Tressels’ $1 million gift expands campus employment opportunities for students

Since the day they returned to Youngstown, Ellen and Jim Tressel have preached about the importance of ensuring the success of each and every student at YSU. They’ve now backed those words to the tune of $1 million. At a meeting of university donors in November, YSU announced that the Tressels have made a $1 million pledge to create the Ellen and Jim Tressel Student Work Opportunity Endowment Fund, an initiative to help expand student employment opportunities on campus. “Research shows that students with part-time campus jobs are more successful in the classroom and have better chances of graduating on time, not to mention the benefits of earning extra money for the variety of expenses that college presents,” said Jim Tressel, who became YSU’s ninth president on July 1, 2014. Ellen Tressel, a YSU alumna, added, “We are pleased to be able to establish a fund that will expand these opportunities to even more students at YSU, providing both the financial assistance and the work experiences that will impact their futures and lead to successful careers beyond their time at YSU.” Carole Weimer, chair of the YSU Board of Trustees, said the endowment is yet another example of the Tressels' commitment to YSU. “On behalf of everyone at the university, we thank them for their continued support and hard work for YSU and our students,” she said. Paul McFadden, president of the YSU Foundation, added, “Ellen and Jim are passionate about the university, and particularly about our students. We are grateful for their generosity and leadership.” The donation is yet another significant gift from the Tressels to YSU. Past gifts have included $500,000 to the YSU Watson and Tressel Training Site (WATTS) and $125,643 to the YSU Andrews Student Recreation and Wellness Center.