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YSU education is family tradition
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Family members, from left, Dagmar Amrhein, Victoria Cook, Madonna Cook and Christian Goleno stand outside of the Youngstown State University stadium. Amhrein, mother of Madonna Cook and grandmother of Victoria Cook and Goleno, earned her master’s last month from YSU. Madonna graduated with her bachelor’s from YSU the same day. Goleno is a sophomore and Victoria is a senior at the university.
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
Education is a family endeavor for one Mahoning County clan.
Dagmar Amrhein, 64, and her daughter, Madonna Cook, 37, both graduated last month from Youngstown State University. Amrhein, of Youngstown, earned her master of arts degree in English, and Cook, of Boardman, her bachelor of science in nursing.
“I didn’t know until the second semester that we were going to graduate together,” Amrhein said.
Additionally, Amrhein’s two granddaughters, Victoria Cook, 20, of Liberty and Christian Goleno, 19, of Austintown, are YSU students. Goleno is majoring in psychology, and Victoria is studying education with plans to be a science teacher.
Victoria’s father and Goleno’s mother both are YSU grads, too.
They would periodically run into each other on campus.
“I think it’s cool,” Victoria said of being in college the same time as grandma. “When I would tell other people about it, they thought it was cool.”
Goleno said it was nice to be able to call someone if she needed help with homework.
And Victoria, who has taken some of the same classes as her aunt and grandmother, was able to borrow books.
Amrhein said she and her daughter called each other frequently, talking about different classes.
She called Madonna for help with anything involving a computer and for direction in obtaining a parking permit. Madonna called her when she needed a baby sitter for her daughter, Olivia Moschella, 18 months, so she could do her clinicals.
“When all four of us were together, we’d be talking about different classes and different professors,” Amrhein said.
“Take this professor or don’t take that professor,” Madonna added.
All of the women have had classes with Scott Leonard, an English professor.
“He was my favorite teacher, so I told everyone they should have him,” Madonna said.
Though both Goleno and Victoria enrolled in college as traditional students, Madonna and Amrhein waited until later.
In 1963, Amrhein earned a scholarship to then-Youngstown University and started school. But her parents, who owned Ohio Color Photography in Boardman, pressured her to quit school and work at the family business.
She did.
She re-enrolled at YSU a few years ago, graduating with her bachelor of fine arts degree two years ago.
Madonna’s son, now 15, was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, so she waited until he was older before she decided to pursue her degree.
The family plans more YSU degrees, too.
Amrhein plans to further her education and has enrolled in January, pursuing a master of fine arts in English.
Even little Olivia sported a YSU shirt this week.