resident Stacy Hendricks ’96 Young first heard about Manchester from her high school accounting teacher, Marvene Pippenger ’64c. Pippenger would often talk about her alma mater and, according to Young, “it became clear that if you wanted to do accounting in Indiana, you would come to Manchester.”

She quickly became involved on campus, hosting a radio show on Manchester’s radio station, volunteering for admissions, and attending accounting and business club meetings. Her twin sister, Tracy Hendricks ’96 Martin, who initially went to Ball State University, saw how involved Young was at Manchester and decided to transfer. Once she arrived at Manchester, the twins hosted a 50s and 60s radio show together on Sunday nights, which would occasionally have call-ins from professors.

The two also taught aerobics together. One of Young’s most memorable student experiences was having the football team attend their class as part of the team’s spring training.

“They would split the football team; Tracy led half the team and I led half the team,” Young said. “They would come to aerobics class as part of their spring training. That was a hoot!”

In addition to her disc jockey and aerobics experience, Young was an admissions student worker supervised by Jill Biehl, who is still the administrative assistant for admissions today. “She was just as wonderful as she is today,” Young said.

Even with all her extracurricular activities, Young made time to study and attend classes that have continued to impact her.

Professor of Business Timothy Ogden ’87’s management class was her “all-time favorite class” as a student and has remained her favorite class to teach for twenty-five years.

Another influential professor was Arthur Gilbert ’53, professor emeritus of accounting, who Young describes as a “legend.”

“He taught us some really good life lessons,” Young said. “Sometimes it felt like we were trying to solve impossible problems, but I think working through the process of trying to solve it was just as beneficial as solving it. And I think that’s what he was trying to teach us, but we didn’t know it at the time. He was sneaky that way.”

An unfortunately memorable moment in her college career occurred during one of Professor Gilbert’s exams. The night before, she had stayed up quite late studying, and did not realize how ill she had fallen. In the middle of the exam, Young suddenly passed out. It was only afterwards that she found out she had a fever. Despite worries that he would not allow her to retake the exam, Professor Gilbert ultimately let Young make it up. “He was really gracious about it. It was one of those times that I saw him a little bit softer than the normal persona he had.”

Previously the president of Montcalm Community College in Michigan, Young felt called home to Manchester when she heard that the position was opening.

“I kept thinking, ‘I love my job; I don’t need another job.’ But I feel like God wanted me here for a reason, and now I’m here.”

In her first few months back on campus, Young has popularized the phrase “Manchester Magic.” To her, Manchester Magic refers to the things that distinguish Manchester from other college experiences.

“Part of the Manchester Magic is that we take a foundation of classes . . . what I love about it is that Manchester focuses on the whole person,” she said. “You’re not just here for your studies; we want you to be a well-rounded person.”

Manchester has always brought people of all different backgrounds together and helped them find themselves and their passions. “When I was here as a student, there could be completely different opinions and we all still respected and liked each other,” Young said. “All of our worldviews expanded because we were here.”

Even as the University transitions into a new era with a new leader, the magic of Manchester remains. In her brief time as president, Young has already encouraged current students, faculty and staff to think more deeply about what that Manchester Magic is for them. She continues to remind the Manchester community why this place is so special, why so many feel called home.