By Nicholas Bianco and Raeghan Hilton / Jambar Contributors
Since its dedication in 1966, Youngstown State University’s Kilcawley Center has served as an area for students to lounge, study, eat and participate in recreational games and activities.
Construction of the Kilcawley Center began in 1960 after a $300,000 donation made by William H. Kilcawley and his wife Mattie Kilcawley, whom the center is named after.
Cassie Nespor, curator for the University Archives and the Rose Melnick Medical Museum, said former YSU students requested a student center to be constructed.
“Students needed a place on campus where they could meet and socialize, have meetings for student groups and find food,” Nespor said.
Lisa Garofali, archives and records management specialist for YSU Archives and Special Collections, said the idea of building a student union began in the 1950s.
“We just had a growth of student population. We wanted the student life,” Garofali said.
Nespor said Kilcawley Center changed the atmosphere of YSU, as social spaces were added for students to stay on campus longer.
“It dramatically changed the feel of campus and the student experience, ” Nespor said.
From the 1970s to 1990s, YSU was the home of a bar known as The Pub.
“The Pub is something that students today probably don’t know about, but they did serve beer down in the bottom level of Kilcawley, where The Hub is now,” Nespor said. “It was a place for students to go and hang out, either in between classes or afterward.”
According to Nespor, actor and comedian Ed O’Neil worked as manager of The Pub for a short time.
Garofali said The Pub was a memorable place for YSU alumni.
“It’s kind of sad we don’t really have anything like that on campus anymore,” Garofali said.
YSU alumni Scott Schulick said The Pub featured entertainment for students
“There might be a comedian, music or some sort of contest,” Schulick said. “Periodically there were activities.”
YSU President Bill Johnson’s installation ceremony was the first to take place in Kilcawley Center. Nespor said previous installations have taken place in Stambaugh Auditorium and Beeghly Center.
Kilcawley Center has hosted the YSU English Festival since its founding in 1978. Other events such as History Day and math and science competitions have been hosted at Kilcawley Center.
“It’s a great way for the community to come on campus and use space,” Nespor said.
According to Nespor, Wicker Basket and Sbarro Pizza were notable restaurants located in Kilcawley Center. Wicker Basket was located where Chick-fil-A is now.
“A very different vibe than what’s in Kilcawley Center now, [a] very different energy compared to Chick-fil-A,” Nespor said.
Schulick said Wicker Basket was a nice sit-down restaurant on campus where faculty would have meetings.
“I had a lot of lunch meetings there. It was a little more of a sit-down restaurant with table service and it was fun,” Schulick said.
According to Nespor, an art gallery was located in Kilcawley Center before there were art museums on campus.
“It was a place for student work to be displayed, but also [for] other works to be brought in such as traveling exhibits,” Nespor said.
Despite the various changes in restaurants over the years, Kilcawley Center still remains an area for student involvement.
Sources
Scott Schulick, YSU alumni, [email protected]
Lisa Garofali, archives & records management specialist, [email protected]
Cassie Nespor, Curator, Maag Library University Archives and Special Collections [email protected]
