The University of Aberdeen is very fortunate to have enjoyed a long association with the Young family whose deep and enduring connection to the University spans generations. Brothers Donald (MBChB) and Ken (MA Physics) and Ken’s wife Anne (MA English) all graduated from the University in 1957. Older brother Ian graduated with a BSc Physics in 1954, a PhD in 1958 and was bestowed with an honorary degree in 1992. Their academic achievements continued a family tradition of service and scholarship in Aberdeen as their father, John Young, was a Professor of Pathology at the University and their mother Ruth was instrumental in setting up the children's hospital at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
After moving to the US, Donald, Ken, Anne, and Donald’s wife Silja remained closely connected to the University. They became enthusiastic lifetime donors through the University of Aberdeen Foundation and regular attendees of Aberdeen alumni events. Their commitment to giving back extended further through the establishment of Charitable Remainder Unitrusts (CRUTs). A CRUT is a tax efficient method of charitable giving specific to the US. Set up during someone’s lifetime, a CRUT provides a stream of income to the donor, or someone they designate, and at the end of the trust term, the assets are distributed to a nominated charity.
Following Donald’s death in 2020 and Silja’s shortly after, the CRUT they set up and gifted to the University in their wills is now funding The John & Ruth Young Academic Foundation Research Programme. This supports early career medical researchers, enabling them to gain invaluable research experience working alongside internationally recognised leaders in their field. It provides an integrated training and career development pathway for the brightest minds in medicine, with placements available in Aberdeen or elsewhere, depending on the field of study.
Following her death in 2022, Anne also left a generous legacy. Her CRUT is now enabling the vital conservation of historic manuscripts and the advancement of interdisciplinary research fellowships at the University. Part of Anne’s gift is enabling a specialist conservator to assess the University’s collection of surveyor plans from throughout Scotland which provide hugely significant information about the planning and growth of local towns and villages. Many are manuscript/hand coloured and date from the late 18th to the mid-20th century. Her gift also includes support for interdisciplinary research fellowships at the University, helping us to make new discoveries and develop creative solutions to tackle some of the world’s most urgent challenges.
Ken visits Aberdeen regularly and in 2023 visited campus to view some of the surveyor plans and maps and to discuss the impact of Anne’s legacy gift.
The Young family’s legacy, through both lifetime and planned giving, is having a profound and lasting impact on the University of Aberdeen. Their generosity is advancing research, preserving history, and nurturing the next generation of scholars and scientists. We are very grateful for their support.
Every gift in every will makes a difference and provides you with the opportunity to support the areas of activity where the University can make a significant impact on the world around us. If you would like to speak to someone in confidence about leaving a gift in your will to the University of Aberdeen please contact Vanessa Holmes, Legacy Giving Officer, on +44 (0)1224 274132 or at vanessa.holmes@abdn.ac.uk.
