YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Longtime supporters of Youngstown State University and the Mahoning Valley, Laura and Paul Lyden, along with Lyden Oil Co., contributed $250,000 to the Kilcawley: Centered on the Future Campaign.
The gift continues a long history of philanthropic support from Lyden Oil and the Lyden family. One of the family’s more prominent gifts was to name Lyden House dormitory on the north side of campus that opened in 1990. The family and company are recognized in YSU’s Stone Bridge Giving Society, which honors those who have contributed between $1 million and $1,999,999.
The Lydens’ latest gift will be recognized through the Monumental Stairs in the renovated Kilcawley Center, providing a tribute to their commitment to the university and its students.
“Once again, I find myself inspired by the incredible generosity of supporters like the Lyden family,” said YSU President Bill Johnson. “Their gift is a testament to the immense respect and admiration that the Lydens have for this university, and it solidifies their place as true champions of Youngstown State. This contribution will ensure that the Kilcawley Center remains a centerpiece for innovation and collaboration, and that generations of students will benefit from the vision we continue to bring to life here at YSU.”
Scott Schulick, chair of the Kilcawley: Centered on the Future Campaign, also praised the Lydens’ generosity.
“The Lydens’ support is a game changer for this campaign,” he said. “Their commitment to YSU and the Mahoning Valley is a shining example of how one family can make a lasting difference. This gift will have a lasting impact on the students and future of this university, and we are incredibly grateful for their leadership and support.”
The Lyden family’s longstanding connection to YSU dates back to 1931, when Paul’s great-uncle, Burke Lyden, founded The Jambar student newspaper at Youngstown College.
In the 1980s, Paul’s father, William G. Lyden Jr., played a critical role in securing funds for the construction of Stambaugh Stadium, and in 1988, he received an honorary degree and delivered the commencement address at YSU’s spring graduation.
Paul’s brother, Mark, served on the YSU Board of Trustees during the 1990s, and in 2019, Paul, Laura and Lyden Oil were named Penguins of the Year for their contributions to the university.
Laura and Paul Lyden are also active members of the YSU community, with Laura joining the YSU Board of Trustees in March 2022. Paul has been a longtime member of the Penguin Club Board of Trustees and remains an active member. From 2001 through 2003, Paul served as president of the Penguin Club Board.
Lyden Oil, a family-owned and operated business founded in Youngstown in 1919 by Paul’s grandfather, William G. Lyden Sr., originally focused on selling oil to ignite coal-powered boilers. The company has since expanded to become a full-service petroleum distributor.
“Family, friends and community are at the core of everything we do, and supporting Youngstown State University is one of the most important ways we can give back to the community that has given us so much,” said Laura Lyden, sales and operations manager and corporate secretary of Lyden Oil. “We are proud to continue our family’s legacy of support for YSU and to be a part of this exciting campaign that will benefit so many students.”
The Kilcawley: Centered on the Future Campaign is designed to transform and modernize Kilcawley Center, which serves as the heart of student life at YSU. The renovation will provide flexible, collaborative spaces that promote innovation, creativity and community-building.