Correspondent photo / Sean Barron Youngstown State University President Bill Johnson presents the Heritage Award to Ronald Shaklee, emeritus professor of geography.

YOUNGSTOWN — Ask Ronald Shaklee what it feels like to receive a prestigious award, and he will be quick to defer the credit beyond himself.

“You work for excellence,” Shaklee, Youngstown State University emeritus professor of geography, said.

Shaklee, who joined the university in 1987 and served in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1973, was one of two retired YSU faculty members who were the recipients of the prestigious Heritage Award during the board of trustees’ regular quarterly meeting Thursday morning in Tod Hall.

Also receiving the award was Betty Jo Licata, dean emerita of the Williamson College of Business Administration.

After having earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in geography from the University of Kansas, Shaklee spent 15 years as YSU’s director of scholars and honors programs, which included mentoring the university’s first Rhodes Scholar and being part of its first Truman Scholar application. He also chaired YSU’s geography department and conducted research that focused primarily on the Bahamas, along with study-abroad efforts to San Salvador Island.

Shaklee said Thursday he has taken thousands of students, hundreds of faculty members and others in the community to the Bahamas, in part to break down racial barriers, support conservation education, to offer adventure tourism and other transformative experiences for them.

Shaklee expressed particular pride in assisting struggling students. He cited the example of one whose GPA was under 2.0, yet that student was able to later land a job with the federal government.

“Things have changed dramatically at YSU, and the Williamson College of Business Administration has been part of that,” said Licata, who served as dean of the WCBA from 1995 to 2021 and interim dean from 2024 to 2025.

During her 26-year tenure, Licata was instrumental in overseeing the 110,000-square-foot Williamson Hall’s planning and construction. In addition, she led its accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International organization.

Much of her career as dean also centered around strengthening partnerships to enhance services to students and the area’s business community, as well as expanding entrepreneurship, nonprofit leadership, career development, international business programs and experiential learning opportunities.

Licata also was quick to extend her praise to past Heritage Award winners, saying they all “were instrumental in building YSU” into an institution of higher learning for students to thrive and be successful.

In the face of challenges that higher education faces, it’s imperative that the university continues to find new and innovative ways to engage students and be on the leading edge to their success, Licata continued.

The Heritage Award was established in 1981 to honor retired university community members “whose contributions have significantly advanced YSU and enriched its legacy. The award recognizes individuals whose influences continue to be felt long after their years of service have concluded,” a YSU press release Thursday states.

ENROLLMENT OPTIMISM

Also at the session, YSU President Bill Johnson presented in his report an overview of the university’s enrollment trend, saying he’s “cautiously optimistic” that it will continue to increase this fall semester.

He also discussed progress regarding YSU’s Steubenville campus, including $3.5 million to the university’s capital budget, much of which will go toward addressing that campus’s maintenance and modifications.

In addition, the Steubenville site has launched four Penguin Enrollment Express gatherings intended to offer one-stop enrollment support, along with assistance with admissions, financial aid, course registration, placement testing, academic advising and the application process.

The events are set for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, as well as July 21 and 23, Rebecca Rose, YSU spokesperson, said.