Ricchiutis honored with Friends of the University Award

Youngstown State University (YSU) honored Dr. Robert Ricchiuti and Phyllis Ricchiuti with the Friends of the University Award during the 25th annual Notable Giving Society Celebration. The award recognizes their transformative leadership and generosity, which have shaped the Paula and Anthony Rich Center for the Study and Treatment of Autism into a nationally respected program. Founded in 1994 in memory of Paula and Anthony Rich and their unborn child, the center began with three students and has since grown into a hub for specialized education, research, and community support for children with autism. The Ricchiutis have contributed over $3.2 million to YSU and the YSU Foundation, funding expansions that strengthened the center’s impact and solidified YSU’s role as a regional leader in autism education. Their vision integrated hands-on learning for YSU students with direct support for children, helping them develop communication, social, and life skills. The center now serves families across the Mahoning Valley and beyond, offering a model for community-university partnerships. YSU President Bill Johnson praised the Ricchiutis for turning personal loss into lasting compassion, noting their legacy will continue changing lives. Paul McFadden, president of the YSU Foundation, called their generosity paired with vision a defining example of philanthropy’s power to transform education and communities. Michael Latessa, executive director of the Rich Center, emphasized their daily impact, crediting them with creating a space where children thrive and students gain professional experience. Dr. Ricchiuti, a Vietnam-era U.S. Army captain and Campbell Memorial High School graduate, returned to the Mahoning Valley in 1974 to build a medical career and lead initiatives like the Rich Center. Their work reflects a commitment to service, blending medical expertise with community-focused philanthropy. The award underscores how their contributions have fostered innovation in autism care while preparing future educators and therapists.