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YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel is rarely surprised by anything.
However, Tressel was brought nearly to tears Thursday when the Youngstown State University Foundation established an endowed faculty or executive administrative position in his honor for his 35 years of leadership at YSU and across the region.
The foundation raised $1.6 million for the annual endowed chair.
"President Tressel's influence has transformed the institution by raising its stature, reputation and significance to exceptional levels," Jocelyne Kollay Linsalata, former chair of the YSU Foundation Board of Trustees, said.
"His ability to convene diverse groups and engage their support behind regional economic development projects has been a catalytic force behind the Mahoning Valley's advancement over the past decade."
"This generous effort by some of the region's most prominent leaders acknowledges and celebrates President Tressel's long, successful legacy in the Mahoning Valley," Paul McFadden, YSU Foundation president, said. "He represents the very essence of a great leader, a legacy that will now live forever through this endowed chair."
In all, nine YSU Foundation trustees already have pledged $1.6 million to create the endowed chair position.
"I was totally caught of guard," Tressel said. "Members of the foundation believe in leadership and helping young people grow in those areas. They want to recognize and encourage faculty."
Tressel said he will stay focused on the moment and try not to look too far into the future.
"I've always told my teams you have to go one day at time," he said.
Tressell said he learned a great deal since coming to YSU as its president.
"I spent a great deal of time in one profession (football coach) and then spent two years as a vice president at the University of Akron," he said. "I studied hard in this enterprise. Everyday and every year has been a learning experience."
"I spend a lot of time picking the brains of our students," he said. "They are the ones we are trying to impact."
The President James P. Tressel Endowed Chair in Leadership will recognize a YSU faculty member or executive administrator who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and outstanding scholarly work. The position will be non-discipline specific and may represent any college or department at YSU.
The $1.6 million was gifted by YSU Foundation Board of Trustees members Jocelyne Kollay Linsalata, Alan Cope, Anthony Cafaro (Cafaro Family Foundation), Anthony Payiavlas, Lee and Bonnie Burdman, Marty Solomon, Ed Muransky, Don Constantini and Dr. Gary Bitonte (Bitonte Foundation).
Now that the initial funding for the endowed chair has been secured, the endeavor will continue to a public phase, allowing all members of the YSU community the opportunity to contribute. Based on the level of additional gifts received, the goal is to also create the James P. Tressel Center for Leadership, designed to empower students to make meaningful differences wherever their paths take them. It will support opportunities through credit courses, workshops, leadership projects and more to prepare students to become strong, impactful leaders of the future.
The gift is part of YSU's $125 million "We See Tomorrow" capital campaign, the largest fundraising effort in the university's history.
Tressel earned a bachelor's degree in education from Baldwin-Wallace College in 1975 and a master's degree in education from the University of Akron in 1977. He also holds honorary degrees from YSU in 2001 and Baldwin-Wallace in 2003.
He came to YSU in 1986 as head football coach. In 15 years, including six as executive director of Intercollegiate Athletics, YSU appeared in the playoffs 10 times and won four national championships. In January 2001, Tressel left YSU to become head football coach at The Ohio State University. In 10 seasons, he guided the Buckeyes to the 2002 National Championship and seven Big Ten Championships. After leaving Ohio State, Tressel served as executive vice president for Student Success at the University of Akron, and then returned to YSU in 2014 as president.
Under Tressel's leadership, enrollment increased for the first time in five years. In addition, the university has set new fundraising records, held down tuition increases, expanded scholarship opportunities and increased both university and private housing options across campus.
Tressel has worked with local, state and federal leaders to boost economic development in and around the region, including major improvement projects along main corridors through campus and workforce development partnerships that include the new Excellence Training Center now under construction on the south end of campus.
Tressel has given hundreds of presentations and lectures across the country and has had extensive involvement in fund raising and philanthropy, including personally making a $1 million gift to create the Jim and Ellen Tressel Student Work Opportunity Endowment Fund at YSU.
Tressel's wife, Ellen, a YSU graduate, is an accomplished businessperson and philanthropist who remains engaged in charitable causes and community organizations in cities where she and her husband have built their careers and raised their family, including Youngstown, Columbus and Akron. She began her financial career in her family's business in Youngstown and served 17 years as an executive at Butler, Wick and Co.
They are the parents of four adult children, Zak, Carlee, Eric and Whitney.