Youngstown State unveils statue of its first president
By Harold Gwin
The likeness of the school’s first president is now a permanent campus fixture.
YOUNGSTOWN — “More than 40 years after his retirement, Howard Jones’ shadow still looms large on everything we do at Youngstown State University,” said YSU President David C. Sweet, moments before the unveiling of a larger-than-life statue of Jones on the campus core.
“It’s exciting,” said Jones’ daughter, Marilyn Chuey. “He would have to be flattered that an alumnus would remember him in this manner.”
That alumnus is Tony Lariccia of Boardman, a 1966 graduate who remembers Jones well.
“This man was just fantastic,” said Lariccia, who, with his wife, Mary, and daughters, Natalie and Dana, donated $100,000 to have the bronze statue made.
The unveiling Friday at the southern end of Tod Hall was attended by about 150 university supporters and staff and was part of the university’s ongoing centennial celebration which continues today with spring commencement.
Howard W. Jones was the first president of what eventually grew into Youngstown State University. Enrollment during his tenure rose from less than 500 to more than 11,000.
Chuey said her father, who served as president of Youngstown College and later Youngstown University from 1931 to 1966 “lived his life for Youngstown State.”
“He really was a genuine individual,” she said, explaining that he treated everyone the same, whether they be student, staff, faculty or someone else.
The sculpture shows Jones walking down a flight of three steps. Those steps are actual stone steps from Jones Hall, the first building constructed for the school and the site of Jones’ office.
The bronze work is the effort of artist Bruce Wolfe of California.
As part of the dedication, a small amount of the original ivy from Jones Hall was transplanted near the statue. The original ivy came from Oxford University in 1932 and was planted in front of what became Jones Hall.
The university also planted a time capsule next to the statue, and it is to be opened in 100 years.
Sweet, tongue in cheek, invited those in attendance to come back to the university in 2108 to witness that event.
gwin@vindy.com