Couple donates $100K to Kilcawley Center campaign
Alexa Sweeney Blackann, Interim CEO of Lake to River and former President of Sweeney Chevrolet and Sweeney Buick GMC in Youngstown, along with her husband Josh Backann, have donated $100,000 to the Kilcawley: Centered on the Future campaign.
The West Spring Street Entrance to the Kilcawley Center will be named the Sweeney Blackann Family Entrance.
Scott Schulick, chair of the Kilcawley campaign says, "Alexa and Josh's generous gift and commitment to YSU are invaluable."
He continues, "Alexa's leadership as a member of the Kilcawley Center Campaign Cabinet and her family's dedication to both the YSU community and the Mahoning Valley will leave a lasting impact, and the naming of the Sweeney Blackann Family Entrance will serve as a lasting tribute to their contributions."
Sweeney Blackann is a current YSU Foundation Board Member and has a deep connection to YSU through her family's legacy. Both her grandfather and father had served as YSU Foundation Board Trustees.
YSU President Bill Johnson says, "Josh and Alexa Sweeney Blackann's generous donation to the Kilcawley: Centered on the Future campaign underscores their clear understanding of the importance of addressing student needs at Youngstown State University."
He continues, "This contribution will help sustain Kilcawley Center as a hub of innovation and collaboration, ensuring it remains a vibrant space for future generations of students to learn, grow and connect. The naming of the Sweeney Blackann Family Entrance is a well-deserved recognition of their dedication to and her lasting impact on the YSU community."
Additionally, Sweeney Blackann serves on multiple boards including the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland advisory council, Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber, Board of Trustees for The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County, Akron Children's Hospital Foundation Board of Directors plus more.
The Sweeney family has contributed over $1 million to YSU, establishing the Patricia McGovern Sweeney Professorship in Nursing.
The couple both graduated from YSU with Blackann holding a BSBA in Marketing Management and is a graduate of the NADA Dealer Academy. Josh holds both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Electrical Engineering.
To learn more about the campaign, you can click here to read one of our stories on the project.
