The Youngstown State University Department of Intercollegiate
Athletics is pleased to announce the creation of the George E.
Gasser Memorial Scholarship to enhance the YSU Athletics
Scholarship Endowment Fund.
This scholarship was established in 2014 by the Gasser Family to
honor the memory of George E. Gasser. As one of three brothers who
founded Gasser Chair Company in 1946, George Gasser served as its
President from 1976 to 1987 and Chairman of the Board of Directors
and C.E.O. from 1999 until he retired in 2005. From the start of
the family business, Gasser handled the responsibilities of
material sourcing and production, as well as product design, sales
and marketing, the primary activities which fueled the
Company’s growth and success.
The family also has endowed scholarships in honor of the other
two brothers, the Roger E. Gasser Memorial Scholarship and the
Louis J. Gasser Memorial Scholarship.
He believed in the importance of higher education and
established an Educational Assistance Program for employees at
Gasser Chair Company who needed financial assistance to further
their education. In addition to promoting academic
educational opportunities, he was a proud supporter of YSU
athletics and the Penguin Club, readily offering his time and
assistance whenever possible.
This scholarship is to be awarded annually to an eligible
student athlete who needs financial assistance and represents YSU
with dedication, loyalty and pride. The student-athlete must be
enrolled full time in the Williamson College of Business
Administration and in good academic standing.
Junior volleyball player Aly Ryan, a major in Business Marketing
from Novi, Mich., is the first recipient of the scholarship. The
middle blocker current ranks in the top five in YSU history in
blocks per set, is ninth in block assists and 14th in solo
blocks.
Paul McFadden, President of the YSU Foundation, said the
Gasser’s have been long-time pillars of the community and the
support they have given to Youngstown State University is one of
the reasons why. The Gasser family will be honored as the Penguin
of the Year by the Youngstown State Penguin Club in February.
“Mr. Gasser’s legacy is one of hard work, loyalty
and being a dedicated family man,” McFadden said. “The
growth of what started out as a family business has been
phenomenal. The Gasser’s are known worldwide for their
quality products and attention to detail in their work."
For more information, or to endow an athletic scholarship at
Youngstown State University, contact the YSU Foundation at (330)
941-3211 or pmcfadden@ysufoundation.org
