YSU Pen Pals Program named in honor of community leader Dr. Rashid Abdu

During a special presentation on the campus of Youngstown State University Thursday, Sept. 7, the Sokolov Honors College unveiled the newly-named Dr. Abdu Pen Pals Program.

Named in honor of Dr. Rashid Abdu, a longtime tutor and beloved local surgeon, the Dr. Abdu Pen Pals Program connects honors students with local elementary school learners through the exchange of written journals.

With a strong commitment to education and improving the lives and well-being of area youth, Shell Polymers Monaca, a petrochemical company operating in the region, is the primary financial sponsor of the Dr. Abdu Pen Pals Program.

“It’s an absolute privilege for Shell to sponsor a simple initiative that provides extraordinary, lifelong benefits like this Pen Pal Program,” said Curtis Thomas, director of corporate relations for Shell Polymers Monaca. “Being able to help Dr. Abdu’s dream become a wide-spread reality is an honor. This program will not only create lifelong friends, but also deliver a myriad of educational benefits to all who participate.”

“The visual of a prominent local surgeon volunteering his time to help improve the learning experience of young children at Harding Elementary had a profound impact on the YSU students serving as Pen Pals,” said Amy Cossentino, dean of the Sokolov Honors College and associate provost. “The attention, patience and empathy shown to the children served as the perfect role model from which the Pen Pals program emerged and student leaders strived to emulate.”

“Not only has Dr. Abdu encouraged and inspired a lifetime of giving back to the community, but he has also inspired the same of a younger generation of students.”

Abdu is also known for establishing the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center in memory of his late wife to deliver the most accurate prevention, early detection, diagnosis and support services available in an environment of compassionate and coordinated care.

On behalf of the City of Youngstown, Mayor Jamael Tito Brown issued a proclamation recognizing Dr. Abdu for his many contributions to both the medical field and the newly-named Dr. Abdu Pen Pals Program.

Since 2012, pairs of students have been writing in journals biweekly, which are transported between the schools by honors student volunteers and staff. Students, such as Natalie Dando, junior Chemical Engineering and Mathematics double major, gain opportunities to serve as leaders managing the program.

"Through the Pen Pals Program, hundreds of local elementary students form fun and meaningful connections with YSU students. It provides an engaging, entertaining and educational project that both groups look forward to," said Dando.

Past and present Pen Pals student leaders, including honors alumni, returned to join in the celebration.

Elementary teachers report increased proficiency with spelling, grammar, as well as an excitement for reading and writing. Attendance has also improved. YSU students who share feedback such as "Being able to communicate with young students is both meaningful and fulfilling for me," have also benefited.

YSU faculty members are currently developing content that will be used to enhance the learning and guide the correspondence between the pen pals.

YSU currently partners with Harding Elementary in Youngstown, Girard Intermediate School and Brookfield Elementary School. Last year, the program supported 320 pen pals pairs.

The Pen Pals program has received past support to further its educational mission through the receipt of a Phi Kappa Phi Literacy Grant in 2019. The grant provided funding to purchase copies of the book “Oh the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss for the elementary students. Pen pals used the content in the book as additional inspiration for their weekly writings.