Among the finalists for the U.'s top job was a "progressive woman," who was not only dean of the University of California at Los Angeles' law school, but also had been provost of Dartmouth College, she said.

Young was a little-known California native whose strong Utah ties (Young is a Mormon and a Brigham Young University graduate) Martinez and others evaluated with a mixture of optimism and apprehension.

But soon after Young became president, he attended a program at which Martinez gave what she describes as a "gutsy talk" about race, class and gender. She concluded that in the grand scheme of what it means to be American, "we all are wetbacks."

Young neither cringed nor ran away, Martinez said. "He could have been milquetoast about it, and he wasn't. He liked the fact that I am an outspoken Latina."

It's Young's approachable style that seems to be softening early concerns that he may let his religion and direct bloodline to LDS prophet Brigham Young unduly influence his leadership of the state's major academic and research institution.

Such concerns have proved to be nonissues, said John Francis, U. associate vice president for academic affairs and undergraduate studies.

"[Young's] professional life was groomed on the nation's East Coast and in Japan," Francis said. "This is a man who is comfortable with all people and cultures."

To his credit, Young hasn't spent any of his diplomatic capital attacking issues left over from previous administrations, such as a perception by some that practicing Mormons face a bias from secular-minded staff and students.

"The signal from my office is clear: There is no anti-Mormon bias on this campus, nor is there a pro-Mormon bias," he said the first week on the job. "The goal is to make everyone at the U., whatever their beliefs, equally comfortable on campus."

Comments such as this are just one reason the U.'s 14th president is getting high marks.

Young has shown himself to be a quick study. He spent the past year learning the inner workings of the state's flagship university from the medical school to the fine arts, spokeswoman Coralie Alder said.

"He brings enthusiasm to the job and he has an appreciation for the university and the work people are doing here," she said.

Even folks outside the U. applaud Young's charisma and diplomatic skills, especially with lawmakers who control the U.'s budget.

He will not take on legislators like predecessor Bernie Machen did. That's not his style. He is in for the long haul and will avoid controversy.

In his first year, Young created a Cabinet-level post and chose Kim Wirthlin - the U.'s health sciences' legislative and public relations boss - to be his ambassador to the Utah Legislature and congressional delegation.

Rep. Greg Hughes has no argument with Young's approach.

The Draper Republican has been impressed in his brief interactions with the new U. boss. Young, he said, seems to understand the responsibility lawmakers have for the entire state.

"I don't feel any of the adversarial posturing that was so evident in other [U.] administrations," said Hughes, a member of the higher education appropriations committee.

Young has chosen to focus on the U.'s core missions: teaching and research. He has built a coalition of elected officials, organizations and business leaders to embrace his vision of making the state's largest university a hallmark of great research that contributes to Utah's economic development.

His mantra sounds more like that of an entrepreneur than an educator. The two, he says, are not mutually exclusive.

After 12 months on the job, Young quietly has changed the U.'s conversation away from the old wedge issues. Utahns on and off the campus now talk about the university as a driver of the state's economy.

"The goal is to develop things thought of by pointy-headed professors that will help make people healthier and happier, more productive and have fuller and richer lives," Young said.

Over the past two decades, research professors have made a "slight paradigm shift," Young said. Most professors have a passion for seeing their work go from the laboratory to the marketplace, he added.

The universities that are best suited and structured to do that are the most attractive, Young explained. The U. has hired an engineering professor from the University of California at Berkeley and is on the "cusp of snatching superstars" from other places, as well, he noted.

"They are coming to us now because this is the place for the work they're doing to get out," Young said. "If we can help facilitate getting their ideas from the test labs to the bedside, it changes lives."

To achieve that end, Young created a new post and tapped David Eccles School of Business Dean Jack Brittain to head up all aspects of U. research with potential for commercialization. As the new vice president for technology venture development, Brittain will oversee the creation of new patents, companies and technology, specifically those in health sciences and engineering.

"We have looked at the university role in contributing to the state's economy," Brittain said. "For us, it's creating companies with high-quality jobs that have headquarters in the state, pay taxes in the state and employ our students."

In the past, the U. licensed a lot of technologies that went out of state, Brittain said. Now the university is focused on forming companies around those new technologies in Utah.

Brittain and Young point to companies such as ARUP Laboratories and Myriad Genetics that began with U. research.

Young has been a great supporter of ARUP, said Carl R. Kjeldsberg, chief executive and chairman of the Salt Lake City-based firm born of the U.'s pathology department. ARUP started in 1984 with 19 employees. Today, it's a national laboratory, employing nearly 1,800 Utahns.

"We have annual revenue over $230 million and most of it comes from out of state," Kjeldsberg said. "The university is extremely valuable when it comes to contributing to Utah's economy."

sykes@sltrib.com

Michael Young makes his mark

Although he hasn't made significant changes during his first year, President Michael Young is putting his stamp on the state's premier research university by:

Requiring students to fulfill an international course to earn a bachelor's degree, beginning in the fall of 2007.

Launching a new technology ventures office aimed at turning U. research ideas into licenses or companies.

Creating a Cabinet-level post to serve as a liaison to the Utah Legislature and the state's congressional delegation.

Hiring the first black dean at the U.

What people say about Michael Young

"He has had tremendous campus presence; he shows up for everything. Although he hasn't set off any fireworks, he has made some structural changes. He is taking his time, getting to know people and building trust."

John Poelman, U. student vice president

"Not to be critical of other [U.] presidents, but the communication level has been elevated with this president. Whether we agree or disagree on issues, he is always pleasant and professional."

Utah House Speaker Greg Curtis

"I am thrilled with his broader interest in the community and the state. His support for our program has been everything I would have hoped it would be."

Irene Fisher, director University/Neighborhood Partners, Salt Lake City (A joint education and service partnership between the city's west-side residents and the U.)

"He seems to be fulfilling the commitments he made to me. He has been open and responsive when I had questions. He's the best I have seen up there over the past 10 to 20 years."

State Sen. Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville

"He's working hard, having a great time and making inroads into the things he wants to do. From what I hear, he's well-liked up there, although I hope he manages to screw up the [bowl-winning U.] football team."

Craig Young, Michael Young's brother, Utah County

"He has done a good job in identifying diversity as one of his key issues. I am looking to see how that plays out in terms of administrative support, resources and programs for students."

Debra Daniels, director U. Women's Resource Center