Our Donors

YSU would not be what it is today without the generosity of thousands of donors. Here we celebrate a handful of remarkable alumni and community supporters whose recent financial contributions are helping students across campus.

New Team Center boosts engineering squads

“Mom and dad would be so proud to see this center come to fruition,” Ellen Tressel said at the dedication of the new Frank and Norma Watson Team Center on campus. “This university was a major focus and love of their lives. We are honored and touched with today’s dedication.” The facility on Rayen Avenue is designed to better prepare YSU engineering teams for regional, national and international competitions. The center is named after Mrs. Tressel’s late parents, supporters of the university for more than 70 years, including a $1 million gift in 2016. The couple received the YSU Friends of the University Award in 2007. Ellen is the spouse of YSU President Jim Tressel.

Popular fountain area named for Becker

The fountain area at the core of the YSU campus, where students and the community have gathered for decades to study, lunch and socialize, has been named for Daniel H. Becker, chief executive of Becker Funeral Homes, and his family. The naming is in recognition of Becker’s $1 million gift to establish the Daniel H. Becker Family Scholarship. “All of us at YSU thank Dan and his family for their ongoing support of the university and the entire Mahoning Valley community,” President Jim Tressel said. “His legacy will live on in perpetuity at this very special place on campus.”

Weir gift to boost technology at Williamson

YSU alumni Suellen and Michael Weir donated $1 million to provide new technology to the YSU Williamson College of Business Administration. The atrium of Williamson Hall has, in turn, been named in their honor. “As with most disciplines, advances in technology have greatly influenced how the world does work,” said Kelly Wilkinson, WCBA dean. “This gift will help further enhance our technology and better prepare our students for career success by using technology in innovative ways to improve learning.”

YSU dedicates DiBacco Family Leadership Center on campus

A multi-purpose meeting and classroom in Stambaugh Stadium has been named the Jim and Melissa DiBacco Family Leadership Center. The room, featuring theater-style seating for more than 100, two large video screens and state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, will be utilized by all YSU Athletic teams and be available to the entire campus, said Ron Strollo, executive director of Intercollegiate Athletics. The room is at the center of the recently renovated area in Stambaugh Stadium that includes the Ticket Office, Baseball and Women’s Lacrosse offices, the new Athletics Digital Media Studio and administrative offices. Jim DiBacco retired in 2014 as executive director and part owner of Astro Shapes. Melissa DiBacco worked at Brentwood Originals for 10 years.