BGSU Zoom News

Monday, April 23, 2018

Clark rides away with winning pitch during The Hatch | Compliance Day free training June 7

Hatch winner Sara Clark (right) demonstrates her Magnahalter™ with the help of volunteers from Serenity Farms Equestrian Center.

ALUMNI INVESTORS BACK STUDENT IDEAS
Clark rides away with winning pitch during The Hatch

Bowling Green State University student entrepreneurs presented their business ideas to alumni investors during The Hatch on April 19, vying for funds to launch their businesses in a format similar to the television show "Shark Tank." This year's Hatchlings represent two countries, four states and five colleges within the University. Their business ideas focus on everything from sports, childhood development and gerontology to nutrition, wearable technology and better animal care.

Equestrians with conditions that make the use of their hands difficult may soon have a much easier way to halter their horses, thanks to Hatch winner Sara Clark, whose Magnahalter™ received backing from Investors, including a BGSU alumnus in the audience. Clark’s horse halter replaces buckles and clasps with Velcro and magnets, making the equipment more accessible to equestrians of all abilities, as well as offering an easier way for people with arthritis or cold-weather gloves to put on and take off halters.

“The Hatch program was incredible and it pushed me farther than I thought I could go,” said Clark, who walked away with $30,000 in investments. “I never thought of myself as a business person; I’m an education major, but I learned so much through this.”

Also funded was Kristen Grom’s Power Play, an app-controlled dog toy that allows owners to control the toy from smart devices. It offers a new way for owners to interact with their dogs, especially owners who face mobility issues or want to encourage their dogs to exercise during undesirable weather. Investors backed her business with additional referral to business incubation for further development.

Investors also saw potential in Marikay Mester’s Bloomzoa, an app that makes childhood nutrition fun and interactive while providing educational tools to successfully manage dietary restrictions. Children create a virtual pet and customize it to mirror any dietary needs the children might have in real life.

Meet the other 2018 Hatchlings and find out how they did.

Wells-Jensen on how to talk with aliens – Science Friday
Wallach on heavy metal mayor – New York Times

BGSU TO HOST SIXTH ANNUAL COMPLIANCE DAY FREE TRAINING JUNE 7

Bowling Green State University will host a free training to address various aspects of compliance during the sixth annual Compliance Day on June 7. University and community members and business professionals will have the opportunity to receive training directly from representatives of government agencies.

Sessions will be led by representatives from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs; the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division; and the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC).

The open sessions will cover a variety of topics regarding new regulations and current legislation; the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Fair Labor Standards Act; powers and duties of the OCRC as it relates to employment; types of unlawful discrimination; Ohio Revised Code 4112; eliminating barriers in recruitment and hiring; enforcing equal pay laws, and protecting immigrant, migrant and other vulnerable workers.

“Compliance Day is designed to provide additional knowledge from the subject matter experts, who serve as regulators in their respective fields,” said Dr. Lisa Dubose, director of employee relations, professional development and EEO compliance. “It is imperative that organizational leaders continually update their understanding of existing or new laws and regulations pertinent to the workplace. We are pleased to offer this prestigious, no-cost training at Bowling Green State University.”

SHARE IDEAS, GET INFORMATION AT FOCUS ON THE FUTURE STRATEGIC PLAN OPEN HOUSES

The final “Focus on the Future” strategic planning open house forum will be held from 8-11 a.m. Thursday (April 26) in 201 Bowen-Thompson Student Union.

Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to drop in, get information and share their insights with administrators on the core capabilities and competencies BGSU must have in order to thrive. These include academic programs, people, research and creative activity, external relations, and financial strength and facilities/IT.

The stations will also be set up from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 7-11 in McFall Center Gallery, where participants can leave their notes on the idea boards.