University under Jones (1931-1944)

Abstract

Youngstown State University traces its origins to 1908, when the first college-level course (in commercial law) was offered by the Youngstown branch of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). For the next 38 years, the YMCA would play a major role in the development of the institution. During the early years of YSU, the YMCA leased existing buildings along Wick Avenue for classroom space- the Bonnell Mansion was one of these. The structure was located adjacent to the northern side of the Main Branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County before it was later demolished.

President Howard Jones and YMCA Trustee James Wick were the driving personalities that led to Youngstown College becoming an independent institution. Both men shared a dream of establishing a true college in the Mahoning Valley. The need for accreditation (which would give students the ability to transfer college credit from Youngstown College to another institution) would become the deciding factor in the school's status. In Ohio, this only could be granted by the North Central Association of College and Universities. However, the NCA refused to accredit any institution whose management structure was linked to an outside agency (in this case, the YMCA).

Gradually, the College loosened its ties to its parent organization. In 1944, Youngstown College was incorporated in the State of Ohio as a fully independent and accredited institution of higher learning.