Chairman, CEO and President Plastipak Holdings
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
2025
Bio:
As an engineering student at University of Detroit, William C. Young worked at his family’s Absopure Water Company. Immersing himself in the company's operations, he identified a significant challenge: the five-gallon glass jugs of water weighed 50 pounds and were difficult to manage. Absopure initially purchased plastic bottles, but soon realized the benefits of manufacturing their own, so William C. Young and his father, William P. Young, established Plastipak in 1967, setting the stage for remarkable success.
Just five years after founding it, they sold Plastipak and Absopure to Beatrice Foods Co., while retaining an active role in leadership and management. In 1982, they re-acquired both companies.
In 1998, William C. Young became chairman, CEO and president of Plastipak Holdings, the parent company, and today Plastipak is a global leader in sustainable packaging and recycling.
As the driving force behind Plastipak Holdings, Mr. Young’s leadership has earned the company numerous worldwide accolades for innovation and sustainability. He has contributed significantly to various organizations, serving on the boards of Scholarship America and Business Leaders of America, among others. In 2008, he was inducted into the Bottled Water Hall of Fame.
Through both personal donations and the philanthropic efforts of the Young Family Foundation, Mr. Young has supported countless students, including those at University of Detroit Mercy, and he created the Dollars for Scholars Willow Run/Ypsilanti chapter, which provides financial assistance to college-bound students in the community.
A passionate advocate for higher education, Mr. Young served as a trustee for Mercy College of Detroit and then, from 1999-2018, on the University of Detroit Mercy Board of Trustees, chairing the Board from 2006-09. A distinguished 1964 graduate of the College of Engineering & Science, he was recognized for his contributions to the University and community with the Spirit of UDM Alumni Achievement Award on April 11, 2014.
University of Detroit Mercy is proud to bestow William C. Young with the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of his remarkable achievements as an innovator, entrepreneur, and leader. His commitment to sustainability and his philanthropic efforts supporting post-secondary students is an inspiration.
Commencement, University of Detroit Mercy, McNichols Campus,