Schmidthorst College of Business Faculty and Staff Say Farewell to Business Administration Building

Written by Bailey Smith, College of Business Communications Intern

Schmidthorst College of Business faculty and staff are saying goodbye to their old home and preparing to move to the new building, the Robert W. and Patricia A. Maurer Center.

Built in 1972 at a cost of $2.3 million, Bowling Green State University’s Business Administration building has recently been renamed Central Hall, because of its central location on campus.  In 1988, the annex was added at a cost of $3.5 million, expanding the building by 37,396 square feet.

The transformational gift of $5 million from Robert and Patricia Maurer of Bowling Green provided major support for the new facility. The Maurer’s, who have been prominent in the Bowling Green community for many years, have generously supported the University through a variety of philanthropic ventures. Construction on the Maurer Center began after the groundbreaking ceremony in October 2018. The state-of-the-art facility, located along the Wooster Street corridor, includes the renovation of Hanna Hall and a 50,224 square foot addition. The Maurer Center is designed to allow discovery-based learning, hands-on experimentation, and collaboration to support the development and education of 21st century business leaders and entrepreneurs.

In addition to the Maurer’s substantial gift, their philanthropy has been joined and enhanced by other prominent members of the College’s family. Other major donors include Peggy Schmeltz, Paul and Margo Hooker, John and Ruth Riedl, and Michael and Mary Lee McGranaghan.

William Schmeltz spent three decades at BGSU as an accounting professor, a department chairman and dean of the College of Business Administration. 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.

“The thing I will miss most about the old building is the Hub. It’s the feeling of excitement walking up the stairs and the instant surprise when you see friends, professors, or faculty,” said Brooke Schlatter, a third-year marketing student. “However, change is wonderful, as is our new home, the Maurer Center! While I will miss the Hub, I am looking forward to spending time in the Schmeltz Atrium!”

Paul and Margo Hooker are strong, long-term supporters of the Schmidthorst College of Business. They have provided numerous gifts, but the latest gift has a more emotional connection for Paul especially. The Hooker’s named a space in memory of Paul’s aunt, Sister Mary Noreen Gray, whose life was spent serving others as an educator and humanitarian. The Sister Noreen Gray Student Success Hub will be a one-stop shop for business students once the new business building is open in the fall. It will include offices for recruiting, advising, and academic and career coaching. This unique student-centric space will be next to the student organization space.

“We are very excited about the Sister Mary Noreen Gray R. S. M. Student Success Hub in the new building” commented Dr. Tim Chambers, Director of Undergraduate Student Development. “Not only is it an impressive facility, its design will allow for state-of-the-art advising services.”

Michael (Mike) ’80 and Mary Lee ’80 McGranaghan have provided a gift to create the Dean’s Suite. The suite will be centrally located in the building and house the administrative offices for the College. “The administrative assistants in the College of Business pride ourselves for being a one-stop-shop for our students.  The new layout of the Maurer Center, which includes a new Administrative Suite, will support this goal even more,” commented Kelly Dove, Economics Department Administrative Assistant. “We look forward to welcoming and serving our students in this new state of the art building in the fall!”

The Riedl Courtyard, named after it’s generous donors, John and Ruth Riedel, will offer an outdoor meeting space perfect for small events and gatherings. Various conference, collaboration and meeting rooms will also provide accessible and functional space for students, faculty, staff, business partners and the community.

The dedication of the Robert W. and Patricia A. Maurer Center is scheduled for Friday, September 11.