Barr trust, Huntington give to YSU campaign

The contributions will go toward construction of the new $34 million business college building.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — The E.M. Barr Charitable Trust and The Huntington Foundation have pledged a total of $175,000 to Youngstown State University’s Centennial Capital Campaign.

The gifts, $100,000 from Huntington and $75,000 from the Barr trust, will help in the construction of the new building for the Williamson College of Business Administration.

“Like YSU, the E.M. Barr Charitable Trust and The Huntington Foundation are both committed to excellence of service,” said Frank Hierro, president of Huntington Bank’s Mahoning Valley Region. “By joining together, our impact on the community will be greater and more YSU students will reap the benefits.”

Both the E.M. Barr Charitable Trust and The Huntington Foundation have a history of supporting YSU, from student scholarships to funding for construction of the Andrews Student Recreation and Wellness Center. Huntington said it is committed to improving the quality of life and promoting diversity in the communities where they have a presence.

“We are indebted to our community partners like Huntington National Bank and the E.M. Barr Charitable Trust for their continued support,” said Dr. David C. Sweet, YSU president. “Without them, the new WCBA building would not be possible.”

A key goal of the new building for the business college is to facilitate working partnerships between YSU faculty and students and the downtown business community. The gifts from the Barr trust and Huntington mirror that goal. The gifts also support contributing to the economic development of Youngstown by preparing students to become business leaders, according to Sweet.

The E.M. Barr Charitable Trust and The Huntington Foundation’s gifts are a part of YSU’s $43 million Centennial Capital Campaign, the largest fund-raising campaign in the university’s 100-year history.