Karl S. Young ’75 may have gone on to a successful career in research in hydrogen energy development, military helicopter production, advanced jet engine testing and more, but he by no means left his alma mater behind. He uses his roles as president of the Class of 1975 and reunion co-chair as a platform for sharing the latest technologies with Stevens students. As he puts it, “Our impact as alumni is best served by paying it forward.”
NAME: Karl S. Young
CLASS YEAR AND MAJOR: 1975, Mechanical Engineering
STEVENS VOLUNTEER ROLES: President of the Class of 1975 and reunion co-chair
STEVENS VOLUNTEER SINCE: 1981
How/why did you decide to contribute your time as a Stevens volunteer?
My collegiate experience was a milestone in my life that launched my career. Stevens provided me with not only an education but a community that I am still in touch with today after 50 years. After forming my own engineering firm after five years of R&D engineering at Princeton, my time was more flexible, so I wanted to introduce the many new technologies that were beginning to arrive in industry to Stevens in the hope of benefiting the researchers and students there.
What drew you to your particular volunteer activity or activities?
As president for my class and the class officer cadre, I helped to establish a class endowment to provide scholarships to undergraduate students at Stevens while also improving the class esprit de corps. This is all part of giving back to the Stevens community. In my career I have worked on many fusion reactors and turned new innovations into practical applications, knowledge that I hope to pass on to future Stevens engineers.
What excites you most about what you do for Stevens?
Connecting with classmates on shared Stevens experiences that have furthered our careers and have kept us connected to our alma mater. As a class leader I get most excited about what we have shared in our respective fields to develop new technologies. As the Class of 1975 connects and continues to gather at Stevens functions, our collective hope is to see some of these new technologies passed on to the students.
How has volunteering for Stevens impacted you personally?
It is rewarding to see my knowledge and know-how contribute to Stevens in various ways, especially when it adds value to Stevens research efforts and helps to better prepare the students. As a class leader I am proud to keep the Class of 1975 in the know about what is happening on campus. Sharing photos of the UCC and letting my class know the progress that Stevens has made over the last 50 years makes me excited to be a part of the Stevens family.
What do you feel is the impact of alumni involvement in the university?
Stevens alumni are an incredible source of valuable technical information and years of wisdom in their fields. Besides financial benefits from alumni, Stevens can also benefit a great deal from the latest and future technologies from them. Our impact as alumni is best served by paying it forward.
What would you say to other alumni who were considering volunteering at Stevens?
Share your expertise and personal experience to enrich the Stevens community and students with the latest science and technology, to help them be at the forefront of science and engineering. The class connections that you make as an undergraduate follow you throughout your career lifetime and beyond. You share a unique experience with your Stevens classmates.
