YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University alumni Suellen and Michael Weir are giving back to their alma mater with a $1 million gift to establish a new scholarship.

The scholarship is intended to relieve the financial barriers for students to go on to successful and productive lives.

“Our time at YSU was second-to-none, where we were offered a quality education that impacted our lives,” the Weirs said in a statement. “A good education is a basis for future opportunities, and we are thrilled to help YSU students on their path to obtaining a degree.”

The Suellen and Michael Weir Scholarship will be available in the future for full-time YSU undergraduate engineering or sciences majors, with the award covering 50 percent of a student’s tuition.

Eligible students must have a grade-point average of at least 3.0; the scholarship would be eligible for renewal through the application and selection process.

Suellen attended Cardinal Mooney High School and received her bachelor’s degree in education from YSU in 1973. Michael and Suellen met at YSU, and Suellen was named homecoming queen in 1970.

Michael, a graduate of North Lima High School, earned his bachelor’s degree from YSU in mechanical engineering in 1971, and a master’s in business administration in 1977. After graduation, Mike went on to work for Youngstown Sheet and Tube, Babcock and Wilcox, and Ingersoll-Rand. In 1982, he founded Total Equipment Company, a supplier of pumps and air compressors for Pennsylvania and West Virginia, including sales and service.

“Their generosity will assist future generations of students by lessening their financial concerns, all the while receiving the best education possible,”said YSU Foundation President Paul McFadden.

Founded in 1966, the YSU Foundation is the nonprofit fundraising arm of YSU. In the 2020-21 academic year, the foundation is providing a record $9.9 million in scholarship and program support for YSU students.

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