Stories of Consequence

Why I Give is a series that celebrates the generosity of Washington and Lee University alumni, students, faculty and parents. Discover the many reasons the W&L community supports Leading Lives of Consequence: The Campaign for Washington and Lee and how philanthropy shapes the university’s future while honoring its enduring value.

Paul Youngman is dean of the College and professor of German at Washington and Lee University.

“I hope my support ensures that every student can have what we call the ‘full W&L experience’ — the opportunity not just to take rigorous classes but also to engage in high-impact experiences like research with faculty, internships that shape career goals and study abroad that broadens perspectives.”

- Paul A. Youngman ’87, P’27

What inspired you to make your first gift to Washington and Lee University, and what motivates you to continue giving?

My first gift to Washington and Lee was driven by gratitude. As a student, W&L gave me a transformative education — one that pushed me to think in different ways and to engage deeply with the world. The small classes, the mentorship from faculty — professors [Steve] Stephenson and [Kirk] Follo of the German Department come to mind — and the remarkable sense of belonging in the community all shaped the person I became. Donating to W&L felt like a natural way to say thank you and to pay forward the opportunities I was given. Today, my motivation has only deepened. As a professor and now dean of the College, I see firsthand the impact that philanthropy has on every corner of campus — from funding student research and internships to supporting faculty innovation in the classroom. It’s impossible not to want to be part of that ongoing story of investment in our students’ futures.

How do you hope your support impacts current and future generations of W&L students?

I hope my support ensures that every student can have what we call the “full W&L experience.” That means the opportunity not just to take rigorous classes but also to engage in high-impact experiences like research with faculty, internships that shape career goals and study abroad that broadens perspectives. Ultimately, I want W&L students to graduate not only with a degree but with the confidence and sense of purpose to lead lives of consequence.

As a faculty member, is there a particular student, colleague, or moment at W&L that reaffirmed your decision to give back?

There are many moments, but one that stands out was co-presenting with a student at an international digital humanities conference. Seeing him develop from a hesitant beginner into a confident scholar was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.  Moments like that — students finding their voices, faculty collaborating across disciplines, colleagues supporting one another – constantly reaffirm my decision to give back. They remind me that W&L is at its best when we invest in the students, faculty and staff who make this community so vibrant.

Read more from the Why I Give series.