Paul Young Memory Book

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Paul Young

Online Memory Book

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07/01/2018 7:10 AM - Scott Allen Nollen

Remembering a Dear Friend

This is very late, but I just discovered the loss of Paul back in 2012. I attended graduate school with Paul at the University of Iowa in 1989, and many years later we reconnected for many reasons. We shared a lot of significant times together, and I liked and admired Paul and his wife Carmen very much. Paul had a very positive effect on my life, and always was supportive of my work, both involving African American Studies and anything else of value. I will always miss him.

05/23/2017 6:47 PM - Vinton Thompson, President, Metropolitan College of New York

Remembering Paul Young from a long time ago

This is a very late post. I just made an effort to find Paul after being out of contact since about 1980. We worked together in Chicago in the late 1970's, each, in his own way, trying to build a better, more just world. I knew Paul had become an academic but did not know the details. I am glad he succeeded and gratified to read the tributes from his colleagues and students. Sounds like the best of the Paul I knew. He made his mark and served the people.

12/20/2012 11:50 AM - Rich Balzano 03

Prof Young was undoubtedly one of my fondest UC memories. I was lucky enough to be at UC for his first year, and I can speak on behalf of many History students from my class when I say that he was a favorite. I just found this out last night, and I find it deeply saddening. As Prof. Cash pointed out, Prof. Young was happy to dive right in---some of the best exchanges of dialogue in the classroom came in Prof Young's classroom, chairs in a circle, just hashing it out.

11/07/2012 11:17 PM - Rocco J. Fanelli

Sorry to hear of this loss

When I read the e-mail of Professor Young's passing I was shocked and saddened. I only had him for one class back in 03-04 but that was only because his classes were impossible to get into. He was positive and engaging and really wanted to hear what his students were thinking. He was a great guy and will be missed by many.

11/04/2012 4:23 PM - Moraa Gekonge

Rest In Peace

He was a great Professor and I still have fond memories of the classes I took with him. He will surely be missed!

10/29/2012 8:20 AM - Sherri Cash

Miss you so much!

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For almost ten years, I had the great pleasure and honor of being Paul’s colleague and friend. There is so much that can be said about him, as you all know. He was a kind and generous man, and an intellectual. I miss him for many reasons. One of the things that I miss is how quickly and how often we would get into conversations about the big thoughts and the big issues. In two seconds flat, we’d be into racism, sexism, capitalism, colonialism, imperialism; you name it. He loved talking about THE WORK. He was not into NONSENSE. He loved THE WORK. We had so many conversations along those lines.
And we had a reciprocal friendship. He would pop into my office and say, “Now, what’s that thing we gotta do?” And, I would take him through it. I would go to his and lay out something that I felt frustrated about in the classroom. Sometimes, I doubted myself, and he would counsel me through those kinds of situations. I always came away feeling better. He helped me to remember what matters most.
But, the number one thing I miss, and that I want to add to this celebration of who Paul was is this: laughter. He had a great sense of humor, and he loved to laugh. We laughed a lot. And, I mean, total crack-up kinds of laughs, the ones that bring tears to your eyes. And, we were loud, too. Many times, someone would come down the hall and say “There too much fun goin’ on in here.”
Something that I missed a lot during the time when Paul was away sick, and now I will always miss is a routine that we had that I think captures so much about him. When I came in to my office, Paul would see me, even from afar, and he would say,
DOCTOR Cash!
And I would say: Doctor Young, how are you?
And Paul would say: YOU the best I know.
And I would say: Well, then, you’re REALLY in trouble!
We had this conversation countless times. Every time, we’d go through this script, and then he would start laughing, and then I would start laughing. That just made everything for me. Paul really lit up the day. I admired him, I loved him, I trusted him completely, and, like all of you, I enjoyed his company so much.
So, Paul, if you’re listening, I want you to know:
YOU’RE the best I know.

10/28/2012 12:40 PM - Frank Robertello

God Bless Professor Young

I had the pleasure of being a student in several of Professor Young's classes during my time at Utica College. I will remember him as a kind, gentle, and caring educator. God bless Dr. Young and his family.

