YSU scholarship honors former WKBN executive
J.D. Williamson II, former president and CEO of WKBN, has made a $100,000 gift to the Youngstown State University Foundation to establish a scholarship in memory of Doris Saloom for her dedicated service to WKBN and the Williamson family.
The Doris Saloom Memorial Scholarship will be annually awarded to a woman enrolled in Youngstown State University’s Williamson College of Business Administration, with a minimum 3.0 GPA required.
While a preference for students from Mahoning County is encouraged, students from Trumbull or Columbiana counties also may be considered. The selection is to be made by the scholarship committee of the YSU Foundation.
“Doris was a valuable member of the WKBN team,” said Williamson. “She was an integral part of both the company and the Williamson Family Foundation. It is an honor to establish a scholarship in her name that recognizes her 43 years of dedication and hard work.”
Doris was a 1954 graduate of Campbell Memorial High School. She married her husband Emil in 1966. They were married for 59 years until she died Aug. 28. He died less than three months later, on Nov. 18.
Doris worked for two generations of the Williamson family for more than 43 years as part of their radio and television business, rising to the position of vice president of WKBN Corp. She was intimately involved in all phases of the company, including the Williamson Family Foundation.
The Youngstown State University Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization that supports student scholarships, student development and career opportunities.


