Sweet: YSU-city link is strong

By DON SHILLING

shilling@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

Youngstown State University will continue to evolve as an urban research university, its retiring president told the local business community. David Sweet, who leaves his position in June, said Thursday that much has been made of Youngstown’s 2010 plan, which called for a smaller, cleaner and greener city.

But local officials are moving toward “Youngstown 2020,” which includes stronger connections between the university and the city, Sweet told about 600 people at the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber’s annual meeting at Mr. Anthony’s.

Chamber officials said it was the biggest crowd in at least 10 years, which they attributed to an improving economy and support for Sweet and three people who were honored during the meeting. Among those in attendance was Cynthia Anderson, YSU’s vice president of student affairs, who will replace Sweet.

As YSU embraces its role as a research university, more graduate programs will be created, and more research will be aimed at creating opportunities and new markets for local businesses, Sweet said.

He noted that YSU recently was designed as having these centers of excellence: advanced materials, chemical biology, international business and the Rich Center for Autism.

YSU is trying to expand on this by having Youngstown declared a hub for advanced materials under the Ohio Hub of Innovation and Opportunity program. An application was submitted to the state March 15, and notification will be made next month.

Sweet said this designation will help the city attract new opportunities in advanced materials, which are used by RTI International Metals near Niles, Fireline in Youngstown, Syncro Medical Innovations in Youngstown and others.

The university has a pending application with the state for a doctorate program in materials science and engineering.

The university will continue to work with the city and others to improve the neighborhoods around the university, Sweet said.