YSU President Seal
Strategic planning team prepares for YSU’s future

“Things change quickly, we’ve got to make sure now, as we move forward into strategic planning for 2020 and beyond that we get input from everywhere, that we get real, verifiable data to help us make good decisions.” – President Jim Tressel at the 2018 State of the University.

The strategic planning process at YSU is underway! Strategic planning creates a space for informed collaboration and becomes the roadmap that guides the university into the future.

As the Strategic Planning Organization Team ramps up its work on the next strategic plan, they are reaching out to constituents whose ideas will help to shape the plan. A strong strategic plan becomes the roadmap that guides the university into the future. It can also strengthen the culture of community and enable academic excellence and student success.

We need to hear from you!

YSU alumni are an important part of this process, and we want your voice to be heard. Visit www.ysu.edu/strategic-planning to answer questions and learn more about the process.

University earns HLC reaccreditation

The Higher Learning Commission has affirmed YSU's accreditation through the year 2027, noting that the university is well-managed, extensively engaged and clearly focused on student success.

“The Higher Learning Commission’s stamp of approval means that students attending YSU can rest assured that they are receiving educational services, both inside and outside the classroom, that meet or exceed quality standards set for institutions across higher education,” President Jim Tressel said.

A team of HLC reviewers from across the country visited YSU in March, and the commission officially affirmed a positive result in August, scheduling the next comprehensive accreditation review for 2027.

Spiegel named first global trustee

Mahoning Valley native Eric A. Spiegel, past president and chief executive of Siemens USA, has been named the first national/global trustee at YSU. Spiegel is a native of Poland and graduate of Poland Seminary High School. He received an honorary doctorate of Business Administration from YSU in May 2015, when he served as the keynote speaker at spring commencement.

National/global trustees are appointed by the board on the basis of success in their field, state or national prominence, ability to advocate for higher education, and their ability to offer advice to the board and university president. They are appointed to three-year terms and do not have voting privileges.

Meanwhile, Gov. John Kasich has appointed Rocco L. Core of Mineral Ridge as the newest student trustee for a two-year term. Core is expected to graduate in Spring 2020 and has served as a member of the YSU Academic Senate, Student Nursing Association, Physical Plant Advisory Council and a variety of university committees.

30 from around the world

Thirty teachers and scholars, from Iran and South Korea to Oregon and Tennessee, joined the YSU faculty for the 2018-19 academic year. The faculty are in several different academic disciplines, including Mathematics, English, Nursing, Accounting and Education.

Among the new arrivals are Hoda Atef Yetka and Nazanin Naderi, who studied Industrial Engineering together more than a decade ago at the Tehran Polytechnic Institute in Iran, but had not seen each other until their paths crossed here on campus at orientation for new faculty. Atef Yetka teaches in the Management department, and Naderi is in Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering.

NUMBERS ON THE RISE ALL OVER CAMPUS

In Memoriam

YSU is mourning the loss of two individuals who made a significant and lasting impact on the university—distinguished professor of geology, Ray Beiersdorfer, and former athletic director, Joe Malmisur.

Beiersdorfer, at the age of 61, passed away Oct. 11 after suffering a heart attack several weeks prior. More than 300 friends and loved ones paid tribute to him during a celebration of his life, coordinated by his family and colleagues. Those who knew the environmental activist and longtime faculty member describe him as “larger than life” and say he will not soon be forgotten.

Malmisur, longtime supporter of YSU Athletics, passed away Oct. 14 at the age of 89. As YSU director of Athletics from 1983 until 1994, he witnessed three Penguin football national championship games and two championship victories during that time. In 1995, he was inducted into the YSU Athletics Hall of Fame for his contributions, which continued after retirement.

Joe Mosca named interim provost

YSU faculty member and administrator, Joe Mosca, is serving the university as interim provost. Mosca joined the YSU faculty in 1989 and has been the dean of the Bitonte College of Health and Human Services since 2009. Mosca earned all of his degrees in Social Work—a doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh in 1992, a master’s degree from the University of Illinois, Chicago, in 1981, and a bachelor’s degree from UIC in 1980.
Lou Harris delivers remarks during the ceremony to rename the Respiratory Care Program in his honor.

Respiratory Care earns national award, honors its founder with naming

The newly-named Lou Harris Respiratory Care Program has received the 2018 Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success Award from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care. The award from CoARC takes into consideration the extent to which a program inspires its graduates to achieve their highest educational and professional aspirations.

Earlier this year, the program was named in honor of Lou Harris, professor emeritus and founder of the program. YSU offers both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Respiratory Care.

Grant support grows for ninth consecutive year

YSU continues to tap into external funding sources to help bolster its budget. This year, the university earned nearly $9 million in research and service grants, the highest amount in nine years.

“Our success in attracting sponsored program funding positively impacts the university, our students and thousands of people across our community, and also affirms that we are an emerging research institution,” said Mike Hripko, associate vice president for External Affairs, Government Relations and Economic Development.

