Youngstown State University facts for kids
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Former names
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Youngstown Association School (1908–1921) Youngstown Institute of Technology (1921–1928) Youngstown College (1928–1955) Youngstown University (1955–1967) |
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| Motto | Animus Liberatus (Latin) |
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Motto in English
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The Mind Freed |
| Type | Public university |
| Established | 1908 |
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Parent institution
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University System of Ohio |
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Academic affiliations
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| Endowment | $321.5 million (2024) |
| President | Bill Johnson |
| Provost | Brien N. Smith |
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Academic staff
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977 |
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Administrative staff
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160 |
| Students | 11,298 |
| Undergraduates | 9,447 |
| Postgraduates | 1,851 |
| Location |
,
U.S.
41°06′24″N 80°39′01″W / 41.1067°N 80.6503°W |
| Campus | Urban, 160 acres (65 ha) |
| Colors | Cardinal and white |
| Nickname | Penguins |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA Division I Horizon League Missouri Valley Football Conference Mid-American Conference Southland Bowling League |
| Mascot | Pete the Penguin |
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Youngstown State University (often called YSU or Youngstown State) is a big public school in Youngstown, Ohio, United States. It started in 1908. It is the easternmost school in the University System of Ohio.
The university has six colleges for undergraduate students and one for graduate students. Youngstown State University offers over 100 different study programs for students getting their first degree. It also has 50 programs for students who want to continue their studies after college. More than 11,000 students attend YSU. Over 115,000 people have graduated from YSU. They live all over the country and the world.
YSU's sports teams are called the Penguins. They play in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Most teams are part of the Horizon League. The football team plays in the Football Championship Subdivision as part of the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The bowling team is in the Southland Bowling League. The lacrosse team plays in the Mid-American Conference (MAC).
Contents
History of YSU
How the University Started
Youngstown State University began in 1908. The local YMCA started a law school called the Youngstown Association School. In 1921, the school changed its name to the Youngstown Institute of Technology. It started offering evening classes for the first time.
In 1928, the school became Youngstown College. This happened after it added a College of Arts and Sciences. In 1955, the name changed again to Youngstown University. This new name showed that the school was offering more types of classes. On September 1, 1967, Youngstown University became a public school. It was then officially named Youngstown State University.
The next spring, YSU opened a Graduate School. It also opened a College of Applied Science and Technology. In 1974, the College of Fine and Performing Arts was created.
Exploring the Campus
YSU's campus is about 160 acres. It is just north of downtown Youngstown. The campus is known for its beautiful landscaping. It looks different from many other city universities. The center of YSU's campus feels like a park. It has hills, many trees, and plants. There are also tables and chairs around a campus fountain.
Most buildings on campus are newer. They were built in the last 50 years. This makes them newer than many buildings in downtown Youngstown.
Kilcawley Center is a main spot for students and the community. It has places to read and study. There are also computer labs and a copying center. You can find many restaurants there, like Chick-Fil-A and Wendy's. Student media offices are also in Kilcawley Center. These include The Jambar newspaper and Rookery Radio. The center also has rooms for meetings and community events.
Old and Important Buildings
Jones Hall is one of the oldest buildings on campus. It was built in 1931. At that time, YSU was still called Youngstown College. It was the "main building" back then. Today, it is still one of the most famous buildings. It is often photographed. The building was named Jones Hall to honor Dr. Howard Jones. He was the school's first president. Now, it holds administrative offices.
In 2013, an old mansion called the Wick Pollock Inn was changed. It became The University President's House. This project cost YSU over $4 million.
Key Administrative Buildings
- Tod Hall – This building holds the main offices for many university leaders. This includes the president and provost.
- Fok Hall – Fok Hall is home to the Sokolov Honors College. It has offices and classrooms. Built in 1893, Fok Hall is the oldest building on campus. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was renamed in 2014 after a big donation from Maria Fok.
- Veterans Resource Center – This center is special. It was the first of its kind at any university in Ohio. It helps student veterans and military families. It has lounges, computer labs, and community spaces.
