Youngstown State University to honor Beebe and Young with Heritage Awards

The late Robert “Bob” Beebe, professor emeritus and founding chair of the first doctoral program at YSU and the late Warren Melvin “Renny” Young, professor emeritus and Ward Beecher Planetarium founder will be recognized as the recipients of the 2024 Youngstown State University Heritage Award during a special presentation at the Board of Trustees meeting 10 a.m., Friday, June 7.

The Heritage Award, established in 1981 is given to former faculty and staff members who have made major contributions during their years of service and is one of the most prestigious awards distributed by the University.

Beebe, originally from Schenectady, New York received a bachelor’s in government and international law and relations from Harvard University and then went on to earn his master’s, certificate of advanced study and doctor of education degree in educational administration from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Throughout his career, Beebe contributed toward the advancement of public schools and educational opportunities, helping to prepare future teachers and administrators working as an Assistant Principal, Principal, Director of Affirmative Action and Personnel Director for the Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools.

He then went on to become a professor of Educational Administration at the University of Mississippi, where he was one of two recipients for the Burlington-Northern Foundation Faculty Achievement Award for his teaching and scholarship.

In 1990 Beebe joined YSU to establish and staff the newly created Department of Educational Administration for its new doctoral program in Educational Administration. He received the chairperson’s leadership award and twice received the Watson Merit Award for department chairs.

Beebe retired from YSU in July 2015.

Young, born in Massillon, Ohio went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in Physics from Case Western Reserve and a doctorate in Astronomy from The Ohio State University.

He began his career working for the Naval Observatory in Washington D.C. In 1962 he began his career at YSU, serving as chair for the Department of Physics and Astronomy and as a faculty member during his tenure. In 1966, Young founded YSU’s Ward Beecher Planetarium.

He was also a published member of the Ohio Cultural Alliances and served as a member of the Mahoning Valley Astronomical Society.

Young retired from full-time teaching at YSU in 2014 but continued to teach part-time through 2019.

Beebe's and Young's names will be etched on the Heritage Wall on campus.