The Youngstown State University Department of Intercollegiate
Athletics is pleased to announce the creation of the Guenther A.
Hladiuk & Mary Ann Kessler Scholarship to enhance the YSU
Athletics Scholarship Endowment Fund.
Hladiuk and Kessler have established a scholarship for a
deserving YSU student-athlete enrolled in the College of Creative
Arts and Communications. Both are grateful to their families,
friends and the community for their successful careers. From 2011
through 2013, Hladiuk proudly served as President of the Penguin
Club Board of Trustees. He still dedicates a fair share of his time
to help the Penguin Club raise funds and assist in event
organization.
Both Kessler and Hladiuk have been long-time contributors and
fans of all YSU athletic teams. They attend all home YSU football
games and arrive early to tailgate with friends they have had for
years. They are avid Penguins basketball fans as well and have had
season tickets for many seasons.
It is their wish that the recipient of this scholarship be
committed to their education, the University and the community that
has given them the support and guidance to achieve their
success.
A quote by American author and poet Maya Angelou that reads
“I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through
life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. You need to be able
to throw something back.” is the basis for why the
endowment was created, Kessler and Hladiuk said.
This scholarship is to be awarded annually to an eligible
student athlete who is enrolled in the College of Creative Arts and
Communication and maintains a minimum 2.75 GPA.
Sophomore YSU football student-athlete Nate Dortch, a major in
communication studies from Fort Myers, Fla., is the first recipient
of the scholarship. Dortch, a cornerback, was recently named to the
Missouri Valley Football Conference’s All-Newcomer team. He
started nine games a cornerback for the Penguins in 2014 and
registered 18 tackles and had eight pass breakups for the
season.
Paul McFadden, President of the YSU Foundation, said the
enthusiasm that Hladiuk and Kessler show for all YSU programs is
appreciated.
“Mary Ann and Guenther are tried and true YSU fans,”
McFadden said. “They were very honored to begin a scholarship
endowment at Youngstown State. They are very passionate and vibrant
people and have made a great impact on many people’s lives.
This scholarship will help a YSU student-athlete learn how
dedicated, not only Mary Ann and Guenther, but our loyal fans
are.”
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
