YSU names new classrooms

staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University trustees have approved resolutions to name classrooms and other areas of the new Williamson College of Business Administration building after individuals and organizations that made significant contributions to the university’s Centennial Capital Campaign.

The $43 million campaign, the largest fund–raising effort in the university’s history, has surpassed the $50 million mark. A major component of the campaign is the construction of a $34.3 million facility for the college of business. Construction is under way, and the building is expected to open for the start of fall classes in 2010.

The board approved the following resolutions:

UNamed a tiered classroom for Huntington Bank and E.M. Barr Trust, which made a $175,000 gift. Huntington and its predecessors, Sky Bank and Mahoning National Bank, have a history of philanthropic support that includes a scholarship fund at the YSU Foundation, the Campaign for YSU and the campaign for the YSU Andrews Student Recreation and Wellness Center. Huntington’s regional president is Frank Hierro, a 1977 graduate of YSU.

UNamed a tiered classroom after the Schmutz family. The W.E. Bliss Foundation made $125,000 gift. In the late 1960s, Bliss Hall was named in honor of W.E. Bliss. The Bliss Foundation contributed to the recreation center campaign. C. Reid Schmutz, president of the YSU Foundation, is a grandson of W.E. Bliss.

UNamed a classroom after John A. DePizzo Jr., who made a $100,000 gift. DePizzo, a YSU graduate, created the JAD Scholarship at the YSU Foundation. He also contributed $50,000 to the recreation-center campaign.

UNamed a classroom after Liberty Steel Products. The company and the Weller family made a $100,000 gift. The company also contributed $100,000 to the YSU Foundation scholarship fund. In the mid-1980s, the Weller family made a leadership gift to name Weller House. The company’s CEO is Andrew “Jack” Weller, a 1961 graduate of Youngstown University.

UNamed a classroom after Anthony and Lenora Petrarca, who made a $100,000 gift. The Petrarcas are graduates of YSU, and they made a $100,000 gift to the recreation center.

UNamed a classroom after Samuel A. and Judy B. Roth, who made a $100,000 gift. The Roths have made donations to the YSU Annual Fund and the recreation center. Judy Roth is a YSU graduate.