Eastern Gateway Community College Announces Donation, New Name for Business School
The Christine and Phillip Dennison School of Business and Leadership will launch in Spring Semester 2023
Youngstown and Steubenville, Ohio –
The Eastern Gateway Community College Board of Trustees today accepted a $250,000 donation from Christine and Phillip Dennison, of Youngstown, Ohio, to establish the Christine and Phillip Dennison School of Business and Leadership. The school will officially launch for Spring Semester 2023 (beginning January, 2023).
“This generous donation from two true community servants in very validating of the work our faculty, staff and students put into ensuring a high-quality business program, both in person and online, is offered at Eastern Gateway,” said Eastern Gateway President Michael Geoghegan. “We also hope to inspire our business students, with tremendous role models like the Dennisons, to achieve great things in their careers and in giving back to their communities.”
“The Board of Trustees was honored to accept this gift from one of our own – Board Member Christine Dennison – who is truly ‘walking the walk’ to help build a stronger Eastern Gateway,” said Eastern Gateway Board of Trustees Chair Jim Gaisor. “The Christine and Phillip Dennison School of Business and Leadership will be something we can all be proud of.”
Christine Dennison retired from teaching full time 8 years in the Marketing Department at Youngstown State University (YSU)’s Williamson College of Business Administration. She was also a Planned Giving Consultant to both United Way and the Community Foundation of Mahoning Valley and volunteered on the United Way Fund Allocation Committee. She was a board member and chaired a capital campaign for the Youngstown Hearing & Speech Center. Prior to that, she worked 15 years at IBM in Youngstown and Detroit in Administration and Marketing Divisions. She also was a secondary high school teacher for 6 years. She was a member of Leadership Youngstown and an Athena Nominee. She earned her Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude at YSU where she also earned an MBA. She earned her M.S. in Education at Edinboro University, PA. She was appointed as an Eastern Gateway Trustee in 2015 and continues to serve and chairs the Student Success committee of the Board.
Phillip Dennison, CPA, is a principal emeritus with Packer Thomas, a regional accounting firm. He is chairman of the Board of the Western Reserve Health Foundation. Additionally, he serves as a board member and treasurer of Youngstown Cityscapes, received their Grass Roots Award. He is chair of a Committee of Grow Mahoning Valley, East Gate Regional Council of Governments. He was a past chair of the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce. He chaired a successful, $3 million United Way of Mahoning County Annual Campaign. He also was a member of Leadership Youngstown. He earned his Bachelor’s in Business Administration from YSU.
“Community colleges are the backbone of our communities, and business and leadership are the heart,” said Christine Dennison. “Giving back to the college that continues to work tirelessly to enhance our communities is an incredible opportunity for us. It is an honor to be a part of Eastern Gateway’s story and the next generation of business leaders and professionals.”
“The business and leadership programs at Eastern Gateway Community College succeed because of the college’s students, faculty, and leadership. We are extremely thankful to be a part of helping students achieve their goals and career aspirations,” said Phillip Dennison.
The change will go into effect during the next Spring Semester, beginning in January 2023. At that time, the name of the school will appear on formal college documents, such as reports and student records.
“Business students and faculty will benefit greatly from the generous support of the Dennison’s donation,” said Dr. John Crooks, senior vice president and chief academic officer at Eastern Gateway. “The Dennison School of Business and Leadership will advance the college’s vision of ‘Creating Opportunities and Changing Lives.’ It is fitting to name this school after solid supporters of our students and local business professionals and owners.”
Media Note: Media interviews with President Geoghegan, Dr. Crooks and or Chair Gaisor will be available by request. Mr. and Mrs. Dennison will be available for media interviews at the May Board of Trustees meeting. Please email Amanda Wurst at awurst@egcc.edu or by text at 614-832-7512 to schedule an interview.