Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — Longtime supporters of Youngstown State University and the Mahoning Valley, Laura and Paul Lyden, along with Lyden Oil Company, have made a $250,000 contribution to the Kilcawley: Centered on the Future Campaign.

This gift continues a long history of philanthropic support from Lyden Oil company and the Lyden family. One of the family’s more prominent gifts was to name the Lyden House dormitory on the north side of campus that opened in 1990. The Lyden Family / Lyden Oil Company is recognized in the university’s Stone Bridge Giving Society, which honors those who have contributed between $1 million and $1,999,999.

The Lydens’ latest gift will be recognized through the Monumental Stairs in the renovated Kilcawley Center.

“Once again, I find myself inspired by the incredible generosity of supporters like the Lyden family,” said YSU President Bill Johnson. “Their gift is a testament to the immense respect and admiration that the Lydens have for this university, and it solidifies their place as true champions of Youngstown State. This contribution will ensure that the Kilcawley Center remains a centerpiece for innovation and collaboration, and that generations of students will benefit from the vision we continue to bring to life here at YSU.”

Scott Schulick, Chair of the Kilcawley: Centered on the Future Campaign, also praised the Lydens’ generosity. “The Lydens’ support is a game-changer for this campaign,” said Schulick. “Their commitment to YSU and the Mahoning Valley is a shining example of how one family can make a lasting difference. This gift will have a lasting impact on the students and future of this university, and we are incredibly grateful for their leadership and support.”

“Family, friends, and community are at the core of everything we do, and supporting Youngstown State University is one of the most important ways we can give back to the community that has given us so much,” said Laura Lyden, sales and operations manager and corporate secretary of Lyden Oil. “We are proud to continue our family’s legacy of support for YSU and to be a part of this exciting campaign that will benefit so many students.”