During this past year, Youngstown State University celebrated our Centennial anniversary, and our evolution from a small private college to a comprehensive public university. At the same time, we took significant steps to set our course for the future.

In December, the Board of Trustees approved new mission and vision statements and core values that will guide YSU into the second decade of the 21st century and our second century of service to our students, the Mahoning Valley and the state of Ohio. The statements call for YSU to become a national model for university-community engagement, to expand beyond its regional focus, to advance civic, scientific and technological development and to foster collaboration.

These certainly are times of many challenges. But, with challenge comes opportunity. One such opportunity is to expand our horizons to recognize a world that is growing smaller, more connected and much more fluid with each passing year.

That’s why China is so important.

As the world’s most populous nation, with the third-largest and fastest-growing economy, and a country with an immense demand for post-secondary education, China represents a an opportunity for Youngstown State University to not only attract new students, but for international field experiences that will be of lasting benefit for students from the Mahoning Valley.

Two years ago, I led a YSU delegation to China and Taiwan to explore opportunities to develop academic ties with universities in those two regions. Since then, YSU faculty and students from fields as diverse as geology, communications and business have traveled to China and Taiwan, to experience their rich history and magnificent culture and to learn about their economic influence and potential. The YSU campus has also hosted faculty and students from China and Taiwan, who bring their unique perspectives of the world to our classrooms right here in Youngstown.

This effort to strengthen our connections with the world beyond our borders – YSU’s enrollment of international students has increased 45 percent in the last three years and the number of students studying abroad is also on the rise – is part of a larger strategy to redefine Youngstown State University as an urban, research institution.

To reach our full potential, we have had to seek additional sources of funding for strategic initiatives. I am pleased to report that in December, the Kresge Foundation awarded a $1.2 million challenge grant to our campaign to build a new facility for the Williamson College of Business Administration. The grant – the second received by YSU from Kresge in five years – is a major milestone and accomplishment of our Centennial Capital Campaign and puts YSU in very select company. But, just as important, it is the endorsement of a respected, world-renowned foundation.           

This issue of YSU Magazine includes the names of thousands of alumni and supporters who have demonstrated their loyalty and commitment to YSU by investing in its future. We are grateful to each and every contributor, and we invite all of you to help us in meeting the Kresge challenge. All of us here at YSU promise to do our best to live up to the faith that you have shown in us.

Sincerely,

David C. Sweet