William F. and Peggy L. Schmeltz Atrium in New Maurer Center Takes Shape

BGSU is one of only a few business colleges in the United States that has adopted a bold, innovative and broad-based approach to business education. It is powered by discovery-based learning, hands-on experimentation and collaboration. The Robert W. and Patricia A. Maurer Center will be a state-of-the-art facility to match our world-class curriculum. The building will include a renovation of Hanna Hall, and a 50,000-square-foot addition, and will serve as a new gateway to the academic core of the BGSU campus.Peggy Schmeltz

One of the signature spaces of the new Maurer Center is the all glass atrium located centrally within the addition. Named for generous donors William (Bill) and Peggy Schmeltz ‘50, ‘70, the William F. and Peggy L. Schmeltz Atrium will be the premier gathering space for educational and networking events and opportunities for faculty, staff, students and business professionals. Students will be able to engage with business leaders during symposiums and conferences, focusing on areas such as leadership, analytics, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Flexibility is the hallmark of the Schmeltz Atrium. It will be able to accommodate large gatherings or partitioned off to accommodate several smaller groups.

The Schmeltzs have been associated with the BGSU College of Business since 1944 when Bill enrolled. He later returned to BGSU and devoted 30 years of service as an accounting professor, department chair and Dean of the College of Business. He also had a private accounting firm and served as a president of the CFA Institute. Bill passed away in April of 2014.

Peggy earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1950 and a master’s degree in education in 1970. She served as a member of the Board of Directors of the BGSU Foundation, Inc. from 1996 to 2003. She was appointed to BetterInvesting’s board of directors after serving as the chair of the board, president, regional coordinator and director of training for the National Investors Association Advisory Board. Prior to her appointment to the board, Peggy served as a member of the Individual Investors Advisory committee of the New York Stock Exchange.

It is most fitting that the William F. and Peggy L. Schmeltz Atrium be named for a couple who dedicated their lives to business education at BGSU.