Tressel takes helm at YSU, voicing familiar philosophy

YOUNGSTOWN

Two nameplates sit in Jim Tressel’s presidential office on the second floor of Tod Hall at Youngstown State University.

One bears his name with “Dedicated to Excellence” etched beneath it. The other reads, “There is no limit to what you can accomplish if you don’t mind who gets the credit.”

During his interviews for the YSU president’s job, Tressel talked a lot about teamwork and making decisions by building consensus.

Now he’ll have a chance to put that philosophy to work.

Friday was Tressel’s first day on campus as acting president, his

title through June 30 when Interim President Ikram Khawaja, who is on vacation, retires. Tressel becomes president July 1.

He spent the day meeting with various people and groups on campus and made an appearance at the Summer Honors Institute for gifted high school students.

It’s similar to how he’s spent time since being named YSU president in mid-May.

“Every minute you can spend in preparation helps,” Tressel said. “I’ve spent pretty much every vacation I could get from [the University of] Akron here.”

He said one of his initial priorities is alignment: “I want to get to know people, to maximize their talents and give them a chance to go do it.”

Also priorities, he said, are clearly articulating the university’s vision and getting things such as collective bargaining and preparation for the start of fall semester completed.

Read more about his philosophy and his first day in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.