- Melnick Hall – This building houses the YSU Foundation. It is also home to the university's public radio station, WYSU-FM 88.5. This station is part of NPR.
- Sweeney Hall – Built in 1908, Sweeney Hall holds the offices for Undergraduate Admissions.
- Clingan-Waddell Hall – This building is home to the YSU Police Department.
Learning and Activity Facilities
- Bliss Hall – Bliss Hall is where the Cliffe College of Creative Arts is located. This includes departments for Art, Theater & Dance, and the Dana School of Music. It also has the Department of Communication. The building has a 390-seat Ford Theatre and many practice rooms. It also has art studios and a TV studio.
- Moser Hall – Built in 1967, Moser Hall is home to the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). It has departments for Geology, Environmental Science, and Engineering. It also houses the Clarence R. Smith Mineral Museum.
- Beeghly Hall – Beeghly Hall is home to the Beeghly College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences, and Education. It was finished in 1998. The building has a 400-seat auditorium. It also hosts programs for the community, like the Community Counseling Center.
- Williamson Hall – This building houses the Williamson College of Business Administration. It opened in 2010. It was built to connect downtown businesses to the college and campus. It also has groups that help new businesses start up.
- Meshel Hall – Meshel Hall is home to the Department of Computer Science. It also has offices for student finances and scholarships.
- Cushwa Hall – The Bitonte College of Health and Human Services is in Cushwa Hall. It is one of the largest buildings on campus. It also has medical exhibits from the Rose Melnick Medical Museum.
- DeBartolo Hall – DeBartolo Hall is home to some departments in the Beeghly College. These include psychology, English, and political science. It also has the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies.
- Lincoln Building – This building is home to the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. It also has the Math Assistance Center.
- Maag Library – The Maag Library opened in 1976. It was named after William F. Maag, Jr., a trustee. It has over 500,000 books. It also lets students access collections from 84 other Ohio schools through the OhioLINK program. The library also has the Writing Center.
- Ward Beecher Hall - This building houses the departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics and Astronomy. It has 31 labs, including a planetarium and a greenhouse. The planetarium was updated recently. It has new seats and projectors. It shows the night sky on a 40-foot dome. Many students take astronomy classes here. The planetarium also offers free shows for the public.
Museums and Collections
The McDonough Museum of Art is one of two art museums in Youngstown. It is connected to YSU's Department of Art. It shows art from students, teachers, and local artists.
The Butler Institute of American Art is also on YSU's campus. It is a very important art museum in the city.
Archives and Special Collections These collections are on the fifth floor of Maag Library. They keep important historical items. These items are about the school, Youngstown, and Mahoning County. They also show the area's history in the iron and steel industry.
What You Can Study
YSU has many colleges where you can study different subjects:
- Beeghly College of Liberal Arts, Social Science & Education
- Bitonte College of Health and Human Services
- Cliffe College of Creative Arts
- College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
- Williamson College of Business Administration
- College of Graduate Studies
- Sokolov Honors College
YSU offers advanced degrees like doctorates in educational leadership and physical therapy. It also works with Rhodes University for a doctorate in mathematics. YSU also partners with other universities for a special BS-MD program. This program helps students become doctors. YSU has 45 master's programs and over 100 undergraduate majors.
The Dana School of Music at YSU is an "All-Steinway" school. This means they use only Steinway pianos. It is one of the oldest music schools in the United States. The Williamson College of Business is a top business school. It is approved by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Besides regular four-year programs, YSU also has online degrees. They also offer three-year degree paths.
Student Life at YSU
Where Students Live
YSU is working to have more places for students to live on campus. In 2015, new student housing was built. University Edge YSU has 162 beds. The Enclave has 163 beds. It also has a fitness center and outdoor patio. These new buildings give students more choices for living close to campus.
- Cafaro House – This building opened in 1995. It is for students in the Honors College and special learning groups. It has 283 beds, free laundry, a game room, and study spaces.
- Kilcawley House – Kilcawley House is connected to Kilcawley Center. It has a game room, lounges, and music practice rooms. It can house 226 students.
