The Office of Alumni Engagement’s Alumni Spotlight videos showcase a wide variety of graduates engaged in noteworthy work around the world. Here's a sampling. Stay tuned for more on Alumni Engagement’s website or on AE’s Facebook page.
Christopher J. Dussel ’04, ‘21, chief medical officer, University Hospitals Parma Medical Center, two-time YSU graduate, bachelor’s in Chemistry in 2004 and MBA in Management in 2021.
Patty Flauto ’76, BFA in Studio Art, abstract painter with a wide-ranging career, including an exhibition at YSU’s McDonough Museum of Art this summer.
Ryan Portela ’18, bachelor’s in Political Science and Geography, served in the Army as a human resource specialist and is currently in New York as program director for Worldwide Business Research.
James Suggs ’03, adjunct professor of jazz trumpet and ensembles, University of South Florida, active performer whose debut album reached #16 on the national jazz chart.
Mara Banfield '20, doctorate in Educational Leadership, director of the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center and superintendent of the Valley STEM Academy.
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Half Century Club Celebration
Calling all members of the Class of 1972 and earlier graduating classes! Celebrate your milestone 50th anniversary at the Half Century Club Celebration Thursday, Oct. 13 in Stambaugh Auditorium in Youngstown. Class of 1972 member Dr. Cynthia Anderson, YSU president emeritus, is the featured speaker. Earlier graduating class members are also encouraged to attend the reunion.
You’ll also enjoy reserved seating at the Thomas Colloquium lecture featuring John Hope Bryant. Bryant is an American entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, and prominent thought leader on financial inclusion, economic empowerment, and financial dignity.
Reception at 4:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the lecture at 7 p.m. Make your reservation! Email habelgin@ysu.edu or call 330-941-1591 if you’ve had a recent change of mailing or email address to be sure you receive an invitation.
Homecoming 2022
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Come back to campus for Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 15:
Noon. Catch the festive floats, marching bands, classic cars and more when the Homecoming parade travels Fifth Avenue.
12:30 p.m. Celebrate with a family-friendly “indoor tailgate,” featuring a Taste of the South buffet. The price of $20 for adults and $15 for kids 12 and younger includes lunch, a reserved seat in the home-side stands and a YSU-themed giveaway. Other activities include the Kids’ High Five Tunnel and participation by Maag Library’s Archives and Special Collections. Reservations here.
Interested in giving back to your alma mater by volunteering alongside fellow Penguins? Upcoming volunteer opportunities with Pete’s Pride include serving our community and sharing your Penguin Pride with potential students.
Pete's Pride will participate in the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley's monthly Satur-Day of Caring on Saturday, Sept. 17. Volunteers unload, pack, and deliver food to more than 400 seniors, shut-ins and families in need. Volunteer shifts between 8 a.m. and noon at Southwoods Executive Center, 100 DeBartolo Place, Boardman, Ohio. Register here.
You can help recruit new students from anywhere by participating in the Pete’s Pride postcard writing campaign. Share your love for YSU and encourage admitted students to join the Penguin family! The postcard writing campaign will resume in October. Sign-up for postcard writing.
Not on the Pete’s Pride email list? Email petespride@ysu.edu with your current contact information and interest in getting involved.
Alumni Chapters
Alumni in the Tar Heel State reconnected and celebrated their YSU ties during two recent events.
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Every decade from the 1950’s to the 2010’s was represented when the Charlotte Alumni Chapter got together on May 12. President Emeritus and former First Lady David and Pat Sweet were special guests.
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There also was a lot of YSU Pride on display as Penguins and future Penguins enjoyed a picnic and Durham Bulls game on May 13.
Update your contact information here if you’re new to the area.
Leaving a Penguin Legacy
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Sarah DeLucia and father Joseph
Five students who are the children of YSU graduates have been awarded $1,000 Alumni Society Legacy Scholarships:
Sarah DeLucia, New Middletown, Ohio, Psychology major, whose father, Joseph, graduated from YSU with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Economics.
Daniella Mendel, Struthers, Ohio, Biology major/Pre-Med, daughter of Josefina Mendel, 2004 and 2011, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Education.
Alexandra Mijavec, Warren, Ohio, Business Administration–Finance major, daughter of Denise (Matsouris) Mijavec, 1995 and 2000, and Mark Mijavec, 1991 and 2000.
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Leah and Tara (Wilson) Sydney
Leah Sydney, Boardman Ohio, Studio Arts major, daughter of Tara (Wilson) Sydney, 2005 and 2010, bachelor’s in Applied Science and a master’s in Counseling from YSU.
Sarah Welsh, Youngstown, Integrated Language Arts Education major, daughter of Marie (Zerbonia) Welsh, 1990, bachelor’s in Business Administration
Tom and Sue Davis at their wedding with Matt Cerimele ’04 (center).
On June 12, 2022, Tom Davis (Accounting ’76) married Sue Abernethy (Elementary Ed & SPED ’77) at a winery near Charlotte, N.C. But, as they like to say, “It all goes back to the Penguin.”
Tom and Sue first met on June 28, 2012, at the second annual YSU Alumni National Networking Day in Charlotte. Tom and Sue quickly realized that they likely crossed paths all of those years ago since Sue had gone to the SAE fraternity house where Tom was president and Tom had visited the pub in the student center where Sue worked drawing beers. Still, they had no recollection of ever meeting at YSU or even at the Charlotte high school from where all five of their children had graduated. They exchanged business cards, got in contact by email and eventually met for dinner.
At the time, Sue had recently completed her doctorate degree and was a professor in the College of Education at UNC-Charlotte. Tom was a CPA and the director of Internal Financial Reporting for an international textile manufacturer headquartered across the state line in South Carolina. Being empty-nesters, they began to date and find shared interests such as winery visits (they’ve now visited over 100 in North Carolina alone).
They made a lot of trips to Ohio over the past decade, but some of their favorite ones were when they could get back to Youngstown for Homecoming and meetings with fraternity brothers. For a number of years, they’d take a photo kissing on the front steps of Buechner Hall, where Sue lived her first two years. During one of the trips, they purchased two blown-glass penguins from Oglebay Resort; one for each of their homes. The penguins became the toppers for their wedding cake.
Their love of YSU continues to shine. In January 2017, Tom organized a watch party at a local sports bar when YSU played in the FCS championship game. Shortly after, he was contacted by Heather Belgin with the Alumni Office to see if he’d be interested in helping establish a Charlotte alumni chapter. Tom and Sue have led the chapter ever since and had over 40 people attend their first event in June 2017. They’ve planned and hosted many other alumni activities, including a football watch party this past Fall at the same winery where they got married.
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