Both Joseph Mosca and the late Syretha Cooper were recognized as the recipients of the University's 2023 Heritage Awards during a special presentation with both awardees' names being etched on the campus's heritage wall.

 

The Heritage Award was established in 1981 in order to recognize former faculty and staff who had made major contributions to the university during their years of service.

 

Cooper worked in the department of social work from 1969 until 1996 as an assistant professor, professor and chair. She was the first African American chair of the department.

 

Her awards and honors include Who's Who Among Black Americans, the McGuffey Center Hall of Fame Award in Education, Outstanding Teacher of the Year, YSU Black United Students and the Ohio Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers Region 4 Teacher of the Year.

 

A scholarship was founded in her memory and continues her legacy in helping students.

 

Mosca served at the university from 1989 until 2019 as an assistant professor, associate professor, assistant to the dean, chair, associate dean, dean of the Bitonte College of Health and Human Services and interim provost and vice president of Academic Affairs.

 

His awards include the Edna K. McDonald Cultural Awareness Award, the Watson Merit Award and the Distinguished Professorship and Distinguished Service Award.

 

Mosca is a licensed independent social worker serving as a board member for Meridian Services, Mahoning County Mental Health, Fish Samaritan House and the Ohio Children's Trust Fund.