Frank Watson epitomized the very best of the Valley

Frank C. Watson, prominent business leader and philanthropist, lived the Scriptural precept, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

Altruism was not second-nature to Watson; it was his nature.

He lived his life in the service to others – family, friends and community – and was unrelenting in the pursuit of his passion: Youngstown State University’s success.

Watson’s death Thursday after a 10-year battle with Parkinson’s disease will leave a void in the life of the Mahoning Valley. The 92-year-old native of New York who was proud to call this region home was a good man, as those who knew him will attest. He had no ulterior motives in his service to the public, which is why his involvement was eagerly sought when a community initiative was being launched.

As president of Youngstown Welding and Engineering Co. from 1959 to 1998, he earned a reputation as a hard worker who treated his employees and business associates with respect.

But it was Watson’s philanthropy and caring that defined him.

Last year, he and his wife of almost 68 years, Norma, donated $1 million to YSU to support the development of a Student Success Center on campus.

During the announcement, attended by daughter, Ellen, and her husband, YSU President James P. Tressel, it was noted that the Watsons have been a driving force in the university’s growth and development for more than four decades.

In his brief remarks, Frank Watson showed why he had earned great respect from the university community.

“It has been our privilege to watch YSU evolve and grow into the respected institution of higher education that it is today. We are honored and blessed to be able to make this pledge and support one of the Valley’s greatest assets.”

IMPORTANCE OF GIFT

While the Frank and Norma Student Success Center isn’t the only gift to YSU, it is one of the most important. The center provides students with programs and assistance to facilitate their academic development.

“The success of our students, matriculating from admission to graduation, is paramount to our future, and we believe this is yet another step to help make that happen,” Tressel said about the center.

Student retention and graduation are priorities for Ohio as it recalibrates public higher education. With the state funding formula no longer centered on enrollment, institutions such as YSU are under pressure to meet the goals set by Columbus.

Before becoming president of YSU, Tressel was executive vice president of student success at the University of Akron.

Paul McFadden, president of the YSU Foundation, the designated philanthropic arm of the university, had this to say of the $1 million gift:

“The Frank and Norma Watson Student Success Center will help thousands of students reach their educational goals and will serve as a lasting legacy to the Watsons’ lifelong devotion to YSU.”

Over the years, Frank and Norma Watson have made significant donations for YSU’s Stambaugh Stadium, the Scholarship Loge program, the Andrews Student Recreation and Wellness Center and the Watson and Tressel Training Site, an indoor training facility.

Frank Watson, who graduated in 1949 from YSU’s School of Engineering, was a member of the university’s board of trustees from 1978 to 1987 and was one of the original members of the YSU Foundation board of trustees.

He also served as president of the Greater Youngstown Area Chamber of Commerce, was a member of the Canfield Board of Education from 1967 to 1975 and was Canfield city manager from 1989 to 1991.

Watson served on the boards of the Dollar Savings and Trust Co., Ohio Bancorp, Ohio Edison and the Youngstown Hospital Association.

In addition to his wife, Norma, who has long volunteered for many area organizations, Frank Watson is survived by daughters Ellen Tressel and Janet Stephens, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. A son, David, is deceased.

Frank Watson’s life is reflected in this quotation by Robert South, an English clergyman: “If there be any truer measure of a man than by what he does, it must be by what he gives.”