Mita Young looks forward to letters from her scholars each year.

“Every time I read a letter from a student recipient, I always wonder if they’re older than me,” she laughs.

This 24-year old Exxon-Mobil business systems analyst is no stranger to taking on challenges at a young age.

Immigrating to the U.S. from Indonesia with her family in 1994, Young didn’t allow language and social barriers to slow her down. The ambitious teen never missed an opportunity to exercise her two greatest learned lessons: achievement and honor.
Mita Young


A high school valedictorian at age 16 and Top Ten Senior Woman at OSU, this 2002 Management Information Systems (MIS) alumna solidified herself in history books five months after her college graduation when she became the youngest alumni to endow a scholarship at OSU. All at the tender age of 20.

And she’s not through yet.

In July 2006, Young committed to endowing a second scholarship in honor of retired OSU faculty members Ron and Thora duBois. Thora was Young’s lifelong piano teacher, and Ron taught in the art department.

“I love using this outlet to honor people in my life who value their passion: education. Everyone has different passions and interests, and while they may not be mine, these people do it for the greater good of OSU, not themselves. I want to inspire others to live that same way,” says Young.

This recent gift creates $20,000 in endowed scholarships that Young has committed to the university in the past three years.

So how can someone so young recognize the value of serving others so early in their career?

“My parents were the first in their family to get an education, and it was always instilled in us what a privilege education was,” said Young. “I’ve always known that I wanted to create a lasting legacy at OSU, and with my company’s support, I was able to do it much earlier than expected.”

Companies with matching gift programs provide the opportunity for young professionals to become philanthropy-centered at a young age.

The Spears School of Business (SSB) boasts nine endowed scholarships in the past decade from SSB alumni who made their gift three or less years after graduation. These individuals have donated the $10,000 minimum to endow a scholarship within the school with the help of their company’s matching gift program.

“Companies who provide a matching program enable these students to become successful professionals and good corporate citizens,” remarked Joe Haney, Associate Vice President of Development for SSB. “Embracing philanthropy at such a young age reflects the character of our students. I believe the OSU experience helped shape that character.”

For Mita, the potential to impact one life sows a seed that she hopes will inspire future generations.

“My current endowments are merely a start of a lifelong ‘relationship’ with OSU. I still have a long career ahead of me, and I plan to honor all of the special people in my life this way - one at a time” she smiles.

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