OU celebrates naming gift for Honors College

College students within the Oakland College Honors Faculty will profit from the beneficiant reward from a pair who’ve watched the college develop for 3 many years.

At OU’s board assembly on Friday, the college accepted a $10 million donation from Walt and Donna Younger and the Honors Faculty has been renamed of their honor.

“You take a look at (the Youngs) and after they’re round college students, they simply mild up and it is like all the pieces is fantastic on the planet,” stated Graeme Harper, dean of the Honors Faculty. “They mainly need to assist college students do issues. They only imagine in schooling. They’re improbable.”

“We needed to present this to a confirmed group that has the suitable values ​​and has confirmed they’ll execute on them, and we sit up for seeing the advance,” stated Walt Younger. “That is like an funding and he (Harper) can get outcomes.”

Walt Younger, 81, was appointed to the Oakland College Basis Board in 1997. That is when he and his spouse Donna, additionally 81, made their first reward to OU.

The couple, who dwell in Bloomfield Hills, have established a scholarship of their title to offer monetary help to check overseas. It

Practically 300 Honor Faculty college students have acquired scholarships since its founding in 2008.

“We did this to assist college students construct character, particularly empathy,” Walt Younger stated of why the couple began the scholarship fund. “We imagine that when individuals are uncovered to completely different cultures, they pay attention higher, have a unique sensitivity and have a greater view of different folks and that they are going to be higher performers and leaders sooner or later.”

Walt Younger began his profession within the tire trade and labored his method up by the corporate. He was vice chairman at BF Goodrich Co., Worldwide Tire Group and Budd Co. earlier than turning into group president of the Henley Undertaking, chairman and CEO of Redman Industries, Inc., president of Houses America, Inc. and CEO of Champion Industries.

In 2003, he centered on entrepreneurial startups, primarily within the life sciences, main 80 completely different entities and aiding in elevating greater than $100 million in capital.

He additionally served on the boards of a number of organizations, together with Gleaners Neighborhood Meals Financial institution, the place he was an advisor, chairman and trustee.

Walter and Donna acquired an honorary doctorate in humanities from the OU in 2023.

“They see the Honors Faculty not solely as a spot of educational distinction, however as a dynamic neighborhood,” Younger’s daughter, Michelle Bueltel, stated in a press release to the board. “One which promotes curiosity, empathy, resilience and a spirit of innovation.”

Walt Younger stated he was impressed with OU President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz and the route the college has taken lately.

“Increased schooling establishments have misplaced their focus and mission over the previous decade and Oakland (College) has sharpened their focus to offer a broader tradition that gives management and builds character of their graduates,” he stated. “So many different establishments have tousled, however they’ve stored their focus.”

Walt Younger stated he has seen the honors school develop underneath the management of Harper, who got here to the college in 2011.

“He has performed an exceptional job constructing an honor faculty from nearly nothing to a spot among the many high nationwide honor faculties in each high quality and amount,” he stated. “We had been impressed that he took it to that stage, but additionally impressed that he needs to be one of the best within the area.”

A report 644 freshmen enrolled this 12 months within the Honors Faculty from 267 excessive faculties in 15 states and 12 international locations. The common grade level common for the Fall 2025 course is 4.0 and enrollment is up 30% from final 12 months. There at the moment are 2,400 college students enrolled on the college.

“For longer than I’ve been alive, the Younger’s have been dedicated to enhancing the lives of OU college students and with this reward they’re giving numerous college students their first alternative to make tangible, constructive impacts in our neighborhood,” stated Honors Faculty pupil Mathew Seidel. “We’re honored to be a part of your legacy.”

“Donna and Walt Younger embody OU’s most passionate advocates and supporters. They’re humbled of their service to our college students and within the impression they make in the neighborhood round them,” stated Pescovitz. “I’m honored that we are able to steward their legacy, a legacy that values ​​worldly experiences, offers college students with the instruments to grow to be lively companions in constructing a vibrant neighborhood, and encourages exploration and interdisciplinary pondering.”

Younger stated he had not given Harper or the college any particular requests about how the donation ought to be spent.

“I belief Graeme will use it in one of the best pursuits of the college. This isn’t nearly maintaining the (research overseas) scholarship fund going,” Younger stated. “Graeme’s aim is to make (OU) the primary honors faculty within the nation and from what I’ve seen, he’ll do this someday.”

OU has not had a named college/faculty since its founding in 1957.

Initially revealed: October 17, 2025 at 5:55 PM EDT