Ben McCready
Irvin and Fern Young Portrait
The Irvin L. Young Auditorium is named in honor of a man whose name has long been associated with philanthropy and humanitarianism throughout the state of Wisconsin and around the world.
With a strong entrepreneurial spirit and clear sense of purpose, Mr. Young used his time and talents to establish and support Christian mission hospitals and clinics throughout central Africa. As a result of that dedication and spirit, untold thousands have been positively affected by Mr. Young’s life and work.
That positive spirit is kept alive today through the benevolence of the Irvin L. Young Foundation of Palmyra, Wisconsin. Through this foundation, hospitals, schools and clinics continue to receive needed support.
Mr. Young dedicated his life and income to serving others. Through the generous support of his foundation, that service now extends to the campus, community and thousands of people from southeastern Wisconsin who will be served by the Irvin L. Young Auditorium.
With a strong entrepreneurial spirit and clear sense of purpose, Mr. Young used his time and talents to establish and support Christian mission hospitals and clinics throughout central Africa. As a result of that dedication and spirit, untold thousands have been positively affected by Mr. Young’s life and work.
That positive spirit is kept alive today through the benevolence of the Irvin L. Young Foundation of Palmyra, Wisconsin. Through this foundation, hospitals, schools and clinics continue to receive needed support.
Mr. Young dedicated his life and income to serving others. Through the generous support of his foundation, that service now extends to the campus, community and thousands of people from southeastern Wisconsin who will be served by the Irvin L. Young Auditorium.
James Connor Portrait
11th Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater (1974-1991)
Chancellor James R. Connor enthusiastically embraced the initiative to build a new auditorium at the university. A staunch supporter of the arts throughout his career, Connor provided the leadership to build the public/private partnership that made the auditorium possible. He worked diligently to guide the project through the many steps of the approval process. A ground-breaking ceremony for the Irvin L. Young Auditorium was held in the spring of 1991 shortly before Chancellor Connor’s retirement.
Chancellor James R. Connor enthusiastically embraced the initiative to build a new auditorium at the university. A staunch supporter of the arts throughout his career, Connor provided the leadership to build the public/private partnership that made the auditorium possible. He worked diligently to guide the project through the many steps of the approval process. A ground-breaking ceremony for the Irvin L. Young Auditorium was held in the spring of 1991 shortly before Chancellor Connor’s retirement.
Lorraine Gross Portrait
Founding director of the Irvin L. Young Auditorium (1992-1998)
Lorraine Gross served the university from 1968 until 1998 as a faculty member, Associate Dean of the College of the Arts, and as Director of Cultural Affairs. In the early 1980’s she envisioned a new auditorium for the campus to replace the old facility in Hyer Hall. In subsequent years, her steadfast advocacy and tireless work played a major role in the success of the public/private partnership that enabled the creation fo the Irvin L. Young Auditorium. The auditorium opened under her direction in 1993.
Lorraine Gross served the university from 1968 until 1998 as a faculty member, Associate Dean of the College of the Arts, and as Director of Cultural Affairs. In the early 1980’s she envisioned a new auditorium for the campus to replace the old facility in Hyer Hall. In subsequent years, her steadfast advocacy and tireless work played a major role in the success of the public/private partnership that enabled the creation fo the Irvin L. Young Auditorium. The auditorium opened under her direction in 1993.