YSU Office of Alumni Engagement “Legacy Scholarship” Application Form.
No matter where you live there is a good chance that you will run into alumni of Youngstown State University. Our alumni chapters are represented across 14 states.
Youngstown State University continues its tradition of recognizing student leadership, academic excellence and personal growth by spotlighting three student commencement speakers for Fall 2025. Each semester, the university selects students whose stories reflect the strength, diversity and spirit of the YSU community. This fall, that honor belongs to Ashley Perry, Cole Burnett and Nathan Johnson. Representing the Bitonte College of Health and Human Services, the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and the Beeghly College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences and Education, the three graduating seniors share stories shaped by perseverance, mentorship, unexpected turning points and a deep commitment to serving others.
Ashley Perry: Compassion, resilience and the courage to keep moving forward
BCHHS, Dietetics. Cole Burnett: Leadership, discipline and the power of doing hard things
College of STEM, Biology, Pre-Medicine. Nathan Johnson: Growth through connection, communication and change
BCLASSE, Strategic Communication and Media
Youngstown State University’s Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl Team A placed third at the Central States Ethics Bowl Competition at Marion University, securing a bid to the National Ethics Bowl Competition in March. Team A competed against the University of Chicago, Oklahoma State University and Austin Peay State University, winning its first two matches and tying the third. The third-place finish qualifies the team for the national competition, set for early March in St. Louis. The team is composed of Hunter Barnett, Peyton Hodge, Sofia Myers, Nikechi Onunwor, Noel Shackelford and Brandon Tabak. “Our students demonstrated exceptional collaborative thinking and professionalism throughout the competition,” said Mark Vopat, a professor of philosophy in the department of Humanities and Social Sciences and ethics bowl coach. “Their ability to work through complex ethical issues under pressure really speaks to their preparation and dedication.” The accomplishment extends YSU’s long-standing record of excellence at regionals – YSU teams have now earned a national bid in 10 of the past 11 years. In their 9 nationals’ performances YSU has finished in the top eight teams in the country 6 times, winning the competition in 2020.
A cross-campus collaboration between Youngstown State University’s Success Over 60 program and the Cliffe College of Creative Arts has produced a new intergenerational mural now on display at the Butler Institute of American Art. Led by professor Dan Van Dussen, Department of Social Work, and professor Dragana Crnjak, Department of Art, the project brought together more than 50 participants from YSU, Ohio Living and the local community. The mural created throughout the fall semester, centers on intergenerational connection, shared creativity and collective learning. Sixteen students in YSU’s Mural and Site-Specific Painting course worked alongside seniors from Ohio Living, students from the Sokolov Honors College and alumna Lisa Schultz-Medved, who helped recruit the participants from Ohio Living Hospice and Home Care.“This partnership placed every participant outside their usual routines and created a shared space where unpredictable connections and discoveries could grow,” Crnjak said. “We built not only the work itself, but a profound sense of connection and shared humanity.”
Alumni Holiday Gathering at Fortnight Brewing Company! Free event, people will pay on separate checks.
Heather Belgin
Director of Alumni
habelgin@ysu.edu
330-941-1591
Allison Bye
Assistant Director of Alumni
arbye@ysu.edu
330-941-7170
Tatiana O’Dell
Data Administration Specialist
todell@ysu.edu
330-941-1099