New Building Links YSU to Downtown Y-Town
It began with the largest gift in Youngstown State University history. In 2006, the family of the late Warren P. Williamson Jr., founder of Youngstown’s WKBN Broadcasting Corp. announced its intent to contribute $5 million to the construction of the new Williamson College of Business Administration building. This $34.3 million project located at the south end of the YSU campus is slated to begin construction this month. According to an article in a recent Youngstown State University Alumni Magazine, this new facility is considered the centerpiece of YSU’s Centennial Master Plan.
“The new building will provide the spaces, technologies and professional environment necessary to keep YSU competitive in recruiting and retaining the best students and faculty,” said Betty Jo Licata, dean of the business college, as quoted by the YSU Alumni Magazine. “It will enrich the teaching-learning environment and will support business services to the region.”
Raising the funds needed to build this state of the art facility is edging towards its goal. Besides private donations, the YSU Centennial Capital Campaign headed up by area business leader Tony Lariccia is also closing in on their goal for the project. Having already raised close to $12.4 million with $3.6 million still to be met, it was recently announced the Kresege Foundation, an independent private foundation which offers grants to nonprofit institutions has awarded a $1.2 million challenge grant to the effort. If YSU can raise another $2.4 million, Kresege will provide $1.2 million to meet the YSU Centennial Capital Campaign’s goal of raising $16 million for the project.
“This grant will help give us the push needed to put the fundraising campaign for the new building over the top,” YSU President David C. Sweet said in the January 2009 issue of Metro Monthly magazine.
What is most exciting about the new Williamson College of Business Administration facility is its intent. Its location on Rayen Avenue, North Hazel Street, Phelps Street and Wood Street – where it will fill a city – block links it to the YSU campus and the downtown area of Youngstown. Here it is hoped area business leaders, students and faculty will meet and inter-mingle making the structure a facilitator of melding seasoned business professionals with newly degreed business students.
Designed by Strollo Architects, Youngstown and Perkins & Will, an international architecture and planning firm, the new three-story Williamson College of Business Administration facility will house classrooms and computer labs as well as offices and meeting rooms. With the success of the Youngstown Incubator as a model, this new building will support a center for small business development and its own student business incubator. Adding to its overall uniqueness, the Williamson College of Business Administration building will also feature a 200 seat auditorium, a café and an atrium.
Youngstown State University is already known for its fine business school which has produced many success stories. Now this program’s excellent reputation will have a fantastic physical facility to match.
Visit www.wcba.ysu.edu/newWCBA.html to view images of the October 2008 groundbreaking ceremonies and take a virtual tour of the artist’s rendition of the facilities exterior facade and interior design.
