Young Elected Chairman Of Spartanburg County Commission for Higher Education
September 15, 2011
SPARTANBURG, SC – September 15, 2011 – Thomas R. Young, III was recently elected to serve as chair of the Spartanburg County Commission for Higher Education. His term as chair began in August 2011.
“Tommy Young’s record of service as a citizen of Spartanburg sets an example for all of us,” said Tom Moore, chancellor of USC Upstate. “Clearly, he knows everyone in this part of the state, and he works tirelessly toward improving the quality of life for all citizens. I cannot imagine a more committed and effective leader for the Spartanburg County Commission for Higher Education, and I look forward to working with Mr. Young.”
Young, who is chairman and CEO of Young Holding and Young Office, was appointed to serve on the Commission in February 2007. Members are appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of a majority of the resident members of the House of Representatives and the Senate from Spartanburg County.
The Commission was established in 1967 by the South Carolina Legislature to serve as lead advocate for the interest and advancement of the University of South Carolina Upstate with regional legislative delegations, with all constituencies of USC Upstate and with the public and to actively involve the Commission for Higher Education Advisory Board in that effort.
The roles of Commission members include a number of important duties including serving in an advisory role to the Chancellor on all matters of institutional importance, providing recognition of service contributions to the University, assisting with the acquisition of land, supporting capital facilities development and participating in the campus master plan design and approval process. Commission members are also called upon to bring greetings and congratulations at spring commencement exercises and December convocations for graduates.
“Over the life of our University, the Commission has maintained a close relationship with members of Spartanburg County Council and the Spartanburg County Legislative Delegation, for the purpose of keeping these key leaders informed and engendering support regarding the opportunities and challenges facing USC Upstate,” said John Perry, executive director of university boards and public affairs at USC Upstate.
In addition to serving on the Commission, Young is chairman of the Arts Partnership of Greater Spartanburg and serves on the Boards of Spartanburg Regional Medical Center Foundation, Spartanburg County Foundation, Spartanburg Hospital for Restorative Care, and The Piedmont Club. Previously Young has served as board chairman to the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce, USC Upstate Foundation, Spartanburg Regional Medical Center Foundation, and Mountainview Nursing Home. He has served as president of The Rotary Club of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Citadel Club and United Way of the Piedmont. Young has previously served on the boards of Presbyterian Communities of S.C., YMCA of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Boys Home, American Cancer Society, Boy Scouts of America, Arts Council of Spartanburg, and Spartanburg Country Club. He is the recipient of the Neville Holcombe Distinguished Citizenship Award.
