Despite the rocky start in the public view, Youngstown State University President Bill Johnson and his wife LeeAnn have announced a donation of $100,000 to a new student center that was announced last year.

The announcement was made during a meeting with the university's Student Experience leadership team on Wednesday Jan. 31. 

"Our students are some of the most impressive and resilient people in the Youngstown community. They deserve the very best experience while they work toward their futures here," Johnson said. "Through this pledge, my wife LeeAnn and I are committed to ensuring that this is exactly what they will receive."

According to a news release from YSU, the center is expected to undergo two and a half years of construction before completion. 

Once finished, it will be completely reconstructed with updated dining services, event space and lounge areas for studying and relaxation.

The $40 million student center was first announced in early 2023 along with a $5 million donation from valley businessman Bruce Zoldan. 

The center was to be named after Zoldan, but he has since announced he is holding his donation in protest of the board's secretive selection process that led to Johnson's presidency.

Zoldan tells 21 News that he has since notified YSU that he is suspending all contributions to the university until 60 days after Johnson is no longer president and the university uses a "traditional, transparent" search process for a new president.

Zoldan went on to tell 21 News that former University President Jim Tressel had spoken to him about a year ago to inquire about a donation to the student center.

During this conversation, Zoldan says Tressel had promised him that a traditional and transparent search process would be used to find and hire his successor. However, Zoldan says "nothing close to that happened."