DEAR EDITOR:

I would like to congratulate Youngstown State University Board of Trustees for selecting U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson as the next university president. The board clearly took their time to find the right candidate, and landed a good one with Rep. Johnson.

There is a renaissance on campus, with new buildings, road infrastructure, Penguins athletics and, of course, rock-solid academics. Rep. Johnson is uniquely qualified to build on this momentum.

His career in the U.S. Air Force and in Congress is helpful experience for YSU’s future. For example, he knows how to navigate government resources to get grant funding for things like infrastructure projects and research initiatives, much-deserved funding, which reduces the burden on tuition and fuels growth and innovation. He knows the economy of the area, having championed job-creating industries like natural gas, manufacturing and technology. Working with the businesses and the Regional Chamber he knows how to connect students with workforce needs to ensure they can graduate and land great careers in the Mahoning Valley. This is the type of work Johnson has done throughout his career.

As a proud YSU graduate and coming from a family of YSU alumni, I am excited about the future of the university under President Johnson and wish him well. His success is YSU’s success. That benefits all students, faculty, alumni and the entire region.

GEORGE BROWN

Etna