BGSU trustees recognize University's continued success at September meeting

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Bowling Green State University is experiencing near-record enrollment and historic retention rates while garnering accolades for its support of student success and outcomes, the University's Board of Trustees learned at its first meeting of the 2023-24 academic year.

At the Sept. 22 meeting, the board also supported the naming of a collaboration space in Kokosing Hall, approved design services for campus buildings and infrastructure and welcomed new trustees.

BGSU recognized again in national rankings

Welcoming one of its largest freshman classes in recent years while setting record student retention numbers, trustees recognized the University's continued national praise in Wall Street Journal and U.S. News and World Report rankings.

“As a public university for the public good, increased enrollment has a positive impact on our region and state, with more students choosing to come here for their education and enter our growing academic programs and fields that are in great demand across Ohio,” BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers said. “We are steadfast in our commitment to supporting and empowering our students to take advantage of all BGSU has to offer as a comprehensive, 21st-century university in one of America’s top-ranked college towns."

For the fourth year in a row, BGSU holds the top spot in the Midwest for students who say they made the right choice in their college decision, according to The Wall Street Journal's 2024 "Best Colleges in the United States" rankings. New this year, the University also climbed to the top spot for the same ranking among public universities in the West, Mid-Atlantic and New England regions.

Additionally, BGSU ranks No. 1 in the state of Ohio among all universities - public or private - for student experience, a new category in The Wall Street Journal's rankings that lists the best colleges in the U.S. to have a great experience while attending.

In U.S. News and World Report's 2024 “Best Colleges” rankings, BGSU was recognized once again as one of the nation’s top public universities. Several of the University's undergraduate programs were also recognized as among the very best in the state and nation.

BGSU was also once again named one of the nation’s top performers for social mobility, ranking No. 6 among Ohio public universities and No. 342 nationally. The ranking focuses on a college's ability to advance social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of economically disadvantaged students who received Pell Grants.

The rankings are reflected in real-time with BGSU welcoming one of its largest and the highest-achieving freshman classes in history with new, first-time student enrollment up 7% at nearly 3,500 students as well as a record-high retention rate of 80% for first-year returning students.

Kokosing Hall collaboration space named

In recognition of the generous support of BGSU alumnus Craig Anderson '79, the board approved the naming of the Craig L. Anderson Collaboration Space in Kokosing Hall, the collaborative, state-of-the-art home of the School of the Built Environment.

A current member of the BGSU Foundation Board, Anderson earned a bachelor’s degree in applied engineering and technology from the University in 1979 and pursued a successful career in the oil and gas industry.

Anderson currently serves as principal and CEO of Anderson Subterranean Oil & Gas LLC and is a franchise business owner at The Entrepreneur’s Source, which helps clients take ownership of their careers. He previously was general manager and director of operations at The Americas, Global Oil & Gas Group for the Gates Corporation in Houston and worked also for 24 years at Parker Hannifin, a global leader in motion and control technologies.

As an alumnus, he established the Craig L. Anderson Endowed Scholarship for Athletics and the Craig L. Anderson Endowed Scholarship for the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering. Additionally, he was a member of the BGSU Alumni Board from 1992-98 and served on the Alumni Board Executive Committee from 1994-98.

Through his philanthropic giving, Anderson is a recognized member of The Presidents Club, Leadership Circle and 1910 Society. In 2017, he received the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering Alumni Award.

Design services approved for campus building, infrastructure improvements

Trustees authorized design services for University infrastructure and buildings, including the William T. Jerome Library, an iconic landmark on the BGSU campus and in the community.

Completed in 1965, the Jerome Library is ranked as one of the best college libraries in the nation and houses more than 7 million books while serving as a resource of countless amounts of electronic information. The library also holds the renowned Browne Popular Culture Library and the Music Library and Bill Schurk Sound Archives and is a popular study space for students.

Nearly 60 years later, the Jerome Library still maintains its original masonry and exterior works and BGSU seeks to restore the building's tower facade, improve overall waterproofing and sealing, replace windows, add new skylights and more to ensure the library remains useful and accessible for generations to come.

Upon additional approval, work on the Jerome Library is estimated to begin in summer 2024 with completion set for summer 2025.

President Rogers' contract extended, gifts performance bonus to support student success

Additionally, the Board of Trustees extended BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers' contract through June 2028. 

Under President Rogers' leadership, BGSU has strengthened its academic offerings in key areas that meet employment needs of today and tomorrow, consistently grown enrollment, attained a record-level of student retention, secured funds to sustain the University’s future and elevated people-centric practices by establishing strategic leadership positions to focus on student engagement and success and community well-being.

For the fifth consecutive year, President Rogers and his wife, Dr. Sandy Earle, have chosen to commit the full amount of his annual performance bonus to the BGSU Foundation, Inc. This year’s contribution - $77,063 - will support student scholarships, the BGSU Bands and the University’s strategic and innovation initiatives. In addition, President Rogers will receive the same base compensation percentage increase as all BGSU administrative staff, an increase of 2.5%.

"It is an honor to serve as president of my alma mater, a university focused on its mission to create public good, and I am deeply grateful to Chair Forhan and the Board of Trustees for their leadership and support,” President Rogers said. “BGSU belongs to each of us, and it is our talented faculty and staff who are moving our University forward through their unwavering commitment to our students. Together, we will continue to demonstrate the value and relevancy of Bowling Green State University.”

New trustees welcomed at BGSU

Following appointments by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, the board welcomed two new trustees under the guidance of Chair Drew Forhan '81.

Phillip Greenberg '02 of Hilliard, Ohio, joined the BGSU Board of Trustees on June 30. Greenberg fills the seat vacated by former trustee Marilyn Eisele ’79, who ended her term on the board serving as chair.

Trustee Greenberg currently serves as chief of staff for JobsOhio, a private economic development corporation that acts as a catalyst for high-growth business investments and job creation in the state. His term as trustee ends in 2032.

Trustees also welcomed BGSU sophomore Cole Nemeth as undergraduate student trustee who fills the seat vacated by Joshua Auten '23.

A Bowling Green, Ohio, native, Nemeth studies nursing in the BGSU College of Health and Human Services and serves as a student leader in the Chapman Learning Community. His term as undergraduate student trustee ends in 2025.