Tressels Donate $200K to YSU’s Kilcawley Campaign

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Jim and Ellen Tressel have made a $200,000 contribution to Youngstown State University’s Kilcawley: Centered on the Future campaign.

The Tressels are already recognized members of the YSU Transformation Giving Society for their lifetime contributions exceeding $2 million.

In addition to the latest donation, the Tressels are serving as members of the Kilcawley Renovation Campaign Leadership Cabinet, where they continue to be involved in advancing the project.

“We are excited to support the renovation of Kilcawley Center, a place that has served as the heart of student life for so many generations of Penguins,” said Jim Tressel, YSU president emeritus. “This project will offer a modern, collaborative space where students can engage with one another and their community, creating opportunities for personal and academic growth for years to come.”

The Tressels’ $200,000 gift will fund the naming of two key spaces in the revamped Kilcawley Center. The first-floor meeting room will be named in honor of Jim and Ellen Tressel, recognizing their enduring impact on the university and its students. The second-floor lounge will be named in honor of Ellen’s parents, Frank and Norma Watson, whose decades of philanthropic support for YSU helped shape the university’s success.

“Kilcawley Center has always been a place of connection and tradition for our students, and with this renovation, we are investing in a space that will continue to inspire and unite students for generations to come,” said Scott Schulick, campaign chairman. “Jim and Ellen’s generous support will leave a lasting legacy at YSU, and we are incredibly grateful for their leadership and vision.”

The renovated Kilcawley Center will feature expanded event spaces, modern lounges and flexible areas designed to promote collaboration and innovation. The transformation will ensure that the center remains a hub for student activities and a cornerstone of campus life at YSU.

“Kilcawley Center is an iconic part of YSU’s history, and it will continue to be the heart of student life for generations to come,” Ellen Tressel said. “My parents were passionate about supporting Youngstown State University, and this is a fitting tribute to their legacy. We are honored to be part of this exciting chapter in the university’s history.”

YSU President Bill Johnson also emphasized the significance of the renovation project and the Tressels’ gift. 

“The Kilcawley Center renovation represents more than just an upgrade to a building – it’s an investment in the future of our students and our community,” he said. “Thanks to the continued support of donors like Jim and Ellen, we are creating a space that will serve as a hub for innovation, creativity and connection for years to come.”

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.