sister jane mary sorosiak ’72

CATHOLIC NUN FOUND CALLING AS MURAL ARTIST

    
Sister Jane Mary Sorosiak ’72, a Sister of St. Francis who received her master’s degree in art at BGSU, is a celebrated artist who creates beautiful and inspiring ceramic murals for churches and other buildings.

Some artists might start out with a small project. Not Sorosiak. Her first mural in 1983 was a 40-foot mural of Christ located at the Franciscan Center at Lourdes University in Sylvania, Ohio. Since then, Sorosiak has been commissioned to create hundreds of murals around northwest Ohio and across the nation. She most recently traveled to Bryan, Texas, to design and install two murals for a hospital.

Each mural begins with her sketch before she cuts, paints and fires the dozens of ceramic plates. Sorosiak numbers each plate on the back, corresponding with a large sheet of paper so the mural is easy to put together upon arrival.

Before she earned her master’s at BGSU, Sorosiak taught art at Cardinal Stritch High School in Toledo for 14 years, earned a bachelor’s degree from Mary Manse College and a master’s degree in English from Xavier College.

Bob D. Mahaffey ’84

MOVIE MAKER DEBUTS WITH ‘GIBSONBURG’

Bob D. Mahaffey ’84, a business graduate turned filmmaker, has channeled his fascination with the team that became unlikely state champions in baseball into his first movie, “Gibsonburg.” While Mahaffey said he’s always wanted to make a movie, this was his first attempt at making it a reality.

In 2005, a northwest Ohio high school baseball team finished the season with a 6-17 record. The underdogs from Gibsonburg shook off their losing record and won the state title. Mahaffey knew the story, but was inspired by details from his niece’s husband during a family gathering in 2010. He first captured the story as a book before adapting it into a screenplay.

Dozens of BGSU students helped make the film by filling most of the acting roles, serving as the film’s crew and even handling catering.

Mahaffey comes from a Falcon family. His father and grandparents are alumni and his aunt is Ginger Kathrens ‘68, a noted filmmaker and one of BGSU’s 100 Most Prominent Alumni.

brad carper ’03

REALITY TV CAREER DEFINED IN FRIGID ALASKA

  
Brad Carper ’03, a telecommunications graduate, is the man behind the camera in one of the world’s most extreme cold climates — northern Alaska — for various documentary and reality television programs like the Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch.” As a freelance cinematographer and producer, his credits include Animal Planet’s “Whale Wars,” History Channel’s “Ax Men,” and Discovery’s “Bering Sea Gold.”

It took persistence, support from family and other BGSU alumni, and the sort of practical TV experience that Carper started earning as a student employee of WBGU-TV. His career goals formed during a master class at BGSU taught by E! Networks executive Jeff Shore ’75, the alumnus who created “E! True Hollywood Story.” Carper later secured an internship there.

After graduation, Carper spent his first year in California couch surfing with Bowling Green friends who had already established themselves in Tinsel Town.

“If you want something bad enough, you can obtain it, but sometimes you have to put yourself in uncomfortable situations to do it,” Carper said.

paul miles ’74

FORMER FOOTBALL STANDOUT IS BLUES ARTIST

    
Before running to gigs as Detroit’s award-winning
“blues man,” Paul Miles ’74 was running down the field for
the Falcons.

He was a first team All-MAC selection as a tailback in 1971, 1972 and 1973. At the time, Miles was only the third running back to rush for 1,000 yards in three seasons in the history of the NCAA. He boasts the second-most career rushes in University history, with 3,238 yards. Miles remains the only Falcon football player to have his number retired: Falcon number 29.

Miles travels often to perform. He was named 2012 Best Blues Singer of the year at the Detroit Black Music Awards, received eight nominations at the 2013 Detroit Music Awards, and his recordings have been attracting awards and nominations since 2005.

He remains connected to BGSU, even writing a song for the football team before the 2012 Military Bowl.

His advice for students: Be open to all those you meet. Life lessons are often disguised.

“Be flexible, have an open mind and know that education can come from more than just your textbook,” Miles said.

Four new inductees welcomed into BGSU Academy of Distinguished Alumni    

     The 2013 Class of the Academy of Distinguished Alumni was inducted during a formal event as part of the Homecoming 2013 celebration. The award is the highest alumni honor bestowed by the University. It recognizes graduates who have transformed their industry through significant professional achievement or leadership. Honorees are selected by committee and must exemplify the values of Bowling Green State University.

Inducted were Dr. Paul W. Stiffler ’65, ’67, a board-certified microbiologist and entrepreneur; Linda Forte ’74, senior vice president of business affairs for Comerica Inc.; George McPhee ’82, vice president and general manager of the Washington Capitals; and Maryrose Sylvester ’87, CEO of GE Lighting, a division of General Electric.

Stiffler is co-founder, executive vice president and director of regulatory affairs for Medtrol Inc., a manufacturer of infection control products widely used in the health care, food service and education industries. He is also a passionate supporter of University Libraries.

Forte is a member of Comerica’s national senior leadership team and is the highest-ranking Comerica official in greater Detroit. Her duties include oversight of the Comerica Charitable Foundation, Comerica Contributions, and Civic Affairs, but Forte has demonstrated passion for her employees and adopted hometown that surpasses her job description.

McPhee is vice president and general manager of the NHL’s Washington Capitals and a retired professional athlete. He is also one of BGSU’s 100 Most Prominent Alumni, BGSU Athletic Hall of Famer, and one of the most decorated student-athletes in the history of the University and all-time collegiate hockey.

Sylvester is CEO of GE Lighting, a $3 billion division of the Fortune 500 company General Electric, and a champion for women in business. In 1997, she helped to establish the GE Women’s Network, an important part of General Electric’s organized effort to cultivate diversity and empower its workforce.

To nominate an alumna/alumnus for the Academy of Distinguished Alumni, visit bgsualumni.com/academy.

Dr. Pamela Cross Young ’74

BGSU GRADUATE IS EDUCATIONAL LEADER IN OHIO

    
Dr. Pamela Cross Young ‘74 is an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and director of accreditation for the School of Education and Health Sciences at the University of Dayton. Previously, she served more than 30 years as a public school administrator. She retired as an associate superintendent for the Ohio Department of Education. While an administrator in Springfield, Young became the state of Ohio’s second Milken National Educator Awardee.

Young holds a B.S. in education from Bowling Green State University; a M.Ed. from Mansfield State University, Mansfield, Penn.; and a Ph.D. from the University of Dayton. Her varied service and leadership efforts include the past chair of Community Mercy Health Partners Board of Directors, BGSU College of Education and Human Development Advocate Board, past vice president of the Catholic Central School Board of Trustees and past president of the Springfield Arts Council. She was also recognized at the BGSU 2013 College Alumni Awards.