2023 Half Century Club Inductees from the class of '73

Pete ,Penny, and Anthony Swindler at Alumni Terrace Dinner October 7th!

Pete's Pride members at the Campus Beautification Project September 23rd.

Dallas/Ft. Worth Alumni Chapter Watch Party September 9th.

Lisa is a 2019 RN to BSN graduate and currently an RN inpatient care manager with Optum Home and Community under United Healthcare on the post acute care management team. Lisa and her husband relocated to Fort Myers and have enjoyed their time in the Sunshine State since!

Lisa is looking forward to keeping the Northeast Ohio and Youngstown State spirit, customs, and memories alive with fellow Penguins in the area.

Mike graduated from YSU in 1977 with a degree in media communications, one of the first in the Independent Curriculum Program. During his time at YSU he worked at the YSU bookstore and at Kilcawley Student Center, was a member of the Academic Senate, the Kilcawley Center Programming Board, a photographer for The Neon, and a reporter, photographer and editor-in-chief at The Jambar.

He started a reporting job with The Morning Journal in Lisbon, Ohio, the day after graduation and remains a working journalist 46 years later.  In 2011 he became an environmental reporter and then senior breaking news reporter, covering five hurricanes across the state – including Hurricane Matthew, Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Michael. He moved to the post of managing editor at WGCU Public Media in August 2022 shortly before Hurricane Ian hit the Fort Myers area and was part of the team awarded 2022 Radio Station of the Year by the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists. 

He has six children, Jessica in Houston, Mallory in Warren, and Joel, Raquel and Abigail, all in Southwest Florida, and seven grandchildren. A daughter, Cassandra, passed away in 2016. 

Michael is excited to bring together Southwest Floridians who are YSU alumni as they cheer on the Penguins. 

Clarence was born and raised in Youngstown. He’s a 2005 graduate of Chaney High School. Clarence graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in Industrial and Systems Engineering, and 2020 with a Master’s of Science (MS) in the same field. While at YSU, he was a member of the Men’s Track and Field team, the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE), the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and actively involved with the Summer Bridge Program. Upon graduating from YSU, Clarence started his professional career as a Performance Analyst at Vallourec Star in Youngstown. In 2014 while working with Vallourec, he was given an opportunity to relocate to Houston, TX where he would be responsible for managing the continuous improvement program for the North America region. Over the years, Clarence held various key positions within Vallourec, ranging from Operational Excellence Manager, Plant Manager, and eventually North America Sales and Operations Planning Manager.

Clarence's success story is complemented by his loving family. He is happily married to his wife Aulanna, a fellow YSU alumna. Together, they are proud parents of a three-year-old son, Chancellor.

Clarence is excited about giving back to his alma mater by assisting in the start-up of a YSU alumni chapter in Houston and continuing to make a positive impact on the world. 

Matthew was raised in Youngstown, OH and attended Boardman High School - Class of 2005. He graduated from Youngstown State in 2011 with his Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Minor in Chemistry. While at Youngstown State, he worked as a Peer Mentor in The Center for Student Progress helping incoming freshmen navigate their journey to graduation.

Upon graduation, he interned with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Single A Minor League Affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, in their Ticket Sales Department. From there, Matthew  worked with the Phoenix Suns in Phoenix, AZ on their New Business Development Team. After two years in Arizona, he began a career in Medical Devices as a Sales Representative. 

Matthew resides in the Houston, TX area with his girlfriend Tammy & her two daughters Kooper, 16 and Dylan, 13.

Matthew is excited to connect with fellow Penguins and of course cheer on his alma mater! 🐧