10/28/2012 11:59 AM - Lisa Orr

Remembering Paul

Paul and I had similar research interests, so that gave us a lot to talk about. He was a great resource for information on women labor leaders, which I used in my writing, as well as on movements to unionize secretaries, which gave me context on issues I had witnessed in my own life. He was easy-going: when he asked me to edit the wording of some encyclopedia entries he was writing, I cut them pretty drastically, thinking he was going to shoot me--but he thanked me instead. When I was first getting to know him, he approached me because he had read my book--and that's above and beyond duty for ...

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10/27/2012 11:23 PM - R. Scott Smith

A True Pioneer, Truly Missed...

The smile, the good will, the great stories about all things little and small, the sharp insights on life here at UC and in the rest of the world... man, you're the one who blessed OUR hearts just to know you.

Easy, Brother

10/27/2012 6:15 PM - Amanda Dummett

Young Easy

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Young Easy
In the Fall semester of 2008, I enrolled in a class that I thought would fill a requirement looking back I am happy to say I was proven wrong. When I told the upper classmen I was taking Dr. Young, I was bidden good luck because he was considered a tough grader with high expectations.
The first e-mail I received from him, an amendment to the syllabus was signed Young, Easy. I remembered thinking does this man know he is in Academia. I came to realize easy was a characteristic of who he was, he had an easy disposition and spirit; he was easy to talk to and easy to receive feedback; I realized that easy was an embodiment of who he was as a person.
Africa and The Atlantic was by no means an easy class but it was the class that made me realize I was in College and needed to produce better work and changed my approach to studying, it was this class that taught me what it meant to be a College student and for this I will ever be thankful to him.
I only took one class with him but every time we saw each other he would hug me, ask about my classes and would offer his help should I need it. It took three years before I took him up on his offer. In the summer of 2011, I was awarded an Internship that was more of a challenge than I expected; Dr. Young was my supervisor. Once I was frustrated to the point of wanting to quit but he told me I must never quit when things became hard because I will always run from challenges and he believed that if anyone was a correct match for the position it was me. He also imparted to me that I should use my experience as teaching mechanism, as real world experience.
Upon concluding my internship I found a subject worth researching and he mentored me through my research. He did fact checking and talked me through criterion I was unacquainted with. I enjoyed working with him on the days where our schedules aligned. He taught me some of the standards I had not learnt because I am not a history major. Dr. Young has taught me many lessons that I never learnt in the classroom and again I am thankful.
He was always there when I needed him and when I just needed someone to talk to. I will always smile when I think of him this way. I used these memories two months ago when I saw him lying in a hospital bed connected to various machines. I realized for the first time I needed to be the strong one, this was unusual for our relationship. When I was finally alone I broke down because I could not imagine my mentor in that way, to me he was always strong and capable.
He will be missed but never forgotten because of the impact he made on my life. I began my relationship with Dr. Young towards the end he became Uncle Paul my Professor, Mentor, and Uncle- Figure because loving, caring, and respecting him was easy.

Love,
Amanda Dummett

10/27/2012 12:59 AM - Lauren Partyka

Professor "Paul" Young

I believed that Professor Young wanted to be called just that, the name he well earned. Until one day he set me straight and said "lauren my name is Paul, you are my colleague please call me Paul.". "we work together". I will never ever forget that. Another thing I will never forget, other than Ron Lucchino, Paul was the next to get his book order in on time. BUT, he always changed it. Was notorious. about it. He would say, "lauren, istn't working for my syllabus, this is what I want to to, is it okay". Of course I would say fine, and tell him, I left three shelves open for your changes ...

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10/26/2012 12:32 PM - Helen Blouet

all that jazz

I only knew Paul for a few years, but when I first met him on my interview at Utica College, it felt like I had known him for much longer. When I came to UC, our offices were across the hall from each other and I regularly heard warm, inviting jazz music floating from his office. I never needed an invitation to go to his office to listen to jazz or to talk about teaching, research, and life at UC. Students also appreciated his open, comfortable office environment. I will miss his mind, his heart, his words- all his "jazz."

