Former Alumni Association Head Dies

Bryce R. Younts, who led the NC State Alumni Association through a period of unprecedented growth as its executive director for more than 26 years, died Saturday.

Younts, a 1948 graduate, was widely known as “Mr. NC State” on his Alumni Association travels throughout the state. From 1966 to 1992, when he was executive director, alumni donors jumped from 4,000 to 16,000, and the association established awards programs for distinguished teaching, research and extension work by university professors. Younts was instrumental in the creation of the Caldwell Fellows scholarship program, which has provided scholarships, community service opportunities and leadership training for about 1,100 NC State students.

“It was a 24-hours-a-day job for him,” said William H. Dove an architect in Rocky Mount who served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors when Younts was executive director. “And it was fun, too. I’m just amazed at the things that he got accomplished when he was director.”

Smedes York ’63, the chairman of York Properties in Raleigh, was president of the Alumni Association in 1983 and a longtime member of the board during Younts’ tenure. He said Younts was not willing to accept the status quo, noting that he secured a grant to upgrade the quality of the Alumni Association magazine.

NC State recognized Younts’ contributions to NC State in 2004 with the Watauga Medal. He also received the Alumni Association’s Meritorious Service Award in 1997.

Younts majored in agriculture education at NC State and then returned to Davidson County to teach vocational agriculture in public schools for eight years. He later worked for the Chamber of Commerce in Winston-Salem and then with the N.C. Soil and Water Conservation Committee.

Younts is survived by his daughter, Malinda Younts Stallings, husband Les and their daughter, Catie, all of Raleigh; brothers, Eugene Younts, of Athens, Ga.; Richard Younts, of Wilmington, N.C.; and Joel Younts, of Fleetwood, N.C., and by other family and friends.

Services were held this week. Memorial contributions may be made to: Bryce Younts Caldwell Endowment, Contact Cathy Rackley, NC State University, Box 7501, Raleigh, NC 27695 and Highland United Methodist Church, 1901 Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27607.