YSU engineering student Justin Kopelos is quick to admit that he needed direction when he started out as a freshman at Warren G. Harding High School in Warren. He barely squeaked by that year with a 2.0 grade average.

Then he joined Harding’s robotics team, a program sponsored by Delphi Packard Electrical / Electronic Architecture, and the proverbial light bulb went on.

Kopelos graduated Harding three years later with a 3.8 GPA and in 2004 was the first to be awarded a full-tuition YSU/Delphi FIRST Scholarship for engineering students, offered cooperatively by Delphi Packard E/EA in Warren and the YSU Foundation.

Now he’s preparing to graduate in May with a baccalaureate in mechanical engineering. The Foundation paid his tuition for the first two years; Delphi Packard E/EA covered the next three years and provided Kopelos with three years of engineering-related work experience.

 “It definitely has been a once-in-a lifetime chance,” Kopelos said of the scholarship. His single mother didn’t have the resources to afford college, and he’s been working part-time, in addition to school and the Delphi internship, to help support the family.

 “Justin’s remarkable improvement during his high school career really caught our attention in the selection process” recalled E. Thomas Dickey, engineering manager at Delphi and a mentor to Kopelos. “He’s continued to overcome obstacles to get where he is today.”

Two other engineering majors, both of Warren, have also received FIRST scholarships. Junior Emily Rencewicz was selected in 2005, and freshman Wendy Mach was chosen in 2008.

FIRST refers to the worldwide For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology Robotics Competition, and participation in FIRST robotics programs at Harding, Champion, Girard or Chaney high schools is a prerequisite of the scholarship program.

Dickey said FIRST aims to encourage students who have aptitudes for math, science and technology, all crucial in the engineering profession.

The scholarship selection process begins in February with each of the four participating FIRST schools submitting the names of their top two senior students. A committee of representatives from Delphi and the YSU Foundation chooses the recipient from that group, based on their leadership in the robotics program, grades, standardized test scores, references and other merit-based criteria.

For more information, visit www.ysu.edu/ysufoundation or call 330-941-3211.

When the telephone rings at the YSU Foundation office, the callers often ask, “How is the Foundation faring in this volatile market?” The following answer gives a general description of our position during these difficult economic times. 

Assets are down in every category. Hedge funds, commodities, S&P, international emerging markets and private equity funds have all suffered in this economic downturn. Contrary to “modern portfolio theory,” diversification of assets away from fixed income into alternatives has not helped. There has been no place to hide.

However, the YSU Foundation has remained true to its long-standing principle of spending only current income. We do not spend assets. Any foundation that is selling assets to pay commitments in this economic environment is severely stunting future growth and diminishing the opportunity to support the institution with the same impact in future years.

We continue to be true to the goals of supporting past, present and future generations equally.