Youngstown University - Neon Yearbook (Youngstown, OH)

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To: The Student Body Youngstown State University Institutions of higher learning are slow to respond to external pressures for change. Not only are they tradition-bound, but their governance process is such that a great deal of study, thought and planning is given by a widely representative segment of the University community before new ideas and new programs are em- braced. The above statement was made in my inaugural address when l had the privilege of assuming the presidency of Youngstown State University. It occurred at a time that found us in the dawn of a new era in the Univer- sity's development which promised to be by far the most challenging and exciting in its history. As I reread the 1971 edition ofthe Neon, published at times when the graduates of 1975 were incoming freshmen and during a time of great social unrest, I was impressed with the manner in which the present stu- dent body coped with the many challenges facing them and how they capitalized on many of the oppor- tunities they have had during the past four years. Since 1971, the stu- dent body has participated in a tran- sition from limited input into their academic and social life to active participation through its own Stu- dent Government and Student Council, as well as, appointments to various University committees. lf you will, take an imaginary tour with me of YSU from Fifth Avenue and continue to its eastern boundary on Wick Avenue. The 1975 graduating seniors and those enter- ing YSU since 1971 have seen a significant change in the physical growth of the University. Gone are Central Hall, the Bookstore, Ford Hall, and many magnificent old homes located on urban renewal property that is not part of YSU. Replacing these structures are the parking deck, the Beeghly Physical Education Center, Kilcawley Center, the Technical and Community College, the Power Plant, the new Library and Bliss Hall. Such a tour is a most interesting mental exercise because without this new construc- Dr. John J. Coffelt University President 26!Administration Q . A. . .3-. '.,. v . lv, 1-.

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tion, the University would still be a struggling institution, operating in obsolete facilities and unable to at- tract and hold good faculty staff. In 1971, the University began to i face the slow down of enrollment growth that began during the sixties. 3- f Registrations continued to decline until this 1974-75 academic year when a modest upturn took place. The class pictures of the graduating seniors in this 1975 Neon will be . significantly different from the 1979 5 edition, in that, we will probably note that the 1979 graduating seniors will consist of students who are not only generally older when they first attended college, but we will find that they were enrolled primarily on a part-time basis. lt has been truly a challenging and exciting experience for the students 'X 'I' l who were a part of the 1971-75 era. .J 4 They should be proud of themselves, for they were dedicated to their beliefs, concerned about the objec- , 4 tives and values of American society, ' ' yet they kept striving for a meaningful education. With best wishes, l remain, Dr. Earl Edgar V.P. Academic Affalrs 3 - , n Sincerely, QW?-Qffrfa 1- John J. Coffelt President Dr. Karl E. Krill V.P. Administrative Affairs ' if ,BE if Joseph Rook V.P. Financial Affairs E' '.-- t T? . A ' ' Q - Administrationl27