YSU concludes largest-ever fund-raising campaign

Major donors from throughout the region gathered today to celebrate the successful conclusion of Youngstown State University’s “We See Tomorrow” campaign that raised a record $126 million to provide scholarships, enhance instruction, increase classroom technology and much more.

“We are simply overwhelmed by the generosity of the Mahoning Valley and alumni and friends across the nation,” Campaign Chair Jocelyne Kollay Linsalata said about the seven-year fundraising effort. “We saw tomorrow, and now, tomorrow is here.”

The campaign, by far the largest in the university’s history and believed to be the largest philanthropic effort ever across the Mahoning Valley, attracted 32,581 gifts, including 40 gifts of at least $1 million and 57 out-of-town gifts of at least $100,000.

“Everywhere we went, when we spoke to people, their love for YSU was always at the center of every conversation,” said YSU President Jim Tressel, who hosted the donors under a tent next to the Pollock House on campus.

“Thanks to everyone for believing in YSU. Words could never express the gratitude and appreciation we have for your support.”

The historic initiative, led by the YSU Foundation, started in 2014 with a goal of $100 million. By January 2020, the goal was reached, and then increased to $125 million – three times the size of the university’s last fund-raising campaign nearly 15 years ago. In fiscal years 2020 and 2021 alone – even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic – the campaign raised $32.4 million in donations. 

The final tally: $126,187,126.

The money will be used in a variety of ways to help alleviate the financial burdens of students, improve faculty scholarly pursuits, bring state-of-the-art technology to classrooms and make YSU a hub of workforce development throughout the region:

• $70.4 million for student scholarships and student work opportunities.
• $13.1 million to triple the number of endowed faculty chairs and professorships.
• $3.8 million to create high-tech Classrooms of the Future across campus.
• $4.4 million for campus beautification.
• $4.1 million for the Paula and Anthony Rich Center for Autism at YSU.
• $6.8 million for the new Excellence Training Center in the new Kohli Hall on the south end of campus.
• $22.2 million for the Annual Fund.

“The level of support we experienced through this campaign is nothing short of remarkable,” said Paul McFadden, president of the YSU Foundation, YSU’s fundraising arm. “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. People really love this place, and they want to give back.” 

Donors attending the event today received a hard-bound 87-page book summarizing the seven-year campaign.

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Media contact: Paul McFadden, president, YSU Foundation, 330-941-3211; or Ron Cole, director of University Communications, 330-506-0014.