When the board of trustees at Youngstown State University selected an anti-abortion, election-denying, Trump-endorsing Republican congressman late last month as the school’s next president, faculty, students, and alumni immediately opposed the “secretive” move.
The board had unexpectedly called an emergency meeting to nominate Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) as a replacement for Jim Tressel, who is retiring in February. Johnson—who has spoken out against college students purportedly being “indoctrinated” by left-leaning professors, is opposed to gay marriage, and said he believes “Big Tech” and “the Democrat party” stole the presidency for Joe Biden—was selected over two other candidates whose identities remain under wraps.
Those with skin in the game were upset that YSU extended Johnson the three-year contract—which comes with a $410,000 salary, free housing, a car, and a potential six-figure bonus—without any input from members of the greater Youngstown State community. One major donor described the move as an “insult” not only to the institution but to the entire Mahoning Valley. And, many asked, what was the rush, when interim president Helen Lafferty’s term didn’t expire until July 2024?
