The Youngstown State University Department of Intercollegiate
Athletics and YSU Foundation are proud to recognize the James and
Barbara Geller Scholarship as part of the continued enhancement of
the University Scholarship Endowment Fund.
The James and Barbara Geller Scholarship was established last
January by long-time fans Jim and Barbara Geller. This scholarship
is awarded annually to a member of the football or men’s and
women’s basketball teams. The student-athlete must be in good
standing with preference given to a student-athlete interested in
science, technology, engineering, mathematics or business.
The 2013-14 recipient is Michael Podolsky, a senior on the
men’s basketball team. Podolsky, a native of Canfield, Ohio,
owns a 4.00 GPA as a major in Finance. He has played in 17 games
this season and 61 throughout his career. He is a three-time
letterwinner as part of the program.
Jim Geller is a 1971 YSU graduate. He and Barbara have been
lifetime boosters and advocates of YSU. They are proud to create
this scholarship to assist a student-athlete in achieving an
education for their future success. After graduating from YSU, Jim
founded Geller Electric, Inc., a highly-successful electrical
contracting firm in the Valley. It was Geller’s study of
these academic disciplines at YSU that he credits his success as an
entrepreneur.
“It was a great pleasure to create a scholarship
through the YSU Foundation to benefit student-athletes in their
journey to complete their degree from Youngstown State
University,” the Geller’s said. “Our YSU
experience in athletics, mathematics, and business was instrumental
in the successful operation of Geller Electric, Inc. As a
result, we are grateful to be able to “pay it forward”
by supporting future student athletes. We are aware of the
cooperation between the Foundation and the YSU Athletic Department
which strives to produce not only exceptional student athletes, but
great YSU Alumni. As donors, we are extremely proud of the positive
reports from the Athletic Department and the media regarding our
student-athletes and Youngstown State University.”
Other projects the Geller’s have assisted the University
with include the Veteran’s Resource Center, WATTS, Williamson
College of Business Administration and have been long-time donors
to the annual fund.
Paul McFadden, President of the YSU Foundation, said the
Geller’s contribution is extremely special because Jim and
his wife are taking the time to thank YSU for the impact they have
made on their lives
"The Geller family is highly respected in the Mahoning Valley
and throughout campus,” said McFadden. “They continue
to make sure that Youngstown State University have opportunities to
be successful. Mike Podolsky is a tremendous representative for
this scholarship and moving forward it will be an honor for a
future student-athlete to receive the James and Barbara Geller
Scholarship.”
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
