YSU receives $1M donation from the Zoldan family

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University received a $1 million donation for student scholarships and to establish a new mentorship program from the Bruce Zoldan family, the founders of Phantom Fireworks.

The donation from the Zoldan family was made in honor of their parents Sam and Sylvia Zoldan and their uncle Abe Yampolsky.

"We thank the Zoldan family for their continued generosity to YSU and their ongoing commitment to the success of our students," YSU President Jim Tressel said.

The donation is part of YSU Foundation's "We See Tomorrow" capital campaign. The $125 million fundraising effort is the largest in YSU's history and has already exceeded $100 million.

The donation establishes the Zoldan-Yampolsky Family Executive Fellows Program in the YSU Williamson College of Business Administration's Center for Non-Profit Leadership.

The program will choose YSU juniors to work with senior leadership on campus or at non-profit organizations to gain practical work experience. The goal of the program is to increase capacity at local and regional non-profit organizations.

"This gift is a significant investment in our students and our community," said Betty Jo Licata, dean of the Williamson College of Business Administration.

The Center for Nonprofit Leadership at YSU offers a certificate and minor designed to complement any major on campus and prepare students for future leadership roles serving the community.

The gift also increases the Sam and Sylvia Zoldan Memorial Scholarship endowment, which was established by the Zoldans in 2006. The renewable annual scholarship is for YSU business students who also take at least one class in Judaic and Holocaust studies.

"YSU has been the shining star of our community, and all of our family members have benefited from the university's presence here," said Bruce J. Zoldan, president and CEO of Phantom Fireworks. "It is our privilege to be able do our small part in supporting this wonderful institution."

Sam Zoldan is credited with being the co-founder of Phantom Fireworks, providing inspiration and guidance during the formative years of the company. Sylvia Zoldan was the matriarch and foundation of the family, a strong influence at Phantom Fireworks from its inception, having visited a showroom just three days before her death.

Abe Yampolsky, affectionately known by all as Uncle Abe, was Sylvia Zoldan's brother. He provided business advice and taught leadership skills to the entire Zoldan family. Genial and kind, with a sharp mind for business, he was a role model for the family.

This story was originally published December 3, 2020 at 12:58 PM with the headline "YSU receives $1M donation from the Zoldan family."