[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 30 (Wednesday, March 18, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E412]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SALUTE TO NORVEL YOUNG

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 18, 1998

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to a public 
servant who gave so much of himself to his community, and to education. 
Norvel Young, or as he is known, ''Mr. Pepperdine`` recently died, 
leaving a legacy of dedication and commitment to education.
  Norvel Young has filled many jobs. He was a Christian minister, a 
magazine publisher, a university president and chancellor, a father, 
and a husband. He will be remembered for his devotion in all of these 
roles, but what the public will recall most is his vision and behind-
the-scenes efforts that have made Pepperdine University one of the 
finest educational institutions in the country.
  Starting his life-long relationships with Pepperdine in 1938, Norvel 
Young became a Pepperdine history professor at 23 years old--two years 
after earning a bachelor's degree from Abilene Christian College. After 
about three years at Pepperdine, Norvel and his wife, Helen, answered 
the call to ministry, moving to Nashville, Tennessee, where he preached 
for a church. Norvel and Helen dedicated 13 years solely to the 
ministry, while playing an instrumental role in founding a children's 
home, raising money for war-torn Europe, and establishing Lubbock 
Christian University. Expanding his ministries, Norvel also founded and 
edited two denominational magazines, 20th Century Christian, and Power 
for Today.
  In 1957, Norvel returned to Pepperdine upon the request of Mr. George 
Pepperdine, who was looking for a business-minded educated to pull 
Pepperdine out of severe financial stress. Norvel accepted the 
challenge and became Pepperdine's third president, quickly bringing the 
university out of financial hardship. Norvel served as president until 
1971, when he became chancellor. Although he officially retired in 
1984, he never stopped being a strong advocate and benefactor for the 
university, donating $2 million of his own money for Pepperdine's 
Center for Family Life.
  Norvel was instrumental in raising money and recruiting quality 
students and faculty, building enrollment from 950 students to 9,500. 
In addition, he moved the school from its former 34-acre location to 
its renowned 830-acre campus in Malibu, and opened new schools of 
business, law, graduate studies, and studies abroad. Norvel took 
Pepperdine to new heights which may have seemed so impossible during 
the university's hard times. He took a small Christian school with 
modest holdings and turned Pepperdine into one of the most respected 
and prestigious educational institutions in the Nation.
  There is no doubt that Norvel Young brought prosperity and important 
new ideas for Pepperdine. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy of 
Christian ministry and educational excellence will continue to benefit 
Pepperdine University, and all the lives who were touched by Norvel 
Young.

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