Bessie Veck, formerly of 6085 Tippecanoe Rd., upon her passing in January 2024, left YSU an estate gift of $2.3 million to establish a scholarship in her memory to support the students of Youngstown State University. The endowment will be held and managed by the YSU Foundation.
      The Bessie K. Veck Scholarship will provide over $80,000 annually and support numerous students. Recipients of the Bessie Veck Scholarship can be an undergraduate or graduate student who is enrolled part-time or full-time with a minimum 2.5 GPA. In honor of Bessie’s long-standing career as a teacher, at least one recipient annually will be a student pursuing a career as a professional educator.
      “This generous estate gift is a testament to Bessie’s enduring commitment to education and the students at Youngstown State University. Her legacy will continue to impact future generations, ensuring that they have the support they need to pursue their dreams. We are extremely grateful for her dedication to our community,” said Bill Johnson, YSU President.
      Veck was born October 6, 1927, in Youngstown, Oh. In her early years, she attended Taft School and later graduated from Youngstown College in 1950. Bessie finished her education at Columbia University in New York City with a master’s degree. Her professional career led her to teach for 30 years at Bennett Elementary School in Youngstown.