Our Campus
Preparation, patience, persistence and prayer
YSU completed its first on-campus semester of the pandemic this past Fall, culminating with commencement in December in Beeghly Center, where more than 600 students received diplomas.
When COVID-19 hit in March 2020, YSU transitioned all on-campus classes to remote offerings. The online classes continued for the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters, with a socially-distanced and masked outdoor commencement ceremony in May 2021. The university returned to on-campus classes for Fall 2021, and commencement was held as usual in Beeghly.
“We’re so proud of this graduating class,” President Jim Tressel said at commencement. “They’ve done an extraordinary job. These past two years have been challenging. They’ve cared for one another, and they’ve looked out for one another.”
Lekeila Houser, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work, was the student speaker for the ceremony.
“We were all resilient,” she told her follow graduates. “Look at me, I’m a young black woman, who just turned 21 a month ago, who was born and raised in Youngstown, and I’m the speaker here today, at this predominantly white institution graduating with my bachelor’s degree in Social Work with honors.
“I want to encourage anyone like me – you can grow up with the entire world against you, and still come out stronger than ever. You can still be successful. As long as you’re hopeful, optimistic and you continue to fight for yourself, you can do anything you put your mind to.”
Aliyah Sabree, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology from YSU and is now a judge at the 36th District Court in Detroit, provided similar advice as she gave the commencement keynote address and received an honorary Doctor of Law degrees.
Sabree, who left YSU and to earn a law degree at Michigan State University, reflected on first setting foot on the YSU campus 19 years ago, on a basketball scholarship, knowing she someday wanted to be a judge. She accomplished that goal by following the four P’s – Preparation, Patience, Persistence and Prayer.
“Coming out of college can be stressful,” she said. “Coming out of college during a pandemic can cause anxiety. When I need to center, I always come back to the four Ps.”
Fund-raising campaign hits historic high
$126,187,126
That was the final tally of YSU’s historic “We See Tomorrow” fundraising campaign when it closed out last Fall. The initiative, which funds scholarships, enhanced instruction, increased classroom technology and much more, is the largest fundraising campaign in YSU history and believed to be the largest philanthropic effort ever in the Mahoning Valley.
The total included 32,581 gifts, 40 of at least $1 million.
“The level of support we experienced through this campaign is nothing short of remarkable,” said Paul McFadden, president of the YSU Foundation. “It is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of so many students, alumni, faculty, staff and others over the course of more than 100 years to make YSU the special place it is in our region.”
Grant activity hits 12-year high
The last time YSU earned this much in grants, President Obama was in his first year in office, the Pittsburgh Steelers won their sixth Super Bowl and Modern Family, starring YSU’s own Ed O’Neill, made its TV debut.
It’s been a while.
YSU faculty and staff received 96 research and service grants totaling nearly $11 million in fiscal year 2021, the most since 2009.
“Getting this kind of funding is not easy – it’s competitive, and it takes a lot of work, imagination and determination,” YSU Provost Brien Smith said. “Most importantly, the impact that these funds have on our region and our students is significant and widespread.”
Among the awards was $1 million from the National Science Foundation to Cory Brozina, assistant professor and director of First-Year Engineering in the YSU Rayen School of Engineering, the largest grant YSU has ever received from the NSF. Also among the largest awards was $2.2 million from the Air Force Research Lab to Pedro Cortes, associate professor of Civil, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, as part of the Air Force’s Microelectronics Workforce Development Program.
“Research, teach, train and prepare workers of the future”
Dozens of federal, state and local political and education leaders attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony last summer for the new $12 million, 54,000-square-foot Excellence Training Center at YSU.
The Center, funded via $7 million in state capital dollars and $5 million in federal funds, is the centerpiece of the Mahoning Valley region’s continued efforts to create a workforce development ecosystem to ensure skilled workers are available to meet the region’s growing advanced manufacturing needs.
“A project of this magnitude does not happen without the support and commitment of literally dozens of people across a wide spectrum of government, industry and education leaders,” YSU President Jim Tressel said. “Our collective vision to create a place where we can research, teach, train and prepare the workers of the future culminates in this wonderful facility.”
Read more about the Excellence Training Center.
Read more about the Kohli's donation.
