter contemporaneously termed diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.”

“Larry was [the students’] go-to person,” said Cheatham. “He was very much involved in their personal, social and academic potential.”

Young often was the conduit between students and faculty members as he worked to help them succeed.

Shawn Ricks was one of those students. She held a work-study position in the PRCC while getting her undergraduate degree at Penn State. She met Young as a freshman and noted, “I wouldn’t be Dr. Ricks, if it wasn’t for Larry.”

Ricks, who is now professor and department chair of educational and professional studies at Appalachian State University, credited her position in the PRCC with exposing her to many Black faculty and staff at Penn State and ultimately helping her make connections that led to a graduate program at the University.

“Larry’s door was always open,” said Ricks. “His style of leadership was to let you figure it out, without judgement, and support you all the way. Kind of like when you are behind a kid learning how to ride a bike. We never knew when he took his hands off, but he knew exactly when to do it and yet, we knew he was there. Always.” 

Young was also good at continuing the connections he built with friends and students through correspondence. Many who remembered him, talked about his letters and his love of calligraphy.

The PRCC was established in 1972 at the Walnut Building. It replaced the Black Cultural Center and functioned as a forum for the cultural enrichment, educational development, and social advancement of all students while promoting the appreciation of diverse cultures. Elmore M. Browne served as director of the PRCC until his 1982 retirement. Young followed Browne for a 22-year term.

In 1999, the center moved from the Walnut Building into a new space as a partner in the HUB-Robeson Center complex. A cardinal contribution from Young was his service to the design and construction phase of the HUB-Robeson Center, working to ensure that the building’s motif unequivocally reflected African culture and art.

Young was also invested in giving back. He made a gift to establish the Marian Musgrave Libraries Acquisition Fund to acquire African American literature and resources at the Miami of Ohio University and he established the Lawrence Young Scholarship at Penn State, which is awarded to a student who has demonstrated leadership characteristics with one of the Greek organizations within the National Pan-Hellenic Council.

“Mr. Young was the inspiration behind the annual Larry Young Fish Fry, which financially benefited the Lawrence Young Scholarship along with several other scholarships over the 15 years that it was hosted by the Office of Educational Equity,” said Whitehurst.

Following his retirement from Penn State, Young relocated to Arizona and pursued a fun, part-time sales position at Ikea.

Born Dec. 30, 1942, in Cleveland, Ohio, Young was the son of the late Lawrence W. Young Sr. and Maggie P. Young. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Francis Young Green (James) and is survived by nephews Kevin Green (Cleo) and Keith Green (Keyshawn) as well as nieces, and nephews, Azana, Brea, Keyona, Kennedi, Tobias.

Donations in Young’s memory can be made through gifts to the Larry Young Scholarship Fund. A Zoom memorial will be held on June 17. Those interested in more information can email Shawn Ricks, rickssa@appstate.edu.