10/26/2012 11:19 AM - Hossein Behforooz

Happy Face

I always saw him with a happy face. Ready to say hi with a lovely smiling face. Yes he was a cool man. In AAUP parties, he had always his camera to take pictures without announcing, except in our last AAUP party. He came with no camera. It was my last time to see him. We will miss him.

10/25/2012 10:56 PM - Ben Atwood

Great Memories

Dr. Young was such an important part of many lives in the UC community. I will always admire his approach to teaching. I have many great memories of times spent in his classes and I will miss him greatly.

10/24/2012 9:03 AM - Jody Dorsey

Calm and Inviting

I can recall my initial encounter with Professor Young , the nature of my matter gave me a feeling of nervousness and concern. Professor Young's calm demeanor immediately put me at ease. His outlook on life would result in me gravitating towards his office for the next four years. His presence as a Man will be truly missed. The kids today would say that Professor Young has "Swagger".

10/23/2012 8:09 PM - Dana Guido

With Deepest Sympathy

Dr. Young was an amazing man. I never in a million years thought I would find myself taking African History. It was one of the only options available and I did not knowing that it would turn out to be one of my favorite classes. I feel privileged to have met such an inspirational and influential man! I always find myself talking about lessons I learned from his class. Just today I was of speaking of Dr. Young and my memories of UC to come home to a message of his passing. I write this message with a heavy heart!

10/23/2012 6:04 PM - Shirley Tiffany

A Rare Person

As a Senior Citizen studying for my Master's I took Dr. Young's African American history class and am I ever glad I did. The reading and writing assignments were huge, but I enjoyed every moment of it. There are a few rare people who leave an unforgetable impact on our lives. You are one of them, Dr. Young.
What a sad loss to Utica College.

10/23/2012 5:27 PM - Tori Fender Mattia

If He Can Do It, You Can Do It!

Just two days ago I looked up Prof. Young on LinkedIn to see if I could connect with him and see how he was doing. I could not find him, but he has been on my mind a lot recently. I had no idea he was even sick. As a mom going through college, Prof. Young instilled confidence in me. His life was an inspiration to all students and what they can accomplish, even while raising a family. I loved to hear his stories about his life and the little car that just wouldn't give up. How it's never too late in life to go for your dreams. He made learning about History a joy and intriguing. He never berate...

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10/23/2012 4:35 PM - Maurie Pauline

Ripples of influence.

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I write this message with a saddened heart over the loss of one whom was very special to me. Paul was one of the professors who interviewed me for my entrance in the new history program that UC had just started. Dr. Wittner & Dr. Young asked me what did I come to UC for & I responded that I came to be challenged. How I had no idea that these words would come back & bite me on the butt because as a transfer student from MVCC, I was not prepared for the amount of course work that UC handed out on the first day of school. I suddenly had lost my confidence about attending Harvard on the Mohawk & was looking to find an exit to get out of there. On my way to quitting school, I ran into Dr. Young, whom noticed my look of desperation & informed me to walk with him to his office. On the way there I revealed to him my plan to quit & he sat me down in his office & told me that I couold do the work & remember whaI said when I came to UC that I wanted to be challenged. He told me to use this first semester to find my groove & relax cause I belonged there. That talk changed my life because he beame my mentor & friend. I learned a lot from him not only about academia but about life itself over the years of our friendship. I went on to graduate from UC 3rd in my class with a GPA of 392, suma cum laude. I was on my way to visiting him in Rochester to tell him that I will be completing my masters in addictions counseling this month with a GPA of 4.0 when i received the devastating news. I lost a mentor, confidante, friend, brother in the struggle, & fellow traveler on this journey we know as life. I'll neve forget what Paul told me that: "Life is what happens while you're on your way to doing something else, it just shows up!" i regret that Icannot be there to honor my friend in person this Sunday but he knows that I deeply respected him & loved him like a long-lost brother from a different mother. I miss our talks & monthly lunches but the influence that you had upon me left indelible imprints that heled me to become a serious academician & clinician. One thing that you forever imprinted upon me that while many go preparing for life after death, I can have life before it, just like you had. You've fought the good fight & your struggles are no more. RIP, my friend until our paths cross in some dimension where knowledge is power & you will be a king amongst kings.

