Contact: Ralph Derickson

William T. Young

“Mr. Young was a true friend to the University of Kentucky and one of its most supportive benefactors. He was instrumental in allowing us to achieve the library that was named for him. He wanted to have a remarkable library, which he didn't think the state would do. That was his kind of project."

-- Lee T. Todd Jr.
president,
University of Kentucky

W.T. Young, former UK President Charles T. Wethington Jr. and former Director of UK Libraries Paul Willis at the ribbon cutting of the William T. Young Library

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 13, 2004) -- William T. Young, successful Lexington businessman and horse farm owner, died at his Florida home Jan. 12. He was known for his philanthropy, including a $5 million gift that provided the seed money for the construction of the University of Kentucky's $58 million William T. Young Library.

Young was appointed to the UK Board of Trustees in September 1980 for a term that would have expired in 1984, but he resigned from the board in July 1981. Young was named to the UK Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 1970.

The UK William T. Young Library has the number one book endowment among all public universities in the nation, as rated by Virginia Polytechnic Institute Survey.

“Mr. Young was a true friend to the University of Kentucky and one of its most supportive benefactors. He was instrumental in allowing us to achieve the library that was named for him. He wanted to have a remarkable library, which he didn't think the state would do. That was his kind of project. Patsy and I consider him a close friend, and he will be missed by the entire UK community,” said UK President Lee T. Todd Jr.

“Bill Young was a remarkable man and an outstanding Kentuckian. He loved this state. He loved Lexington and he loved the University of Kentucky. We have lost a magnificent man that I greatly admired. He can never be replaced but will always be remembered in our hearts,” said Charles T. Wethington Jr., former UK president.

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