Officials credit YSU president for record high fundraising

By DENISE DICK

denise_dick@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Profound, remarkable and phenomenal — even magical — are just a few of the words used to describe Jim Tressel’s impact on Youngstown State University fundraising.

“It’s been profound,” said Paul McFadden, president of the YSU Foundation. “He’s opened doors for us that haven’t been opened for 20 years.”

Call it the Tressel Effect.

“When Jim Tressel calls, you return the call,” McFadden said.

The foundation, a private entity that’s separate from the university, raised $20.5 million in private gifts for the fiscal year ended June 30. That compares with

$13 million for 2015 and $6.2 million in 2014.

Tressel officially became YSU president July 1. 2014.

“Jim Tressel is beyond phenomenal,” said Jocelyne Kollay Linsalata of Cleveland, who moves from foundation vice chairwoman

to chairwoman starting next month.

“He’s almost magnetic,” she said. “He truly is sought after, and he’s always gracious. He makes everyone feel very important. It’s just remarkable. It really is amazing.”

Carole Weimer, chairwoman of YSU’s board of trustees, agreed.

“All you to do is watch the news or pick up The Vindicator to see the number of significant gifts, one right after the other,” she said. “I think he’s just starting to get on his roll.”

Weimer said Tressel has made a lot of friends, and he does a good job connecting with people. He remembers people’s names and whether someone donates $5 or $1 million, Tressel knows how to make them feel important, she said.

“His personality and his passion for the university come through,” Weimer said.

Tressel, who frequently downplays his influence, points to an increase in the number of the foundation’s development officers as a reason for the increase in the number of donations.

The foundation employs five such officers compared with two a couple of years ago.

In late 2014, YSU transferred its fundraising responsibility to the foundation. Previously, YSU had a vice president for university advancement.

The foundation recently hired a consultant, Michael J. Worth and Associates of Washington, D.C., to complete a feasibility study regarding the viability of a capital campaign.

“He [Worth] said that he’s not seen this level of enthusiasm for a president,” McFadden said.

The consultant recommended a $75 million capital campaign but added that YSU may want to bump up that goal based on Tressel’s popularity.

Tressel, though, is quick to steer attention back to the university and its loyal alumni.

In talking to them throughout the country, he’s struck by the difference they tell him YSU made in their lives.

“They say, ‘I don’t know how I would have made it without YSU,’” he said.

McFadden said his role in fundraising has changed since Tressel’s return to campus.

“I more manage the process now,” he said. “I used to be the solicitor.”

McFadden sometimes solicits donations, but Tressel owns that role.

“I just put him in front of the donors,” he said.

It’s about building relationships, McFadden said, and Tressel does it well.

Linsalata, a YSU alumna, earlier this year donated

$1 million to the university to expand scholarships and enhance student success.

“The magic worked on me some time ago,” she said.

She said McFadden and Tressel together make a great fundraising team.

“His tag line — macte virtute – [means] ‘increase excellence.’ He really lives that himself,” Linsalata said.

The slogan can be seen all over campus — on license plate frames, bumper stickers and nameplates on office desks.

“He has high expectations for himself, and he transfers that to others,” Linsalata said. “YSU is incredibly fortunate to have hired Jim Tressel.”