Tressels continue to show their commitment to YSU

Even before they became Youngstown State University’s first couple, James and Ellen Tressel were unwavering in their moral and financial support of the urban institution.

Ellen Tressel is a YSU alumna and a successful businesswoman; Jim Tressel has been president since July 2014, and previously had served as head coach of YSU’s national championship football teams.

Their presence on campus and in the Mahoning Valley has been inspirational, to say the least.

That is why their pledge of $1 million to kick off the university’s capital fund-raising campaign comes as no surprise. It is indicative of the value they place on higher education.

The money will create the Ellen and Jim Tressel Student Work Opportunity Endowment Fund. The goal is to engender a work ethic among the students – using financial incentives.

In announcing the $1 million pledge, Tressel, who served as executive vice president for student success at the University of Akron, had this to say:

“Research shows that students with part-time campus jobs are more successful in the classroom and have better chances of graduating on time, not to mention the benefits of earning extra money for the variety of expenses that college presents.”

It has long been a truism that the average full-time student at YSU has a job – or even a couple of jobs – on or off campus. That’s because many of them are first-time college attendees in their families and reflect this region’s socioeconomic challenges.

In addition, the reduction in state funding for higher education in Ohio has forced the public universities and colleges to increase tuition and fees to cover operating costs.

Pressures on students

It isn’t easy being a college student these days, given all the pressures that are brought to bear, which is why the gift from the Tressels is so significant. It’s about giving students an incentive to continue their higher education.

Ellen Tressel’s statement during the announcement is also worth repeating:

“We are pleased to be able to establish a fund that will expand these opportunities to even more students at YSU, providing both the financial assistance and the work experiences that will impact their futures and lead to successful careers beyond their time at YSU.”

It is to be hoped that the pledge from the Tressels to kick off the capital campaign will inspire others in the community to make an investment in this region’s future.

We are reminded of the August 2012 dedication of the Watson and Tressel Training Site (WATTS) when nearly 350 families, organizations, individuals and others were recognized for donating more than $4 million to help construct the $11 million indoor practice and athletic facility. It has been open since fall 2011.

The state-of-the-art center is named after the Tressels and Ellen Tressel’s parents, Frank and Norma Watson of Canfield. They donated a combined $1 million toward construction of the facility.

The Tressels also committed $125,643 to the YSU Andrews Student Recreation and Wellness Center.

That record of giving certainly confirms what Paul McFadden, president of the YSU Foundation, said about the $1 million capital campaign pledge:

“Ellen and Jim are passionate about the university, and particularly about our students. We are grateful for their generosity and leadership.”

It is appropriate to recall that Tressel’s appointment as president by the board of trustees was due, in large part, to a letter they received that was signed by some 30 business, community and political leaders in the Valley.

Why appropriate? For the reason that the show of support for Tressel was seen as a commitment by the movers and shakers of the community to step up to the plate when called on by the president.

The capital campaign is that call.

In the words of Ellen Tressel, “We’re hoping that this spurs some of our other generous donors.”

President Tressel, with the support of the trustees, is developing a plan for future stability and growth.

A successful capital campaign would go a long way toward meeting the goals set out by the administration and trustees.