YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - A $500,000 gift from the James and Coralie Centofanti Charitable Foundation will allow Youngstown State University students and the public to hear an array of speakers at no charge.
YSU, the YSU Foundation and the Centofanti Charitable Foundation announced the gift Tuesday at a news conference. The money will continue the foundation's support of the Centofanti Symposium at the university.
YSU President Bill Johnson thanked the Centofanti Foundation trustees. He said YSU's job is to produce the next generation of leaders. That involves teaching them to think clearly and critically, to act responsibly and to lead, Johnson said.
"One of the best ways to do that, of course, is to expose them to a wide range of speakers and experts, whether it's from academia or business or wherever they come from, both national and international, so that they see all sides of the culture in which we live," the YSU president said. "That better prepares them to address the challenges of their day."
The $500,000 gift will go toward bringing those kinds of speakers to YSU for the next 10 years, he added.
Mark Graham, Centofanti Foundation chairman, said the gift is more than a financial commitment.
"This gift reflects a shared belief in the power of ideas, education and community engagement," he said. "The Centofanti Symposium works to bring diverse voices, new perspectives and meaningful conversation to our community, and it's at no cost to the public."
Joe Centofanti is the brother of the late James Centofanti. He said his father emigrated to the United States from Italy, worked in the steel mills and then brought his family. He taught the family the value of hard work, and James followed that example. He made wise investments that allowed the establishment of the foundation.
Joe Centofanti said both his father and brother would be proud.
Joseph Mosca, retired dean of YSU's Bitonte College of Health and Human Services, is a member of the Centofanti Foundation distribution committee. He said the foundation has done a lot to help people in need through various nonprofit organizations in the region.
"I want to thank the committee and thank the foundation, because this gift will, without question, sustain the symposium for several years to come," he said.
Jackie LeViseur, YSU director of university events, said the community is fortunate to have the symposium.
"And I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say it affects campus, community and the nation," she said. "We bring in these distinguished scholars and speakers, and people can see them free of charge, no charge to the public to come see them."
If one person leaves one of the lectures and starts a conversation, it was a success, LeViseur said. Topics cover important topics such as social justice and meeting the needs of underserved populations, she said.
The Centofanti Charitable Foundation has contributed more than $3.2 million to the university and the YSU Foundation. That includes $1 million each to create the James and Coralie Centofanti Center for Health and Welfare and to establish a support endowment and name the James and Coralie School of Nursing at YSU; $500,000 to establish the symposium; $200,000 in support of the Carl Nunziato Veterans Center; and $100,000 to the Paula and Anthony Rich Center for Autism.
James Centofanti of Canfield was a business owner, horseman and philanthropist. He died in 2010. His wife, Coralie, died in 1999. James Centofanti was a longtime member of the Farmers National Bank Board of Directors. He supported many education and community-based activities in the community.