Thursday, February 20, 2014YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Howland, led a group of business and community leaders Monday in signing his letter to Youngstown State University’s Board of Trustees that requests they quickly appoint Jim Tressel as YSU's president.
Tressel is executive vice president for student success for Univerity of Akron (CLICK HERE). He did not apply for the position when YSU was looking for a successor to Cynthia Anderson, and eventually selected Randy J. Dunn, who resigned Monday after just seven months on the job.
The University of Akron is currently conducting a search to replace Luis M. Proenza, who is retiring as of June 30. It has engaged the same consulting company, R. William Runk & Associates, that recruited Dunn to Southern Illinois University.
In December Tressel was promoted to executive vice president at the University of Akron, "a position that could be seen as another step toward succeeding Proenza," reported The Plain Dealer (READ STORY).
In January, Crain's Cleveland Business reported (READ STORY), "Tressel's responsibilities have grown to include some of the most important functions of the university -- recruitment, admissions, student advising and marketing, among them. Some perceive the growing role as evidence Mr. Tressel is being groomed to succeed Dr. Luis Proenza ... Both men deny such is the case."
Among those signing Ryan's letter that urges Tressel's appointment as president of YSU are Anthony Cafaro Sr., Sam Covelli, Denise DeBartolo-York, Ron Klingle and Tom Humphries.
"We all have known Jim personally for many years and strongly believe that he will bring all of the skill and experience needed to lead Youngstown State University forward," Ryan's letter states. "We hope that the Board considers moving expeditiously to make this happen"
Here is the full text of the letter and the list of those who signed it:
As long time supporters of Youngstown State University, we are writing to offer our full and unequivocal support behind Jim Tressel to be the next President of Youngstown State University. We hope that the Board considers moving expeditiously to make this happen. We all have known Jim personally for many years and strongly believe that he will bring all of the skill and experience needed to lead Youngstown State University forward. He understands the importance of YSU's relationship to the cities of Youngstown, Warren, our surrounding communities, America Makes, the Youngstown Business Incubator and the role of STEM in our future economic initiatives. He knows the importance of university collaborations with the private sector and local workforce. And he has the relationships and obvious leadership skills to build both the financial and organizational support for the YSU initiatives that will grow the University and broader economy.
Given the current circumstance, we hope you would consider making an offer quickly so that we can move forward and build upon the great progress that has been made in the Mahoning Valley.
The world is a very dynamic and complicated place today, but the most important indicator of the success of any institution today is leadership. If an institution has strong, visionary and resilient leadership, it will succeed. We believe Jim Tressel will provide that kind of leadership and take YSU and the Mahoning Valley to the next level.
I have been in communications with the following community leaders and they have agreed to lend their support to this effort:
Sincerely,
Tim Ryan
Copyright 2014 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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