Jan Young - The Queen of FERPA Retires
Jan Young
Her coworkers call her a great friend. Erin Rowley, who worked as a staff assistant for Young said, “When working at the college, Jan was very knowledgeable in her field, she helped so many coworkers, but most of all the students. Jan is a busy person between work, volunteering, being a small business owner and holding various positions in her church and city, she cared for everyone.”
Young gave 100 percent in everything she did. She led the college in the Banner conversion, and the merger with USU Banner. She single-handedly earned the institution a Military Friendly School Designation. She was the expert at the institution – and statewide – in everything from regent’s policies, FERPA, residency, athletic eligibility, transcripts, graduation and international students, to name a few.
She was instrumental in her community and donated countless hours to the Children Justice Center, The Dino-Mine Park, baseball at all levels (Little League, American Legion, USU Eastern, etc.), Carbon County’s Planning and Zoning Commission, Ascension St. Matthews Church, the pancake breakfast, Price City and so much more.
Debbie Boone, who Young supervised, said, “Jan’s been the best of the best supervisors.” She noted her work with veterans, saying, “She took a lot of pride working with veterans and advising them and easing the transition from military service to academics. She took the time to work with them when they came into her office setting aside other things. She has even gone out of her way to follow up on those who were struggling when they had come home from serving our country. She loved her veterans and I admired her dedication to those who served our country.”
Young served on countless statewide boards and committees, ranging from UACRAO, ACT, Residency Officers, and many more. But what really stands out about Young, is how much she cared about those around her. Cirie Noyes, “Jan was one who always looked out for her staff and supported us in whatever our dreams were. No one is perfect and she sometimes reminded me of that whenever I made a certain mistake. Sometimes she would point her finger with her eye glasses to her nose and in a humorous teacher-like way say; ‘Don’t ever do that again,’ but I always knew she had my back.”
As the queen of FERPA retired, a hole is left at USU Eastern that cannot be filled. Others will come and take on the day-to-day duties, but Young will forever be one of the cornerstones that the institution of USU Eastern was built upon.
~ Loren Miller