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YSU confers emeritus status upon Sweet
By Harold gwin
YOUNGSTOWN
David C. Sweet has been granted the title of “President Emeritus” at Youngstown State University.
The university’s Board of Trustees conferred the status on Sweet at a meeting earlier this month, Sweet’s 87th trustee meeting since being named president in 2000.
He is retiring, and Wednesday will be his final day on the job.
Board policy provides for the conferral of emeritus status upon professional/administrative staff who retire from the university after at least 10 years of meritorious service.
In a related move, the trustees passed a “Resolution of Appreciation” for Sweet for his service as the sixth president of Youngstown State University.
The resolution noted that Sweet had pursued a mantra of enrollment, diversity and partnerships from the time of his arrival on campus, and that he succeeded in increasing all three at YSU.
The university experienced significant academic advancement and has undergone some major campus improvements during his tenure, the resolution said.
Getting emeritus status entitles the recipient to certain benefits such as full library privileges, certain educational benefits, the opportunity to buy reserved seats to athletic and other campus events, attendance at certain university special events and even office space if the recipient is on active duty at YSU.
Although Sweet has said he plans to return to Youngstown and the YSU campus frequently, he and his wife, Pat, are relocating to Charlotte, N.C., to be close to family.
It’s best for an outgoing president to move on and make way for the incoming person, he said.
Cynthia Anderson, longtime YSU employee and vice president for student affairs since 1995, becomes Youngstown State University’s seventh president effective Thursday.