Helen M. Young, 99, died on Thursday, Nov. 30. Young was best known as the founder and first president of Associated Women for Pepperdine (AWP) as well as the former first lady of the university.
“I don’t believe I have ever known a person as gracious and welcoming as Helen Young,” current president Andrew K. Benton said in a statement on the university website.
Originally from Oklahoma City, Young moved to the then-George Pepperdine College. She met and married the university’s history professor, M. Norvel Young.
According to the Pepperdine website, the Youngs were invited to serve as the university’s third president and first lady, where they remained for 41 years.
Young launched AWP in 1958 to “use the power of women in support of Christian higher education” and raise funds for scholarships.
She is survived by two of her daughters, one son, 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the AWP, either through c-fund.us/e7u or via mail (24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90263).
A funeral arrangement has been set for January in the Elkins auditorium at Pepperdine University; additional details will be available in the upcoming weeks.