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Dr. Ronald E. Domen, ’72, BA
One of my fondest memories at YSU was of Dr. Elmer Foldvary, a chemistry professor, who taught me three quarters of organic chemistry. During our first laboratory session, he said, “Class, Youngstown is the most dangerous place between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Pay attention to your experiments.” It wasn’t long after that pronouncement that a student succeeded in creating an explosion in the laboratory. Dr. Foldvary was very approachable and took an erstwhile student under his wing and encouraged me to do the best I could. Eventually I earned an “A” in the third class of his that I was enrolled in, and he wrote me an excellent letter of recommendation for medical school. I attended YSU between 1968 and 1971, before I headed off to Mexico to go to medical school. I will be forever indebted to YSU for providing me with an opportunity to succeed. Thank you. (Dr. Domen of Hummelstown, Pa., is a professor of pathology, medicine, and humanities and associate dean for graduate medical education at Penn State University College of Medicine.)
Jennifer Suhovecky Gallo ’99, BSAS, ’04, BSE, ’05, MPH My favorite memories at YSU all stem from one defining semester when I took Dr. Kathy Akpom’s human sexuality course. I had yet to determine what major I was going to pursue. But after having such an amazing professor – who truly cared about her students – I knew what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to
strive to be like Dr. Akpom. After that class, I declared community health as my major and then went on to obtain an MPH as well, all because I had an educator who made students eager to learn because of her enthusiasm and passion. The fact that my future husband, Justin Gallo, ’00, was also in that class was an added bonus. Thank you, Dr. Akpom, and Youngstown State for providing me with the education I needed to follow my dreams.
(Gallo, who resides in North Ridgeville, Ohio, is a health educator and outreach coordinator for Family Planning Services of Lorain County.) The staff of the YSU Magazine want to hear more memories about your university for the special centennial issue to be published in Winter 2008. Don’t miss your opportunity to share your memories in the Centennial issue of the YSU Magazine. Forward memories to universitymagazine@ysu.edu, call 330-941-3519 or fax 330-941-1704.
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Youngstown State University
Graduates Share Memories of Youngstown State Years Tom Fabek, ’50, BA
A special memory of mine has to do with an instructor, Pauline Botty. Ms. Botty taught statistics for non-engineering students. She challenged us to use more than 10 percent of our brain power. I also have fond memories of Dr. Dykema, who examined why we all speak differently. Mary B. Smith, who worked at the university for decades, became a dear friend. I also remember having classes in the main building (now Jones Hall). I enlisted in the Navy on July 1, 1944, while I was in the 11th grade, before I graduated from South High School. I was a minesweeper in the Pacific. While I was in school, I worked steady nights at the telephone company, then worked for Ohio Bell for 40 years. Most of my career was in Cleveland as the plant supervisor. Because everybody treated us so well at the college, I established three scholarships. I also have donated dozens of books to Maag Library. I feel very fortunate to have five great kids that I raised on my own and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
C e l e b r at i n g
100 Years
Banners, special music, parades, reunions and parties are among the many special events planned to celebrate YSU’s 100th birthday. The Centennial Celebration clock starts ticking – literally – at halftime of the annual homecoming football game on Saturday, Oct. 20, in Stambaugh Stadium. At that time, a large digital clock will officially start the Centennial Celebration and will count down to homecoming on Oct. 28, 2008, the official end of the year-long celebration.
Centennial Celebration Kickoff/ Homecoming, Oct. 20, 2007 • • • • • • •
Homecoming Parade, 2 p.m., Fifth Avenue, Alumni Terrace Dinner, 2:30 p.m., Stambaugh Stadium Special pre- and post-game tailgate parties. YSU vs. Illinois State, 4 p.m., Stambaugh Stadium Original Centennial music composition, halftime. Centennial Celebration clock countdown, halftime. 50th reunion, 11 a.m., Oct. 21, Stambaugh Stadium.
Alumni will receive more information soon about other Homecoming 2007 events. For more information, contact Alumni Relations at 330-941-3497 or www.ysu.edu/alumni.
Dr. F. John Naples, ’33, BA
I have many memories of my time at Youngstown College. After graduating from Rayen High School in 1929, I enrolled at Youngstown College. The Great Depression was a factor – my only expenses would be tuition and lab fees. It also helped that, as a freshman, I won a $50 prize from a national chemistry contest. Tuition was $75 a semester. Classes mainly were held in one of two mansions on Wick Ave., with chemistry laboratories in the basement of the business college. I started advanced chemistry courses in my sophomore year, when I met Dr. Eugene D. Scudder. He decided to convert the kitchen into a lab. In 1933, I accepted a scholarship to the University of Vermont, earned a master of science degree in physical chemistry in one year and a doctorate in organic chemistry by 1936. In 1937, I was appointed head of the Chemistry Department at Springfield Junior College in Illinois. Three years later, President Howard Jones offered me a full-time position as associate chemistry professor. In another three years, the draft board intervened, and I accepted a position as a research chemist at Goodyear in Akron and stayed until 1977, when I reached the mandatory retirement age.
Centennial Banners
To help recognize YSU’s 100-year presence in Youngstown, a 45 feet wide by 80 feet long banner will adorn the front of Stambaugh Stadium on the YSU campus. It is one of three banner projects underway to celebrate the university’s Centennial. Similar, smaller banners, at right, will be hung throughout the campus core and around the campus perimeter. In addition, These 100 Years ‘Art’ Over, a project that includes 50 banners with original artist designs, will debut at the Summer Festival of the Arts in July 2008.
Centennial Music
Several months ago, YSU put out the word for composers to create an original fanfare to commemorate the university’s centennial. Nearly 20 musicians entered the contest, and the composition will debut at halftime of homecoming on Oct. 20.
Summer 2007
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