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Tribute proves Sweet for president, fundraising
By Denise Dick
By DENISE DICK
BOARDMAN
YSU President Dr. David C. Sweet capped his 10-year tenure at the university with an announcement that the Centennial Campaign had closed its books with $53 million raised.
“It’s the most successful fund-raising effort in the university’s 102-year history,” Sweet, president since 2000, said at his tribute dinner Thursday.
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David C. Sweet is ending his tenure as president of Youngstown State University as of June 30. He announced his plans to retire last year. He and his wife, Pat, plan to move to Charlotte, N.C., to be close to members of their family.
The campaign closed with a gift from Alan W. Cope of Salem, a YSU alum.
The event, at Mr. Anthony’s, drew hundreds of people.
The amount raised is above the $43 million goal set when the campaign kicked off six years ago.
The money will be used for student scholarships and capital improvements, including construction of the new Williamson College of Business Administration building, improved science and engineering facilities and the new Watson and Tressel Training Site, an indoor athletics practice facility.
Sweet is retiring June 30. Cynthia E. Anderson, vice president for student affairs, will become president July 1.
The fund-raising effort included six contributions of $1 million or more, led by $5 million from the family of the late Warren P. Williamson Jr. and $4 million from Tony and Mary Lariccia of Boardman.
“Tony and Mary, you got the ball rolling,” Sweet said.
At Thursday’s tribute, Sweet was praised for his work to increase university enrollment and diversity and foster partnerships with other entities and organizations.
Bruce Beeghly, president of the trustees board when Sweet was selected, said that at that time, the board was concerned with declining enrollment.
During Sweet’s leadership, YSU has seen a 25 percent increase in enrollment, and it’s “approaching an all-time record for YSU,” Beeghly said.
Minority enrollment has increased 60 percent in the last decade, he said.
When Sweet arrived on campus, he was struck by the negative views of some people in the community about the city and its future.
One of the first things he did was to improve the appearance of campus parking lots, and soon other nearby organizations followed suit.
“These are little things, but they mean a lot,” Sweet said.
He also got involved in the Youngstown 2010 program.
“I believe you raise expectations, set goals and then work together to meet those goals,” the president said.
He said he has a framed picture of Don Quixote in his office as well as paintings of the literary character in his home. For his last commencement, a singer performed “The Impossible Dream” from “The Man from La Mancha,” which is based on the book.
Sweet sees Quixote’s quest as an inspiration.
“As we look to Youngs-town 2020, let’s keep on dreaming the impossible dream,” he said.