10/23/2012 3:37 PM - Holly McNamara

Influential

There is no one who had a greater impact on me in my time at UC than Paul Young. I can remember the first day of the first of his classes that I took. I knew immediately the experience would be unlike my other classes. He was the first person with whom I could openly discuss race issues. He did not judge. He always sought to understand the heart of what was said, and it was evident that he wanted his students to grow as individuals, not simply gain knowledge. His style of instruction has influenced my career as an educator. I truly believe that I am not only a better teacher because of his ...

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10/23/2012 2:50 PM - Jeanette Lenoir

Remembering The Inspiring Prof. Young

It is with great shock and sadness to hear of Prof. Young's passing...He was a great educator, mentor, and adviser. Prof. Young went out of his way to support and encourage me to continue following my heart and passion for journalism. He empowered me with knowledge of the history of the U.S., the Civil Rights movement, life in Chicago before his move to Utica to work for UC, and so much more. He was charismatic, unique, passionate about his work and his students, kind, funny and gracious beyond believe. I had been planning to stop by his office for some months now to give him an update on my w...

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10/23/2012 8:45 AM - Brian D. Agnew

Professor Young was one of those people who helped you find your true potential. He inspired you with his respectful yet direct tone and listened carefully when you needed his ear.

As a young, African-American male, he was a great role model. A scholar, an educator, an advisor and most importantly, a friend.

You are missed, Professor Young, you are missed!

10/22/2012 6:56 PM - Dr. Claudia R. Bell

Cool

I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Paul Young. He was as cool as the other side of the pillow. I will forever remember our talks, his laughter, and his easy manner. He was very much the renaissance man and knew a lot about everything from Coltrane to cartoons and could wax philosophical on the history of labor relations as well as the literature of Toni Morrison. He was a good person with a good heart and he will be missed.

10/21/2012 7:01 PM - Sharon Powell

An inspiration

I feel privileged to have been a student of Dr. Young's during my stint as an undergrad at Utica College. We could start a conversation about the dichotomy of Nathan Bedford Forrest one day, and pick up that same conversation weeks later right where we left off without missing a beat. Dr. Young knew how to be stern but fair when helping his students deal with life's little curve balls. If I would start to whine about my class workload, or have one of infamous breaks from reality, Dr. Young would not let me get away with it. I really needed that. He was great man who imparted great wisdom, and ...

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10/20/2012 3:55 PM - Melanie Celestine

Amazing Professor/Mentor

I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to have a class with you. You pushed me to exceed expectations, and stressed the importance of success. I always kept your words of wisdom in mind, and even after the semester was over, I continued to visit your office to tell you my plans after UC. I informed you I would be applying to graduate schools soon and I was extremely nervous. You encouraged me to keep an open mind, and said that I was capable of doing anything and that I would have no trouble getting into graduate school, and if I needed anything, you were always there to help. Well I nev...

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10/16/2012 5:00 PM - Dr. Hartwell C Herring III

He was my friend

My office was 10 feet from Paul's for several years, in the basement of DePerno. We had a long list of common interests and swapped lots of stories ... about Southern Culture, Civil Rights, Baseball, Chicago, Memphis ... Blues, Jazz, and more. He was always ready to listen and had a wonderful sense of humor. A terrific colleague, left us too soon.

10/16/2012 4:51 PM - Taylor Wrye

An Inspirational Mentor!

This is truly a great loss for the UC community and everyone he inspired. I had the privilege of being one of Dr. Young’s students and his mentee. It is because of him that I am in the education profession. Dr. Young was truly a remarkable educator and had a great way of inspiring people to love history as much as he did. I can’t even begin to thank him for everything that he did for me during my years at Utica but I do know that his legacy will last forever with all the lives he touched. He will be greatly missed!

10/16/2012 12:00 PM - Frank Bergmann

A Gentle Rock

Most of my memories of Paul come from AAUP-UC meetings and our time together on the Governing Board. Even when he was fired up, his demeanor was gentle, but that gentleness gave more profile to the clear and hard message he had for us on such occasions. He proved that a soft voice which you may have to strain to hear can be more effective than a megaphone which drowns out everything. Peace be with you, Paul.

