A legacy of giving back

For Alberta School of Business alumnus and Chancellor Emeritus Ralph Young, ‘73 MBA, his early days growing up in Saskatoon laid the foundation for a lifetime of community involvement and philanthropy. 

Following the example of his father, who was active in service clubs, Young recalls childhood experiences in Scouts Canada and with the family’s church, as well as being very active in student government, sports and volunteer activities throughout high school. 

“It came somewhat naturally to know the value of being involved, both in terms of what it did for the community as well as the benefits you received in return – the sense of accomplishment and the sense of contributing back,” he says. “And you meet some wonderful people when you’re involved in community activities.”

The people who have met Young over his five decades in Alberta would certainly agree. Since moving here with his wife Gay in 1969 to enter the MBA program – choosing Edmonton over opportunities in Ontario and the US partly out of a desire to live his life on the prairies – he has established himself as a prominent business leader with a deep commitment to giving back.

The list of organizations Young has impacted with his involvement and generosity is extensive. It includes the Rotary Club of Edmonton, the Edmonton Community Foundation, the Edmonton Elks Football Club, Scouts Canada Northern Lights District, the Edmonton Regional Airports Authority, Telus Edmonton Community Board, the Edmonton Police Foundation, the Citadel Theatre, the Glenrose Hospital Foundation and the Caritas Health Group. 

Through it all, Young has also been one of the U of A’s most consistent supporters. Even in the early years after finishing his schooling – as he embarked on what would become a 42-year career in real estate development with Melcor Developments Ltd. – he always placed importance on finding ways to give back to his alma mater. 

"I started very early and didn’t give much – it may have been $50 or $100 for the first few years,” he recalls. “But I think it’s important always to recognize that philanthropy is something you do to make life better for someone else, even if it’s in a modest way.”

From these modest beginnings, Young’s support for the U of A eventually expanded to include a variety of prominent roles with the institution. He served on the Alumni Council (including as its president), the Senate and the Board of Governors. In 2012, he was chosen to fill one of the university’s highest positions when he was elected the 20th Chancellor.

Young also speaks with pride about his role in helping the U of A Libraries acquire a collection of documents from Major General Sam Steele, an important figure from Canadian and RCMP history. Prior to this, Young had already donated his large private collection of antiquarian books on Western Canadian history to the university.

The Alberta School of Business has been fortunate to maintain a close connection with Young over the years. Along with his role on the Alumni Council, Young served on the Alberta School of Business Advisory Council under both Deans Mike Percy and Joe Doucet. For a decade, he and his wife were major supporters of the MBA Case Competition program started by Dean Percy and established an endowment fund to keep the program going. 

Young was also a champion of the Stan Melton Chair campaign, named in honour of the local businessman who had originally hired Young on at Melcor Developments Ltd. (then known as Melton Real Estate) in 1971. The campaign, which started in 2011, resulted in the creation of Alberta’s first academic real estate program. 

Most recently, Young made a gift to the Carruthers Student Commons initiative that is focused on transforming existing space in the Business building into a modern and bright hub where students can gather to collaborate.

“One of the things I found most beneficial to my experience in the MBA program was the interaction with other students,” he says. “That interaction is important not just from a learning perspective to exchange ideas but to make friendships that will connect you to different parts of the business community throughout your life. It’s a value I hope will be preserved by having this space where students will meet.”

Along with wanting to help current students have the best educational experience possible, Young hopes they will carry forward a spirit of giving back to the community as they set out on their own careers. 

“I think it’s very important to get involved in whatever you feel strongly about and to stick with it,” he says. “ It’s so valuable in terms of what you feel your contribution is, the benefits you receive, the knowledge that you’re helping others, the people you meet who have similar desires and aspirations.” 

“I hope that’s one of the things we learn in business,” he adds. “Not many things in life are free, and it’s important to do your part to contribute to the betterment of our community and our society.”