Tuesday, October 21, 2008
This year’s homecoming will focus on both the university’s past and its future.
STAFF REPORT
YOUNGSTOWN — Fuel cell-powered automobiles, a cookout and a fund-raising event for the Rich Center for Autism are just a few of the features of this week’s homecoming at Youngstown State University.
It’s a busy week on the YSU campus with more than 30 events planned as the university’s celebration of its 100th anniversary winds down. The yearlong celebration began with Homecoming 2007.
This year’s homecoming week, sponsored by Campus Recreation and Student Programming, is appropriately themed, “The YSU Story, Capturing the Past and Developing the Future.”
This week’s events will end with the traditional homecoming parade and football game Saturday, and the parade will feature a high-tech segment this year — a pair of fuel cell-powered Chevrolet Equinoxes supplied by the General Motors Lordstown complex.
The appearance of the cars helps commemorate the 100th anniversaries of both General Motors and YSU.
A fuel cell harnesses the electricity created in the chemical reaction that occurs when hydrogen and oxygen are combined. Hundreds of fuel cells are “stacked” together, combining their electrical outputs into enough electricity to power a car. Its only exhaust is water vapor.
The Equinox can travel nearly 300 miles per hydrogen fill–up and reach a top speed of 100 mph. Green Car Journal has given the Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell its Green Car Vision Award.
Student games, a corn-hole tournament and a battle of bands are among the scheduled events on campus this week.