Jocelyne Kollay Linsalata donates $1 million to YSU

Jocelyne Kollay Linsalata of Cleveland, a native of Youngstown and a two-time graduate of Youngstown State University, is donating $1 million to her alma mater. The gift will be used to fund initiatives to enhance student success at YSU and also to continue a scholarship endowment that Linsalata established at the YSU Foundation in 2003. “We thank Jocelyne for this generous gift that will help YSU students achieve in their academic endeavors, graduate on time and advance to success in their careers,” YSU President Jim Tressel said. “Jocelyne’s commitment to and support for YSU is unmatched; we are fortunate to have her as a leader of the Penguin community.” Linsalata said Youngstown was a wonderful place to learn family values, hard work and commitment to others. “I credit my parents, Leo and Francine Kollay, and Youngstown State University for leading me to where I am today,” she said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to support the YSU Foundation and YSU with this gift. The initiatives that YSU President Tressel and YSU Foundation President Paul McFadden have launched will take this university to the next level of excellence in scholarship, professional training for its students and community impact.” Linsalata grew up on Youngstown’s West Side, graduated from Youngstown Chaney High School, and earned a bachelor’s degree in French and Education and a master’s degree in Business Administration, both from YSU. Currently, Linsalata is vice chair of the YSU Foundation, the designated philanthropic arm of the university. With assets exceeding $215 million, the YSU Foundation is the largest institutionally-related foundation in Northeast Ohio and annually provides YSU with $7.8 million for scholarships, student initiatives and university programming. As a YSU Foundation trustee since 2007, Linsalata co-led the organization’s first strategic plan in 2012, during which time her committee revised the organization’s by-laws and developed a governance operating plan. She also was a member of the Foundation’s Finance and Investment committees during a transition from the organization’s practice of self-directed investing to working with a professional investment advisor. Linsalata is a member of the YSU Williamson College of Business Administration Visiting Committee and the YSU President’s Council. In 2014, she received the Outstanding Alumni Service Award from the Williamson College of Business Administration. In the Cleveland area, Linsalata serves as secretary of the Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital Foundation at University Hospital and co-led the philanthropy and advised on the design for a new $40 million Emergency Department for University Hospital in 2012. She also advises for the Inamori Center for Ethics and Excellence at Case Western Reserve University.