10/16/2012 9:02 AM - Carol Downing

Easy

Paul was a great colleague and a most excellent human being. He had a reputation for being a demanding professor - and yet, the students loved and respected him. I envied the way students would talk about his classes. It was always a pleasure when he would stop by the Faculty Center to grab a cup of coffee and chat about politics, campus events, or life in general. He was an advocate for the college, for his students, for his colleagues, and for the improvement of the human condition. He always signed his e-mails 'Easy,' and he truly was that. Our lives at UC are better because he was a part o...

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10/16/2012 7:29 AM - Zach Jones

Inspirational Leader

I had the pleasure to have Dr. Young for three out of my four years at Utica College. It is because of people like him that I am striving to be an educator. He would always brighten up the classroom and have a subtle joke that would lighten up the mood. He asked a lot from his students but we all knew that he only wanted our best. He was a great advisor and helped many students whenever they needed it. He will be missed by many and never forgotten.

10/15/2012 6:43 PM - Thomas Havener

Historical Hero

I have had Professor Paul Young all four years of college. He has inspired me as I pursued my masters in education. He always used to call me "Mr. Havener" and have a smile on his face. His smart remarks included, "bless your heart". He also used to tell us how he rode into chicago on a mule and how he tore up Iowa University lol. He is a great man and I have much respect for him as a professor, educator and a family man. Words cannot express how I feel that he is gone as I knew him on a personal level and will always be considered as a great man

10/15/2012 4:35 PM - Danielle Knauth

Dr. Young was my instructor during my freshman year of college. He was a gifted teacher, and I enjoyed his class. He seemed to pick up on individual talents quickly, and although we often disagreed, he treated me with respect and always told me to voice my opinion, no matter what it was. Even years after taking his class, he would stop in the hallway and shake my hand and spend a moment catching up. I can honestly say that Dr. Young set the standard of my college undergraduate education, and he remains one of my favorite instructors ever. My condolences go out to his family. He was a great per...

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10/15/2012 3:48 PM - Lalah Butler

"And All That Jazz"

Professor Young's class was always an exciting and intriguing one.From learning the elements of African History to modern day jazz, Professor young's passion was always present. From the way he would get excited when talking about Billie Holiday, and how quick he would be to introduce us to the world of jazz, those are things I am going to miss the most.He had a great chemistry with all students and that spirit he had will never be forgotten. You will be missed Professor.

10/15/2012 2:59 PM - Geoff Hale

One of the Best

An unforgettable part of Utica College. A person that brought interest to class topics and is a character I'll remember for the rest of my life. I'll never forget the time Professor Young had to dismiss the remainder of class because he could not stop laughing about a story told from a student that "always kept a pencil in her back pocket"... for self defense.

10/15/2012 2:03 PM - Pat Swann

Mr. Photographer

I always think of Paul with his camera. He always took photos at events, especially at the AAUP holiday party! He must have a million photos.

He always was willing to shoot the sh*t with you when you passed by his office...always ready with a cheery "hello...how are you?"

I was just at an alumni event this weekend and we were talking about Paul. These recent student alumni told me how hard his African history class was...and how they never studied harder than for that class (12 hours plus for a final that they barely passed). Wow, Paul, I never knew you were such a tough teacher! Ha! But...

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Paul Young Memory Book

Paul Young

Online Memory Book

Thank you.

Remembering a Dear Friend

Remembering Paul Young from a long time ago

Sorry to hear of this loss

Rest In Peace

Miss you so much!

God Bless Professor Young

Remembering Paul

A True Pioneer, Truly Missed...

Young Easy

Professor "Paul" Young

all that jazz

Happy Face

Great Memories

Calm and Inviting

With Deepest Sympathy

A Rare Person

If He Can Do It, You Can Do It!

Ripples of influence.

Influential

Remembering The Inspiring Prof. Young

Cool

An inspiration

Amazing Professor/Mentor

He was my friend

An Inspirational Mentor!

A Gentle Rock

Easy

Inspirational Leader

Historical Hero

"And All That Jazz"

One of the Best

Mr. Photographer

Contact Us

Office of Marketing and Communications

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