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Attorney Daniel L. Rossi establishes a scholarship at YSU
On Oct. 21, 2021, retired Mahoning County attorney Daniel L. Rossi established the Attorney Daniel L. Rossi Scholarship at Youngstown State University with a $300,000 gift. In recognition of his gift, the Ohio Room at Kilcawley Center has been renamed the Attorney Daniel L. Rossi Room. Rossi is pictured here in the room (front center) with his four living children, Gregg A. Rossi, Nina Melfi, Lisa Fitzpatrick and Elena Rossi Somers. (Photo courtesy of Lisa Fitzpatrick).
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: January 27, 2022
As a young man, now retired Mahoning County attorney Daniel L. Rossi received his pre-law education at Youngstown College, using a portion of his GI Bill to help cover the cost of those courses and his law degree from Ohio Northern University.
Rossi would go on to make a name for himself as the “dean of trial lawyers” and play a key role in helping to transform the college into a state university, making it more affordable for those living in the community where it is based.
On Oct. 21, 2021, Rossi expanded that mission, establishing the Attorney Daniel L. Rossi Scholarship at Youngstown State University with a $300,000 gift.
“I was very lucky because I had a way to pay for my education and it allowed me to be very successful,” said Rossi, 94. “In my family, we have 13 children and grandchildren who received a higher education and six who received advanced degrees in law, medicine and education. Not one of them had to take a college loan and worry about paying back debt.
“But I realize that is not the case for many young people today, so I wanted to use my excess funds, after taking care of my own family to help them along,” said Rossi.
Youngstown State University Foundation President Paul McFadden said Rossi’s gift will provide access to college for generations of needy students.
“Four percent of the funds will be awarded to students each year,” said McFadden. “Because it is an endowed scholarship it will continue to grow, providing assistance to many of modest means who would not otherwise be able to attend college.”
To qualify for scholarship funds, a student must attend full time and have a minimum GPA (grade point average) of 2.5.
“Students at all levels of their college education can apply and it is renewable,” said McFadden. “We are extremely grateful to Mr. Rossi that he did not limit the funding to students planning to pursue careers in the legal profession. By leaving it open to everyone, we will be able to help more people.”
In recognition of Rossi’s gift, the Ohio Room at Kilcawley Center was renamed the Attorney Daniel L. Rossi Room during a ceremony on Oct 21.
Rossi’s family, including children, spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren attended the dedication luncheon at the Kilcawley Center along with the center’s staff, YSU President Jim Tressel and McFadden.
The Attorney Daniel L. Rossi Room features a collage of pictures depicting various milestones in Rossi’s life and a plaque listing the ways in which he contributed to YSU becoming a state university.
Rossi’s daughter Lisa Fitzpatrick said she’s very proud of her father and what he has accomplished throughout his life.
“My father has always known the value of an education,” said Fitzpatrick. “All of his children and his grandchildren have gone to college, and in some cases graduate, medical or law school.
“This gift will be part of my father’s legacy since it will benefit students in perpetuity,” said Fitzpatrick, a financial professional at Prudential Advisors.
Born in Youngstown on June 16, 1927 to August and Augusta (nee Mastrantonio) Rossi, who both emigrated to the U.S. from Italy, he grew up on the east side of the city. Rossi’s father served in World War I as part of the American Expeditionary Force that fought against the German Army in the Argonne Forest in France.
After graduating from East High School, Rossi enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17, serving in the Philippines for 16 months. Upon his discharge, he received $20 a week for 52 weeks from the 52/20 Club, helping him to cover day-to-day expenses and acclimate to civilian life and enroll at Youngstown College.
Upon earning his law degree in 1952, he returned to the Youngstown area and started his own practice. It was while practicing that he met his wife, Mary Rossvanes. They would go on to have five children, including his future law partner, his son Gregg A. Rossi, who joined the firm in 1990.
The two worked together for many years, representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases and handling domestic relations matters. Rossi retired in 2011.
Today his son Gregg runs the firm, now known as Rossi & Rossi Co. He is mentoring his nephew, James Melfi, who he hired as an associate in 2019.
“Our father is truly a benevolent and generous man,” said Gregg. “He has helped others his entire life having been helped at an early age by others who influenced his success. He values education and is especially partial to Youngstown State University given his Youngstown roots, his attendance at its predecessor Youngstown College, and given his efforts to establish Youngstown State as a state university. This donation and scholarship fund continue his legacy of charity and help others less fortunate.”
A former recipient of The Mahoning County Bar Association Professionalism Award, Rossi has made numerous contributions to the community, including serving as Mahoning County Administrator and on the boards of numerous nonprofit organizations.
In the 1960s, Rossi was named secretary/treasurer of Mahoning County Community College, authorized by the Mahoning County Commissioners to make a higher education more affordable to residents.
Later Rossi joined the late Ohio Gov. James Rhodes in his campaign to transform Youngstown University from a private school to a state university system, enabling it to receive millions of dollars in state funds.
In 2000, Rossi also made a substantial financial contribution to Fellows Riverside Gardens, which is located in Mill Creek Park. The Daniel L. Rossi Auditorium on the lower level of the D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center has been named in his honor.
“Life is tough for a lot of people,” said Rossi. “I believe it is the responsibility of those who have been fortunate to do what they can to alleviate the pain and suffering of others who have not been as lucky.”