Political, Business Leaders Cheer YSU's Pick of Tressel
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Political and business leaders agree that Youngstown State University's selection of Jim Tressel as its next president (READ STORY) will take YSU to the next level at a time when the school needs it the most.
"Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!" exclaimed Tom Humphries, president and CEO of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber. "We're elated that the offer has been extended and that he's received it favorably."
Humphries says that the ties between the business community and YSU can only be strengthened with Tressel at the helm. "He'll hit the floor running. He already has a relationship with the business community who spoke up early in the process about their interests."
More than 30 prominent business, labor and community leaders signed a letter in February to the YSU Board of Trustees in support of Tressel, following the unexpected announcement that then-president Randy Dunn was leaving to become the president of Southern Illinois University after just seven months at YSU.
"I see us working closely together in advancing the community and the university," Humphries said, noting that private-public partnerships as well as research collaborations could reach a new level because of his relationships with businesses across the state. "I'm personally excited to work with him again," Humphries said.
Those that signed the letter to the trustees -- initiated by U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-13 (READ RYAN'S REACTION) -- were also glad that the university selected Tressel for the post.
"I was glad to hear that the unions also endorsed him," said Doug Sweeney, president of Sweeney Chevrolet, Buick, GMC in Boardman, and one of the businessmen who signed the initial letter. "Faculty relationships are so important."
Four labor organizations at YSU, the chapter of the Ohio Education Association, the YSU Fraternal Order of Police, the Association of Classified Employees, and the Association of Professional and Administrative Staff, issued a statement May 7 in support of Tressel before the last finalist, Mary Cullinan, left campus.
"He'll be a tremendous leader," Sweeney stated. "He'll unite the community, push the university forward and be the catalyst for the entire community to grow."
Mayor John McNally described himself as "very happy" at YSU's decision. "Jim Tressel understands the importance of how the university fits within the city environment and the city administration," he said.
McNally noted that he and Tressel met for about an hour just over a month ago. "I knew he was interested in the job and we discussed some ideas. With Jim, there's not going to be a learning curve with the city and the community."
The mayor said that he looks forward to a productive working relationship with Tressel and YSU. "I'm glad it's worked out for Youngstown State," he said.
The YSU Board of Trustees met in an emergency session at 7:30 this morning to review the three finalists for the post. Gary L. Miller, chancellor of the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and Cullinan, president at Southern Oregon University, were the other two.
Tressel, former head coach of the Penguins football team and the Ohio State University Buckeyes, was also a finalist for the presidency at the University of Akron, where he is executive vice president for student success.
However, Akron announced last evening that it had tapped Scott L. Scarborough as its next president.
Sudershan Garg, chairman of YSU board, said the position was extended to Tressel this morning after trustees concluded their meeting.
"Nobody's perfect and has a completely clean slate," Garg told reporters, alluding to questions raised about Tressel's integrity related to a tattoos-for-memorabilia scandal at OSU that forced his resignation and led to NCAA sanctions against the team and some of its key players.
Still, Tressel's ties to the Mahoning Valley are strong, prompting the support from the business community to bring him back to lead YSU.
"We all felt that he would be the best candidate," Garg said. "He is the strongest candidate to lead the university in the remaining decade and perhaps beyond." Garg said that Tressel is likely to receive more support from students, faculty, community leaders, and state and federal legislators.
"He's charismatic and a great communicator," Garg said of the trustees’ choice.
Despite the overwhelming public support for Tressel, the presidential search was "a very fair process" that included a third-party consultant. He said the estimated cost for the presidential search should come in around $25,000, "plus or minus $5,000."
The presidential search committee was pleased at how rapidly the search for a new president progressed in the wake of Dunn's official departure in mid-March.
The presidential appointment isn't final until a contract is negotiated and approved, Garg said. "I can assure you, a new contract would be updated for the times," he said, and would include "liquidation damages" should the new president leave his post before the contract expires.
"We have to move forward," Garg said.
Copyright 2014 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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