Stavich family donates $2.7M

The money will pay for scholarships for Campbell grads attending YSU.

THE VINDICATOR

By HAROLD GWIN

VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — The Stavich family has been a major donor to many causes over the years, often working behind the scenes and out of the limelight.

The family moved into the spotlight Friday with the announcement that the Stavich Family Trust has donated $2.7 million to Youngstown State University’s Centennial Capital Campaign.

The money comes from the trust’s scholarship fund created in 1993, which has been providing scholarships to Campbell Memorial High School graduates to help pay college tuition.

The money will still be used for that purpose, providing scholarships to Campbell students to attend YSU, but will now be administered by the YSU Foundation.

The gift from the Stavich family, the third-largest in YSU’s history, raises the capital campaign to $39.2 million toward a goal of $43 million.

The Stavich family — brothers Steve, John, George and Andrew — formed Calex Corp., an aluminum processing company, in 1952, and it grew into one of the largest companies of its kind in the United States.

It was sold in 1992, and, today, Andrew is the only surviving brother. At 85, he still lives in Canfield.

“My father and my uncles all promoted the value of education and hard work throughout their lives,” said Alice Stavich Klempay, daughter of Steve Stavich. “They also demonstrated a strong allegiance to the city of Campbell.”

This is a way to continue giving back to the community, said Donna Stavich, daughter of John Stavich. It provides an opportunity for some young people to go to college who otherwise might not be able to afford it, she said.

The Stavich family has made the Campbell schools a major focus of its generosity over the years, buying equipment, helping to fund school improvements and providing hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships to students graduating from Campbell and attending YSU.

“This is a great way to begin the new year,” said Dr. David A. Sweet, YSU president, as he announced the gift.

“The Stavich brothers represent the American dream of free enterprise,” said Reid Schmutz, YSU Foundation president.

“This generous gift is yet another indication of the Stavich family’s long-held commitment to Campbell, YSU and the entire Mahoning valley,” he said.

gwin@vindy.com