Former Youngstown Schools Teacher Donates $2.3 Million to YSU

YOUNGSTOWN — Upon her death in January 2024, Bessie Veck made a $2.3 million estate gift to Youngstown State University to establish an endowment in her memory to support YSU students.

The grant will be maintained and administered by the YSU Foundation. The Bessie K. Veck Scholarship will provide over $80,000 per year and support many students. Recipients of the Bessie Veck Scholarship may be undergraduate or graduate students who are enrolled part-time or full-time and have a minimum 2.5 GPA. To celebrate Bessie’s long career as a teacher, each year at least one recipient will be a student pursuing a career as a professional educator.

“This generous gift of estate is a testament to Bessie’s enduring commitment to education and the students of Youngstown State University. Her legacy will continue to influence future generations by providing them with the support they need to pursue their dreams. We are extremely grateful for her commitment to our community,” she added. said YSU President Bill Johnson.

Bessie Veck was born October 6, 1927 in Youngstown. In her early years, she attended Taft School and later graduated from Youngstown College in 1950. Bessie graduated from Columbia University in New York with a master’s degree. Her professional career took her to teaching at Bennett Elementary School in Youngstown for 30 years.

Bessie is one of many donors who have given to YSU. Planned giving is the process by which a donor prepares to make a gift to charity upon death as part of his or her estate plans.

These plans can be included in a will, trust, or beneficiary form with the YSU Foundation as the beneficiary.

It instills a legacy beyond their years, allowing for a greater impact on the lives of future generations of YSU students.

The Youngstown State University Foundation is an independent, autonomous, private, not-for-profit corporation that acquires, manages, and distributes resources to support scholarships and student initiatives, and the growth and development of Youngstown State University.