The Rogers Report August 2018

With a month into the fall semester and Homecoming just around the corner, our campuses are alive with excitement as we prepare to welcome thousands of alumni and friends when they return home to celebrate BGSU.

Since the last time I wrote to you, we've announced a major partnership and honored five new inductees of the BGSU Athletics Hall of Fame, and I found some time to catch up with our new women's basketball coach.

Enjoy some of my favorite stories and highlights from this past month!

Regards,

Rodney K. Rogers, Ph.D. '81
President
Bowling Green State University

Rogers vs. Fralick

I started a special tradition as president. Whenever we hire a new basketball coach, I will take them on in a game of F-A-L-C-O-N! It was great shooting some hoops with head coach Robyn Fralick – I even had a chance to talk with her about her goals for the program and all the things that excite her about being at BGSU. Plan to join us as we tip off the new season at home starting November 13. Ay Ziggy Zoomba!

See who won our game of F-A-L-C-O-N (hint: I did not stand a chance) →

A duty to help: Alumnus gives back by creating scholarships for student-veterans

Bill Downing is a 1957 alumnus of BGSU, a Navy veteran of the Korean War and founder of Downing Enterprises. While on campus, he joined Kappa Sigma Fraternity and met his wife, Joan – they are Falcon Flames. This fall, he generously committed a transformational gift in support of our military and veteran students and we honored their contribution by naming the William and Joan Downing Military and Veteran Center. He and his family are directly impacting students through scholarships and by creating a space where our more than 600 military and veteran students can build a community where they can belong.

Read more about Bill's transformational commitment →

BGSU, Mercy Health announce partnership to grow health care education

This month, BGSU and Mercy Health announced the signing of a letter of intent to explore the transfer of operations of Mercy College of Ohio to Bowling Green State University. This partnership will address the statewide shortage of nurses and the high demand for other health professionals. As a public university, we have an obligation to create public good, which meshes seamlessly with Mercy's mission to provide health care and wellness services to all in need. Together, we can better serve our region, the state of Ohio, the nation and world.

Learn about our new partnership with Mercy Health →

In the footsteps of Darwin: BGSU students see interaction of biology, geology on Ecuador study trip

This summer, a diverse group of eight students made the ecosystem of Ecuador and its Galápagos Islands their classroom. The study abroad trip led by faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences and the School of Earth, Environment and Society traced the natural and human impact on the environment and followed in the footsteps of Charles Darwin through this most fascinating part of the world. This was such a meaningful opportunity for our students to experience learning outside our campuses and develop their global perspective – an example of how they found a university where they can belong, stand out and go far.

Check out what our students got to experience this summer in Ecuador →

BGSU inducts five into Athletics Hall of Fame

BGSU welcomed five outstanding inductees into the Athletics Hall of Fame. These inductees bring the membership of this prestigious group to 240 individuals, all examples of Falcons who have had storied careers as student-athletes and as alumni. Congratulations to Kate Achter (women's basketball), Liz Honegger (women's basketball, track and field), Kory Lichtensteiger (football), John Smith (men's wrestling) and Dr. Ron Zwierlein (men's swimming, coach, administrator) on a well-deserved recognition.

Learn about the inductees of the 52nd Athletics Hall of Fame class →