The Youngstown State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is pleased to announce the creation of the Dr. Dan and Patty Suchora Scholarship to enhance the YSU Athletics Scholarship Endowment Fund.
The scholarship was established this fall by Dr. Dan and Patty Suchora. Dr. Suchora retired as professor and chair of the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department in 2012 after 37 years of service. He has continued to assist the engineering department as a limited-service faculty member and Professor Emeritus. He received the Distinguished Professor Award at YSU on three separate occasions and was the recipient of the Watson Merit Award for Outstanding Department Chairpersons.
Dan’s relationship with YSU began as a freshman engineering student in 1963 while Patty enrolled at YSU that same year. Dan graduated from YSU with both his bachelor’s (1968) and master’s degrees (1970) in Mechanical Engineering. Patty graduated from the YSU School of Business with a degree in Accounting. Their three children, Kevin, Sherri and Matthew, have all graduated from YSU as well.
Dan and Patty have also been long-time fans of YSU athletics. They have been in attendance at numerous home sporting events through the years and have travelled to see the football team at various road games. He serves as an active member of the YSU Penguin Club’s Board of Trustees.
The Suchora’s said they are very appreciative for what Youngstown State University has done for their family and endowing a scholarship to a student-athlete is something they are proud of.
"This scholarship allows the Suchora family to show our appreciation for what YSU has done for our family and pay it forward."
The endowment is awarded to a student-athlete who is a majoring in STEM or Business and they must maintain a 2.75 cumulative grade-point average.
The first recipient of the endowment is senior swimmer Hannah Reynolds. Reynolds, a native of Greensburg, Pa., is an engineering major at YSU. She has two top-10 career finishes at the Horizon League Championships and is the school-record holder in the 100-yard breaststroke.
Paul McFadden, President of the YSU Foundation, said the Suchora family have been pillars of the YSU academics community and he is thankful for their support of athletics and all programs.
“Dan and Patty are two of the most genuine people you will find and their support of YSU has been special,” McFadden said. “They have always looked out for the best interests of YSU students and this is another way for them to provide opportunities for success in the classroom.”
For more information, or to endow an athletic scholarship at Youngstown State University, contact the Dan Kopp at the YSU Foundation at (330) 941-3211 or dkopp@ysufoundation.org
