Civil rights leader and peace activist Minnijean Brown Trickey, one of the Little Rock Nine who defied threats to attend an all-white high school in 1957, waits to be introduced for a presentation on campus earlier this month. Brown Trickey was at YSU to screen a documentary on her life titled “Journey to Little Rock: The Untold Story of Minnijean Brown Trickey”. At the age of 16, Brown Trickey was one of the Little Rock Nine, the nine black teenagers in Arkansas who defied death threats, hostile white demonstrators and the National Guard, to attend an all-white high school.

Nathan Wolfe, the “Indiana Jones” of virus hunting, signs a copy of his latest book prior to giving the YSU Skeggs Lecture Oct. 8, in Stambaugh Auditorium. Below, Wolfe is interviewed by a Vindicator reporter.

Samantha Anderson takes the oath of office earlier this semester as a student member of the YSU Board of Trustees. Giving the oath is Franklin S. Bennett, Jr., secretary to the board. Looking on is Trustee Dave Deibel. Anderson, appointed to the position by Gov. John Kasich, graduated from Poland Seminary High School in 2013 and is a recipient of the Leslie Cochran University Scholarship. She is pursuing a degree in Finance and Economics, as well as a minor in Foreign Affairs.

Students in the First-Year Engineering Program, under director Kerry Meyers, participated in a project earlier this semester to create a vehicle out of recycled materials. The program partnered with Green Youngstown and the Mahoning County Green Team, as well as Dan Kuzma, YSU manager of recycling. The top photo shows, from left, students Kala DeHoff, Madison Christie and Elise Demartino, demonstrating their finished product in the lobby of Moser Hall. Below, Gregg Sturrus, dean of the STEM College, watches as Dillon McBee tests his vehicle. 

Best of the best YSU’s undergraduate engineering program is among the best in the nation, according to U.S. News. The program was placed in the top third nationwide in the magazine’s latest list of best college programs. Other YSU programs also making the rankings this year were the graduate program in physical therapy and undergraduate business programs.

Live music, a bonfire, food and drink vendors and a pep rally are planned as part of the third annual Fall Fire Fest 7 to 11 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15 at Youngstown State University. The event, held in conjunction with YSU’s 75^th Homecoming celebration, is at the Green on Grant, located at the intersection of Grant Street and Ford Avenue on the west side of campus. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public. Tickets are not required. The event is sponsored by YSU Penguin Productions.