Park University - Granddaughter Of Former Park President Visits Parkville Campus

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Granddaughter Of Former Park President Visits Parkville Campus

By Carolyn Elwess, University Archivist / Brad Biles - November 16, 2009 - 8:10 am
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Diane Young, left, and her daughter Christine, right, flank Park President Dr. Michael Droge.

Diane Young and her daughter, Christine, recently visited Park University's Fishburn Archives on the Parkville Campus in search of information about her grandfather, William Lindsay Young Sr., Ph.D., president of Park University from 1937-44. Diane is the daughter of William Lindsay Young Jr., '41, and Mary Elizabeth Price Young, '42.

Dr. Young was one of Park's most dynamic presidents. He is best known for bringing nine Nisei students to the Parkville Campus in 1942, over the vehement objections of some local residents and alumni. After war was declared on Japan following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, all residents of Japanese descent, including the Nisei -- the first generation born in the U.S. -- were deprived of their homes and schools, and sent to internment camps for the duration of World War II. Many Nisei were already in college at the time and several leading educators sought methods of helping them continue their educations. Dr. Young's courageous and highly-principled stand on the issue received national attention -- even a note of commendation from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

Diane Young, left, and daughter Christine look through the University's archives.

Diane and Christine spent almost three hours in the University's archives, reading files, looking at photographs and learning things about Dr. Young that were new to them. In addition, Diane shared photographs of her parents and anecdotes about her childhood visits with her grandparents in California. Carolyn Elwess, archivist, was thrilled to learn more about Dr. Young's children because information about their lives and careers after leaving Park did not previously exist.

"I was pleased to share that the Nisei story is still being researched by many scholars and that Dr. Young often figures prominently in books and articles regarding those dark days in America," Elwess said. "Dr. Young is definitely an important figure, not only in Park history, but also in American history."

Diane Young said, "I was so happy to see that Grandpa Young was a happy man for much of his life and that he was a somewhat rebellious sort. I tend to be that way myself for issues that are really important -- education, peace and compassion for all living creatures. I really did not realize that some of that must have come from him."

According to Elwess, visiting with Dr. Young's relatives has added a great deal to the University's knowledge about his personality and family life -- "Things that remind us that Dr. Young was also human," she said.