Early Start at YSU; Challenges at Eastern Gateway
U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson submitted his resignation from Congress on Tuesday and will begin his term as the 10th president of Youngstown State University on Jan. 22.
“With his contract indicating he would start prior to March 15, 2024, we are excited to have him on campus earlier than anticipated,” Michael Peterson, YSU trustee chairman, said in an email.
Former YSU presidents weighed in on the selection of Johnson and the search process.
David C. Sweet, who served as YSU president from 2000 to 2010, issued a letter denouncing “the indefensible action of the Youngstown State University Board of Trustees” in choosing Johnson. In a letter sent to The Business Journal on Wednesday, Cynthia Anderson, who served as YSU president from 2010 to 2013, didn’t take a direct position about the YSU trustees’ selection, but she urged the community to “stop and reflect.”
Sweet’s and Anderson’s letters follow one sent last week by Leslie H. Cochran, who served as YSU president from 1992 to 2000. “Both the board and the congressman can, or in concert can, bring closure to what most people see as a nightmare for YSU and the expanded Youngstown community,” Cochran wrote.
Meanwhile, Eastern Gateway Community College is facing its own challenges. At a meeting Monday, the chief of staff of the Ohio Department of Higher Education said the state wants to work with Eastern Gateway but added he’s never worked with a college in such a dire financial situation. Then on Thursday, local, state and federal law enforcement officers and agents searched the college’s main offices in Steubenville as part of an investigation.
Here’s a look at those stories and other top stories this week from BusinessJournalDaily.com:
Johnson’s Term as YSU President to Begin Jan. 22
U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson will begin his term as the 10th president of Youngstown State University on Jan. 22.
An email sent to campus by Michael Peterson, YSU trustee chairman, on behalf of the trustees, said Johnson submitted his resignation from Congress on Tuesday, effective at the end of the day Jan. 21.
“With his contract indicating he would start prior to March 15, 2024, we are excited to have him on campus earlier than anticipated,” Peterson’s email said. READ
Law Enforcement Searches Eastern Gateway’s Steubenville Offices
Local, state and federal law enforcement officers and agents searched Eastern Gateway Community College’s main offices in Steubenville as part of an investigation Thursday.
The search included law enforcement from the state auditor’s special investigations unit, the U.S. Secret Service, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol Computer Crimes Unit, Columbus Police Digital Forensics Unit and the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence. READ
Organizations Plant Seeds to Grow Leaders
An aging population in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys means a potential shortage of individuals to lead government, industry and organizations. But several programs aim to stem that shortage by cultivating leadership across the demographic landscape.
Leadership Mahoning Valley, the Homegrown Initiative at Penn-Northwest Development Corporation in Hermitage, Pa., the Raymond John Wean Foundation in Warren and the James P. Tressel Institute for Leadership & Teamwork at Youngstown State University are some of the organizations addressing the challenge. READ
Boom! Columbiana County Gushed Oil in 2023
Oil production gushed to heights once thought unfathomable throughout Columbiana County during 2023, representing a new phase in drilling operations in this section of the Utica/Point Pleasant shale formation.
Through the first nine months of 2023 – the most recent production data available – horizontal wells across the county collectively produced 728,413 barrels of oil, according to records from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Oil and Gas Division. READ
Our Growth Report: New Editorial Content, Tressel Podcast and 40 Years
New Year’s is a time for reflection and new beginnings. Here at The Business Journal, we will do both throughout 2024.
We will recognize your growth and milestones with two Growth Report issues in January and February and celebrate our 40-year anniversary with a keepsake double issue in July. And retired Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel will join us on our 2024 journey with a new podcast feature. READ
Other Top Stories
Former YSU President Denounces Trustees’ ‘Indefensible Action’
YSU’s 7th President Asks Community to ‘Stop and Reflect’
Poland Assisted Living Facility Sold for $4M
Eastern Gateway Works to Address Financial Woes
Emerging Leaders: ‘Taking the Lead to Give Back’
Lordstown Motors Chapter 11 Exit Plan Complicated by Objections
Naffah Development Purchases Retail Plaza for $1.1M
City Plans $2.9M Project on Boardman, Walnut Streets
La Casa Mexicana Restaurant Opens in Boardman
Special Needs Students Get Real World Experience at St. Joe’s
Brown Calls for Trade Reforms that Protect American Workers
Seniors Will Show Off Talents at Robins Theatre
Stocks Struggle to Start 2024 | The Investors Edge
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