August 6, 2026
George D. Beelen, PhD
Retired Professor and Chair Department of History at YSU
“Glimpses of the Holy Land”
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Biography
George Beelen is a retired professor and former chairman of the history department at Youngstown State University. He earned his doctorate from Kent State University and spent decades teaching, mentoring students, and advocating for community engagement in the Mahoning Valley.
In 1987, George Beelen founded the Ohio Cultural Alliance, a community organization dedicated to celebrating cultural diversity and fostering connections across backgrounds. His work inspired his new book, Genius Knows No Boundaries, which chronicles the Alliance’s 30-year history and highlights stories of empathy, collaboration, and shared humanity. Beelen continues to promote cultural understanding through public events lectures, and programs in partnership with the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, emphasizing that people are far more alike than different.