YSU gets President’s “E” Award for international efforts
Nate Myers, associate provost for International and Global Initiatives, made his way to the nation’s capital this Fall to receive the 2021 President’s “E” Award for YSU’s ongoing international enrollment efforts.
YSU was among only 32 U.S. companies and organizations nationwide, and only two in all of Ohio, receiving awards for 2021. YSU also was the only university in the nation to earn the recognition.
Between Fall 2016 and Summer 2021, YSU enrollment of international students increased from 316 to 455, including big increases in students from Nepal, Kuwait, Vietnam and South Korea. In 2019, the Institute of International Education reported that the rate of growth of YSU’s international student population was the second fastest among public universities in the United States.
Penguin mural highlights new campus park
The campus added more Penguins this past Fall – 10-foot tall ones!
Students Rachel Hritz and Verena Bo Gyeong Son completed a 60-foot by 13-foot panoramic mural on campus that features 24 majestic penguins. The colorful mural is the highlight of Deibel Park, a small, shaded spot nestled in a little-known area of campus behind the Arms Family Museum.
“We think this could be a very special space on campus,” said David Ewing, YSU associate director of Grounds. The park is funded by and named after Dave Deibel, former chair of the YSU Board of Trustees, and his wife, Holly, longtime supporters of the university.
Hritz and Gyeong Son created the mural as part of YSU Art Professor Dragana Crnjak’s course titled “Mural and Site-Specific Painting.” Under Crnjak’s direction, students have completed several large murals, including the Andrews Avenue Memory Mural. "My goal is to provide students with the hand-on experience of collaboration, problem solving, making community connections while developing the sense of responsibility, ownership and pride in the completed public art that stays after them,” Crnjak said.
Lincoln becomes Cafaro, Phelps becomes Silvestri
If you’re looking for the Lincoln Building or Phelps Hall on campus, good luck. Both buildings now have new names, thanks to a $1.75 million gift from John J. and Janet Cafaro and their daughters, the Honorable Capri Silvestri Cafaro and Renee Lynne Cafaro.
The Lincoln Building is now the J.J. and Janet Cafaro Hall, and the adjacent Phelps is now the Ronald G. Silvestri Hall. Silvestri, Janet Cafaro’s brother, attended YSU and was a successful local businessman before passing away in 2013.
“Our heartfelt thanks to J.J. and Jan for their continued strong support,” YSU President Jim Tressel said.
Cafaro is founder and president of the J.J. Cafaro Investment Trust and the retired executive vice president of the Cafaro Co., one of the leading shopping center developers in the country. Mrs. Cafaro is the president of Silcor Oilfield Services and of Parkway Holdings, which owns commercial real estate.
Museum brings architectural swagger to Wick Avenue
Every day for the past three decades, thousands of students, faculty, staff, visitors or just passers-by walk or drive by a campus building, little realizing it’s important place in the world of architectural design – YSU’s John J. McDonough Museum of Art on Wick Avenue.
Visit the website of Gwathmey Siegel & Associates, the internationally-acclaimed architectural firm, and there you’ll find the McDonough listed right next to the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the New York Public Library and the Guggenheim Museum.
Built on a sharply sloped site and featuring a spiral staircase and a slew of windows and skylights for an abundance of natural light, the museum marked its 30th anniversary last year of providing a venue for students, faculty and an array of visiting arts to display their works.
The museum was made possible by the generosity of local physician and avid art collector Dr. John J. McDonough. McDonough provided seed money for the museum by selling the painting, “Gloucester Harbor” by Childe Hassam, for just over $1 million.
Visit the McDonough Museum online.
Williamson College gets new dean
Kelly Wilkinson, associate dean of the Scott College of Business at Indiana State University, is the new dean of the Williamson College of Business Administration at YSU.
“Dr. Wilkinson brings experience and a proven track record of success in higher education administration, which will be invaluable as we continue to implement our strategic plan,” said Brien Smith, YSU provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.
Wilkinson replaces Betty Jo Licata, who retired in December after nearly 27 years as dean.
“The college plays such an important role in the Mahoning Valley and Ohio, preparing career ready students as well as partnering with the community with innovative initiatives,” Wilkinson said. “I look forward to being a part of the community.”