Anonymous donor gives $48K to YSU

The gift to the chemistry department is part of YSU’s Centennial Capital
Campaign.

YOUNGSTOWN — The chemistry department at Youngstown State University got a nice gift the other day. The problem is, it doesn’t know whom to thank.

Paul McFadden, YSU’s chief development officer, said he got a telephone call from Bruce Sherman, president of Sherman Creative Promotions and president of the YSU Alumni Society, telling him that someone has given the department a $48,000 anonymous gift.

The donor realizes that YSU has had to make budget cuts and hopes this gift will encourage others to offer gifts of their own, said Sherman, a 1970 YSU business college graduate.

The gift is part of the university’s $43 million Centennial Capital Campaign, which has passed the $32 million mark in gifts and pledges. The drive began in 2005 and is set to end in 2010.

Dr. Daryl Mincey, department professor and chairman, said just how the money will be spent will be a departmental decision. The 15 full-time faculty and four full-time staff members were asked to submit proposals on how the donation should be used, he said.

The only stipulation from the donor is that the money be spent on something that is new, perpetual and has an immediate impact on students.

Department suggestions have ranged from new equipment for freshman chemistry students to combining the gift with other funds as seed money for projects.