The YSU Office of Research Services’ fiscal year 2018 report shows faculty and staff were awarded 94 grants totaling $8.9 million during fiscal year 2018. By comparison, there were 60 grant awards totaling $4.6 million during fiscal year 2015.

Students explore an underwater cave on one of The Bahamas research trips led by Ron Shaklee, professor and chair of Geography.

Faculty honored for study abroad efforts

The YSU Faculty Development Committee and the International Programs Office honored nine faculty members for their repeated service leading student study trips to countries across the globe. Just last year, YSU offered a dozen faculty-led experiences abroad to places like The Bahamas, China, Costa Rica and France.

These faculty members received awards—

Ron Shaklee - 30 years, Geography
Jeffrey Dick - 25 years, Geology
Tom Delvaux - 15 years, Archeology/Anthropology
Matt O’Mansky - 10 years, Archeology/Anthropology
Pamela Schuster - 10 years, Nursing
Ray Beiersdorfer - 10 years, Geology
Carl Johnston - 5 years, Biology
Max Grubb - 5 years, Communication
Audrey Ellenwood - 5 years, Teacher Education


YSU students partner to restore Stambaugh staircase and façade

Engineering Technology students are playing a leading role in restoring an iconic Youngstown landmark - the Fifth Avenue grand staircase and front façade at historic Stambaugh Auditorium.

Students in the Civil and Construction Engineering Technology program will work with professional consultants on the $2.5 million project that will return the steps and façade to their original 1926 grandeur.

A gift by Youngstown-area businessman Henry H. Stambaugh made the 2,553-seat concert hall possible in 1926. The auditorium was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

YSU student teachers carry big impact

More than 600 student teachers at YSU are placed in nearly three dozen school districts throughout the region and deliver an economic impact of close to $4 million a year, a new study says.

“Our teachers-in-training have a significant impact on the communities, the school districts and, most importantly, the children that they serve throughout the region,” said , dean of the Beeghly College of Education at YSU.

The analysis by the State University Education Deans shows YSU teacher candidates completed nearly 147,000 hours of service in school districts throughout the region during the 2016-17 school year for an economic impact of $3.95 million.

WYSU fund drive results

YSU’s WYSU-FM 88.5 raised $125,317 in its fall membership drive. Nearly 980 people made contributions, including 71 new members, during the three-and-a-half-day drive last month. The drive featured daily prize package giveaways and a grand prize trip for two to Spain, won by WYSU listener Carl Bauer of Canfield.

Library project makes historical information available to all

Maag Library’s University Archives have digitized another piece of YSU’s history in the form of past course catalogs. Beginning with the 1930-31 academic year, the catalogs are available on Digital.Maag. The graduate course catalogs starting in 1968 have also been scanned.

The catalogs contain information about the university, faculty members and academic degree programs. Cassie Nespor of University Archives said the bulletins might be helpful for students looking up old course descriptions when they start graduate school, apply for jobs, etc. They also document the changes in degree programs and courses at the university.

Grant support grows for ninth consecutive year

YSU continues to tap into external funding sources to help bolster its budget. This year, the university earned nearly $9 million in research and service grants, the highest amount in nine years.

“Our success in attracting sponsored program funding positively impacts the university, our students and thousands of people across our community, and also affirms that we are an emerging research institution,” said Mike Hripko, associate vice president for External Affairs, Government Relations and Economic Development.

The YSU Office of Research Services’ fiscal year 2018 report shows faculty and staff were awarded 94 grants totaling $8.9 million during fiscal year 2018. By comparison, there were 60 grant awards totaling $4.6 million during fiscal year 2015.

Pete’s Pride serves campus, community

Pete’s Pride, YSU’s alumni and friends volunteer initiative, is engaging in two new service opportunities on campus by making donations to the YSU career closet and the Student Government Association food pantry. The two student resources are located in the Lariccia Lounge inside Kilcawley Center.

Pete’s Pride promotes the value of a YSU education by demonstrating the university’s commitment to making a difference. Since its inception in 2014, the group has completed more than 6,300 hours of service to campus and the community.

For more information about helping with the career closet or food pantry, email Brittany Defibaugh, 2017, coordinator of Alumni Engagement, at petespride@ysu.edu.

To receive the Pete’s Pride newsletter, visit petespride.ysu.edu.

A Note from the Editor

Dear Readers,

I am excited to introduce myself as the new editor of your YSU Magazine. Storytelling has been at the heart of everything I have done professionally, and I feel privileged to have this opportunity to help share your stories.

My career started with a decade in local television news followed by the last eight years in YSU Alumni Relations and University Events. When I traveled for alumni chapter events, a common theme always seemed to emerge—alumni everywhere are extremely proud of and thankful for their YSU education. In some cases, they didn’t fully appreciate the quality of their experience until years after graduation.

Gratitude. You hear more about it these days, as we try to slow down and focus on what truly matters in life. I hope this season of giving thanks may be an opportunity for each of you to reflect on what makes you most grateful.

I look forward to hearing…and telling…your stories as we begin this journey together.

Yours in Penguin pride,
Mollie Hartup, 2002 BA, 2004 MBA
Editor

YSU Magazine Survey

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