YSU Dedicates Foundation Heritage Park

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Youngstown State University dedicated a new park yesterday to recognize distinguished faculty and staff throughout the university’s 100-year-plus history.

The YSU Foundation Heritage Park, on Elm Street just north of Kilcawley Center, features a stone wall with the engraved names of the 73 former faculty and staff who have received the YSU Heritage Award. The park also features a basketball court and sand volleyball court.

The Heritage Award is considered to be the highest award given to former university employees.

“The list of recipients of the Heritage Award is a literal who’s who of YSU over the past 35 years,” said Paul McFadden, YSU Foundation president. “We are excited about developing this special place on campus to celebrate the contributions these individuals have made to YSU’s legacy.”

Dozens of former and current faculty and staff, including many recipients of the Heritage Award, attended Wednesday afternoon’s dedication of the park.

“As a former administrator, recipient of the Heritage Award and someone who loves YSU, I cannot say how pleased I am that the university and the YSU Foundation has provided this special place to honor its most outstanding employees,” said Phil Hirsch, retired director of Kilcawley Center and executive director of administrative services. “This park and wall will serve as a reminder of the talent and dedication of so many employees who worked to make this a great university.”

The dedication took place before the annual YSU Staff Awards Dinner in Kilcawley Center. At the dinner, K.J. Satrum, retired executive director of student services, became the latest recipient of the Heritage Award. On April 19, the late Joseph Edwards, former dean of the College of Creative Arts and Communication, was honored posthumously with the Heritage Award.

Pictured: A student shoots hoops at the new YSU Foundation Heritage Park.

Source: YSU News Center.

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