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Incoming freshmen fill YSU’s Beeghly Center
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
This fall’s incoming Youngstown State University freshmen outnumber that of last fall by more than 300.
“This year’s freshmen class is the most-diverse in university history in a lot of ways,” Gary Swegan, associate vice president of enrollment planning and management, said Monday at the first YSU Ignite at Beeghly Center.
Ignite is an event to welcome new students, preparing them for their first year of college.
Swegan said the class includes students from 19 states and Puerto Rico and 19 international students; 17 percent are from other states. Seventy percent are high-school honor students.
“The Class of 2019 is actually the most-qualified class in YSU history,” he said.
At least 1,200 students registered for Ignite, which continues today.
Jim Tressel, YSU president, said Ignite is a way to continue the passion, vision and many goals noted among prospective students who visited YSU.
This fall also saw more students from last year return to campus.
“Last year, students continued at a higher rate than we’ve ever had at our school,” Tressel said.
YSU wants to help students graduate on time with jobs with minimal to no debt, he said.
If all of the incoming freshmen graduate in May 2019, though, the university will have to move commencement, the president said.
“We’ll have to have it at the stadium,” Tressel said. “There won’t be enough room for all of you and your parents.”
Brandon Chamberlain of New Springfield and Alexis Levonyak of Struthers are two members of the Class of 2019.
Levonyak, who will major in business, chose YSU because it’s close to home.
“I was going to go to Kent, but then I thought I might as well stay here,” she said.
Levonyak is more excited than nervous, but she’s a little concerned about parking.
Chamberlain hasn’t picked a major but says he picked YSU because of the cost.
“I figured I don’t have to go to Ohio State when I can get the same quality of education here,” he said.
Chamberlain acknowledged nerves about college.
It’s a lot different from high school.
“There are a lot more people, and I’m not a senior anymore,” he said.