Staff photo / Dan Pompili Charles George, vice chair of the Youngstown State University Board of Trustees, administers the oath of office to new trustee Sterling Williams at Friday’s board meeting. In the background, from left to right, Trustees Richard Fryda, Joseph Kerola, Michael Peterson, and Sergul Erzurum.

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown State Board of Trustees welcomed a new member to its ranks Friday.

As the final meeting of the 2023-24 fiscal year began, Trustee Charles George swore in Sterling Williams, well known to the Youngstown-Warren area as the owner of Sterling McCullough Williams Funeral Home.

The university announced Williams’ appointment by Gov. Mike DeWine on May 31. Williams replaces Molly Seals, and will serve a nine-year term, through June 2035.

“Sterling brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the community to the YSU Board of Trustees,” said YSU President Bill Johnson, president of Youngstown State University.

“His leadership and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to advance our mission of providing high-quality education, fostering community partnerships and making YSU the anchor university in Northeast Ohio.”

According to the university press release, Williams manages multiple companies in addition to his funeral homes, including Tax Master Accounting and Tax Services Inc., Twin Realty and Leasing LLC, and Steel Town LLC.

Williams was born and raised in Youngstown and graduated from Rayen High School.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Miami University in 1977, and an MBA from Kent State University in 1980.

Williams said he is proud and honored to serve on the board and touted his Youngstown roots as motivation to lead the university to prosperity, and said enrollment growth is an important factor.

“I realize things are getting a bit complicated because the population is dropping, and I’m hoping we can increase enrollment so we can maintain our viability,” he said.

“And when we’re talking about retention, what can we do with the Youngstown school system in order to get more children eligible to attend the university and then create some mentorship programs to help them not only become a part of the university but become graduates of the university.”

Williams also said YSU’s new focus on workforce development will help attract and retain new students, and entice them to remain in Youngstown.

“I hope we can develop our workforce locally, so we can take students from YSU, prepare them so they can take these new jobs that are coming into the area, so not only do you attend school here, but you can stay here and work here as well,” he said.

Williams said he is looking forward to learning the role and taking on responsibilities to make the most of his nine-year term on the board.

At the end of that time, he said he hopes YSU at least maintains its position and reputation in the state.

“If you look at the statistics, we’re in the top third of schools in the state of Ohio,” he said. “Obviously you’d like to be the best, but I would like it to be viable, to be financially solvent. I hope the courses we’re teaching are relevant and we can maintain a good teacher to student ratio.”

In addition to his business profile, Williams has served on several boards, including: the Youngstown State University Penguins Club; The Western Reserve Port Authority; the Warren-Youngstown Economic Development Committee; Association of Ohio Commodores; The Medici Museum of Art; Community Foundation Hospice Trust of Trumbull County; Visiting Nurses Board of Northeastern, Ohio; and the Frank Bentley Scholarship Foundation. Halso is involved with multiple community organizations, including the Warren-Trumbull Urban League, Hillside Hospital and local chapters for United Way, Red Cross and the N.A.A.C.P (Trumbull County).

“As Chair of the Board of Trustees, I am thrilled to welcome Sterling Williams to our team,” said Trustees Chair Mike Peterson. “His remarkable track record of community leadership and business expertise will undoubtedly propel YSU forward. I have no doubt that his contributions will enhance the educational experience for all our students.”

DeWine also appointed Zane Perrico as a student trustee.

A graduate of Canfield High School, Perrico is a YSU junior majoring in Physics and Mathematics. The son of two YSU alumni, Perrico replaces Julie Centofanti, who graduated, and will serve a two-year term as a student trustee.

“Zane is hard working, dedicated and passionate about advocating for his fellow students’ success,” said Johnson. “He is going to be a true asset to the YSU Board of Trustees.”

Perrico is a member of the YSU Sokolov Honors College and a YSU Student Senator, serving on the Academic Programs Committee, Academic Grievances Board and Calendar and Course Schedule Task Force.

Perrico works on campus as a peer tutor in the Resch Academic Success Center, assisting fellow students in their studies. He also serves as a student employee in the Physics, Astronomy, Geology, and Environmental Science department in the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

Perrico is a member of the National Mathematics Honors Society and the American Physical Society. He has also served in leadership roles in the Society of Physics Students and the Rocket Club.