By Nicarlyle Hanchard / The Jambar
Over the past month, a combined total of $1.4 million was donated to the Kilcawley: Centered on the Future Campaign.
The Hynes Finnegan Foundation, long-time supporters of Youngstown State University, donated $475,000 to the campaign Feb. 11.
YSU President Bill Johnson said he is grateful for the foundation’s continued support of YSU, and that the donation will go towards creating an area for student bonding and collaboration.
“This generous donation will help us create a vibrant community treasure, a student-centered space where students, faculty and staff can come together to learn, collaborate and thrive,” Johnson said.
In addition to the campaign donation, to underscore the foundation’s timely support for YSU, the Elm Street entrance to Kilcawley Center will be named “Hynes Entrance” and the Quad entrance will be named “Finnegan Entrance.”
Co-founder of Kalypso and YSU alumnus, George Young, made a $400,000 donation to the campaign March 6.
In recognition of Young’s continued support for YSU, the Student Activities Suites will be named the “Dr. George Young Student Activities Suites.”
Johnson said as the start of construction nears, Young’s contribution will go towards the modernization of not only Kilcawley but YSU as a whole.
“As we continue to lead the way in providing innovative and collaborative spaces for students, Dr. Young’s gift will make a significant contribution to the future of this university,” Johnson said.
Jocelyne Linsalata, YSU alumna and former chair of the YSU Foundation Board of Trustees, made a $320,000 donation to the campaign.
Linsalata, a member of the Advisory Council for the Williamson College of Business Administration, is active within the Youngstown community and involved in various education programs in the Cleveland area. Johnson said her passion for education is reflected in this donation.
“[Linsalata’s] continued dedication to Youngstown State University is a testament to her belief in the power of education and her commitment to the future of our students,” Johnson said.
Her donation will go toward the construction of a meeting room and one of the entrances to the center.
The fourth donation of $250,000 came from Laura and Paul Lyden and the Lyden Oil Company.
This donation extends the family’s continued support of YSU initiatives, most notable in 1990, the family donated to the naming of the Lyden House dormitory.
Laura Lyden, sales and operations manager and corporate secretary of Lyden Oil, said with family and community being central to its operations, giving back to YSU is one way it can sustain support.
“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,” Lyden said.