- Lyden House – Opened in 1991, Lyden House can hold up to 334 students. It has lounges, fitness rooms, and computer labs.
- Wick House – Built in 1906, Wick House is a four-story mansion. It is for up to 32 older students. It has a laundry room and recreation space.
- Weller House – This building has 16 apartment-style units. Each unit has a bathroom and kitchen. These apartments are for older students, graduate students, or students with families.
- Buechner Hall – This is a private residence hall for women. It can house up to 75 women. It also offers its own dining services.
- University Courtyard Apartments – These apartments were built in 2004. They are privately owned. They can house up to 200 students.
Greek Life (Fraternities and Sororities)
Youngstown State University has different Greek groups. These include fraternities (for men) and sororities (for women). They are part of three main councils: Interfraternity Council (IFC), National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), and the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC).
Fraternities
- Alpha Phi Delta
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon
- Sigma Tau Gamma
- Sigma Chi
- Theta Chi
Sororities
- Alpha Omicron Pi
- Alpha Xi Delta
- Delta Zeta
- Zeta Tau Alpha
Pan-Hellenic Conference Sororities
- Alpha Kappa Alpha
- Delta Sigma Theta
- Zeta Phi Beta
- Phi Sigma Rho
Pan-Hellenic Council Fraternity
- Omega Psi Phi
Student Body and Community Programs
As of fall 2019, about 12,155 students attended YSU. About 10% of these were high school students taking college classes. YSU has about 2,100 full and part-time staff. There are 426 full-time teachers. Most teachers have advanced degrees. There are 14 students for every teacher.
YSU used to be mostly a school for students who lived at home. Now, more students live on or near campus. About 1.5% of students are from other countries. They come from about 45 different countries.
YSU used to be part of the Youngstown Early College program. This program let high school students earn college credit.
Special Centers and Programs
YSU has several special centers. These centers focus on research and helping the economy. Some examples are:
- Center for Transportation and Materials Engineering
- Center of Excellence in Materials Science and Engineering
- Center of Excellence in International Business
- Center for Applied Chemical Biology
- Institute for Applied Topology
- Natural Gas and Water Resources Institute
YSU is also home to the Center for Working Class Studies. It offers a Regional and American Studies program. This was the first program of its kind in the United States. The school even helped the University of Chicago start a similar program.
Sports at YSU
Youngstown State has many sports teams for men and women. These include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, swimming, diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, and bowling.
Football Team
The Youngstown State Penguins Football team plays in college football. They are part of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision. They play in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC). The Penguins play their home games at Stambaugh Stadium. This stadium is often called "The Ice Castle."
YSU football has been very successful. They have won four national championships. This is the third-highest number of titles in their division. Overall, YSU has been in the playoffs 11 times.
Basketball Teams
The Youngstown State Penguins Women's Basketball and Youngstown State Penguins Men's Basketball teams play in the Horizon League. They have been members since 2001. The women's team has played in the NCAA Division I Tournament three times. The men's team has played in the NCAA Division II Tournament nine times.
Sports Facilities
The Youngstown State Penguins is the name for all of YSU's sports teams. The university is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Division I. The football team plays in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Most other sports teams play in the Horizon League.
Stambaugh Stadium
Stambaugh Stadium is a large stadium on campus. It was built in 1982. It is mainly used for the Youngstown State Penguins football team. The stadium can hold 20,630 people. It also has the university's ROTC branch. The DeBartolo Stadium Club is also there. It has great views of Youngstown.
Beeghly Center
The Beeghly Physical Education Center, or "Beeghly Center," is a large arena. It has 6,300 seats and was built in 1972. It is home to the kinesiology and sports sciences department. It has an Olympic-sized swimming pool and courts for racquetball.
Softball Complex
This complex was finished in 2014. It is home to the softball team. It has seats for over 200 fans.
Eastwood Field
Eastwood Field is a baseball stadium not on campus. It is home to the Youngstown State Penguins Baseball team. The stadium is in Niles, Ohio.
Famous People from YSU
Many people have graduated from Youngstown State University. You can find a list of them at List of Youngstown State University people.
