Bitontes honored Friday by YSU

Staff report

LIBERTY

Dr. Dominic and Helen Bitonte will receive Youngstown State University’s Friend of the University award at a dinner Friday at the Youngstown Country Club, 1402 Country Club Drive.

The invitation-only event begins at 6:30 p.m.

The award recognizes the leadership and contributions to YSU and the community by a particular individual or individuals. Recipients are presented a crystal penguin on a black marble base.

Dominic Bitonte grew up in Youngstown’s Brier Hill neighborhood, and Helen Bitonte was raised in Campbell.

The son of immigrant parents, Dominic Bitonte was the first generation to be born and reared in America. As a result of the strong commitment of his parents, education has been an important value to his family.

Bitonte followed in his brother’s footsteps and became a dentist, graduating with his DDS from Ohio State University in 1947. The two even shared a dental practice at one time.