The year is 1970. The place is Loyola Hall. Eau de Love permeates the air as music blares from the radios. All around the smell of popcorn intermingles with that of a new smell to Fairfield: hairspray. Loyola 1 was no longer a boy’s floor. It became the haven for the first females that were admitted into Fairfield University.
Among them was Dr. Brenda Young, an African American alumnus of the first female graduating class at Fairfield University in 1974. On Friday, Sept. 13, 2002, at 11 a.m. in Alumni Hall, Young will be this year’s Fairfield University Convocation speaker. In this exclusive interview with The Mirror, Young discusses her life: now and then.
“Fairfield University opened up so much for me,” said Young. “It offered exposure and laid the foundation. My time at Fairfield University is the same as yours. I lived on my own, had responsibility. I had to manage my time and social life. All the things that you do, I did.”
According to Debnam Chappell, dean of freshman, the resounding choice for the convocation was Dr. Young. The feeling was that Young’s life journey was extremely unique. Chappell believes Young’s speech will be meaningful, as well as useful for students to hear.
“She can offer her personal insights and tell of her experiences,” said Chappell. “Fairfield University has changed since 1974 and Dr. Young has the insight as to how it has changed. This is not intended just for the freshman. It is intended for the whole Fairfield community to come together. Everyone should attend. The campus, as well as the roles of men and women on the campus has changed.”
In many ways, this is a homecoming for Dr. Young. After almost 30 years, she will once again step foot onto the campus where she will deliver a speech entitled “My American Journey.” Although previously scheduled as the speaker for the 2001 convocation, Dr. Young was not able to appear due to the tragic events of Sept. 11. This time around, Dr. Young will reflect on her life, from her time at Fairfield University to where she is today, and according to her, “the many angels that were helping me along the way.”
For Young, Fairfield was where her love and appreciation of knowledge all began. An active member of the Fairfield community, she was involved in Playhouse, student government, and was a residence hall representative. She was also part of the Appalachia Volunteers, an early version of Habitat for Humanity. She was on the Food Committee and also did public relations work for the school. “It made life more interesting.” Young said.
In the spirit of the Women’s Lib movement of the 1970’s, Young only now realizes the distinction of being a pioneer in the inaugural coeducational class. “We didn’t think of it as being significant then. It seemed as if we belonged there. It was the spirit of the [Women’s] Movement.” While Young remembers slight animosity, she feels that females were an asset to the campus.
“We were good looking chicks! We took over. We got what we wanted, so I guess there was some jealousy,” she said.
One of her fondest memories of Fairfield University is one that is repeatedly told. “It was finals time,” Young began to explain, “and at around 9 p.m., a guy screamed out his window, ‘It’s 9 o’clock and I have not grasped the material.’ So we all laughed. At 11 o’clock, he screams out the window the same exact thing. Now here we are, smoking Marlboro’s, drinking black coffee, and hoping to get a grasp on this material. Well, finally at 2 o’clock in the morning, the same guy leans out his window and screams, ‘It is two o’clock in the morning and I finally grasped the material.’ That was college life.”
Dr. Young has the uncanny ability of being remarkably in tune with college students. Her speech will undoubtedly strike a chord with the Fairfield Community.
“I want to tell students that you simply never know where things will take you. College is the best and happiest time of life. It is a time to maximize opportunities. Use these years to polish the diamonds that you already are. Do not take friends and professors for granted.”
“Be an angel to somebody else. This is your time.”
The Academic Convocation will be held on Friday, Sept. 13 at 11:00 a.m. in Alumni Hall. Classes will be cancelled from 10:45 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.. All Fairfield students and faculty are urged to attend.
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