Area companies donate to YSU

One company spokesman said it was a way to say ‘thank you’ to YSU.

By HAROLD GWIN

VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — Five area accounting firms have combined to contribute $150,000 to help finance the construction of a new building for the Williamson College of Business Administration at Youngstown State University.

Anness, Gerlach & Williams; Cohen & Co.; Hill, Barth & King; Packer Thomas; and Schroedel, Scullin & Besticmade the announcement Friday at the opening of the 12th annual Accounting Student/Practitioner Day in YSU’s Kilcawley Center.

“YSU has already given us so much. We’re just trying to give a little back,” said Greg Bestic of Schroedel, Scullin and Bestic. The YSU alumnus stressed the importance of giving to the 200 students who showed up for the day’s program.

“It’s our way of saying ‘thank you’ to YSU,” added Frank Dixon of Cohen & Co.

Although the money is designated for the new business school, it becomes part of YSU’s $43 million Centennial Capital Campaign. The campaign has surpassed the $34 million mark.

“These accounting firms always have been valued supporters of our accounting program,” said Betty Jo Licata, dean of the Williamson College of Business Administration. “They share their time and expertise with our students on a regular basis and hire our interns and graduates every year. Their gifts for the new building are one more indication of their commitment to our students’ preparation for successful careers in accounting.”

Anness, Gerlach, based in Youngstown, has 21 employees and most are YSU graduates.

Cohen & Co.’s Youngstown office has 31 staff members and 75 percent are YSU graduates.

Hill, Barth, established in Youngstown in 1949, has 275 employees in 12 locations and 44 of them are YSU alumni.

Packer Thomas, with locations in Youngstown and New Castle, has a staff of more than 50, and 80 percent are YSU graduates.

Half of the approximately 40 employees at Schroedel, Scullin of Canfield are YSU alumni.

Licata said the new building, scheduled to open in 2010, will double the size of the facilities at 106,000 square feet and provide a state-of-the-art educational and community resource. It has a price of $35 million, half of which will be covered by state funds.

The rest will be raised from the private sector, Licata said.

Most of the students who turned out for Student/Practitioner Day to hear from some 30 accounting professionals were from YSU. The university, however, has extended invitations to other schools to send students to the program and Friday’s event drew participants from Mount Union College, Thiel College and Grove City College.

gwin@vindy.com