Embracing the Unexpected

Jennifer Higdon’s life has been full of surprises. The BGSU alumna and composer admitted during her commencement address on Dec.19 that much of her success, both personally and professionally, would likely have never happened had she stuck with her original plan at the University to become a professional flutist.

Instead of playing in an orchestra, Higdon ’86 is one of America’s most acclaimed and most frequently performed living composers. She has become a major figure in contemporary classical music, with commissions in the orchestral, chamber, choral, vocal and wind ensemble genres. An opera, written by Higdon and based on the book “Cold Mountain,” will premier in August 2015 in Santa Fe.

In addition to giving the commencement address, Higdon was awarded an honorary doctorate from BGSU during the ceremony.
She holds doctoral and master’s degrees in music composition from the University of Pennsylvania, a bachelor’s degree in flute performance from BGSU, and an Artist Diploma in music composition from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she now holds the Milton L. Rock Chair in Composition Studies.

Her Percussion Concerto won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Classical Composition in January 2010. Higdon also received the 2010 Pulitzer Prize in Music for her Violin Concerto.

The "Four R's" To Success

Eileen O’Neill ’90 said she can trace her enormous success to the “four R’s”—relationships, responsibility, risk taking and working “really, really hard.” O’Neill, the brains behind such hit shows as “19 Kids and Counting” and “The Little Couple,” truly paid her dues to reach her current position of Global Group President of Discovery Studios. O’Neill was the BGSU commencement speaker Dec. 20 and also received an honorary doctorate.

She started at Discovery Communications as an unpaid intern while earning a graduate degree in popular culture from the University. She was hired by DCI’s networks operation department immediately upon graduation.

“Looking back over 25 years I can honestly say there is no task too small that hasn’t somehow made me a better leader now,” O’Neill said. “Having been the first ‘tape librarian’ at Discovery I had no idea the mundane tasks of trafficking tapes to editors or vendors would make me realize years later I had a head start on knowing key producers, or how my decision to air or pull a show would impact a maze of people.”

O’Neill told the students at commencement that in a world attached to devices, it’s still human contact and relationships that will truly be a key part of their success.

Robert Kruse ’49 has spent his whole life thinking about cars

The 88-year-old entrepreneur has worked for top-selling dealerships all over the U.S., but there’s one car he’ll never forget —
his first.

“I bought my first car my sophomore year of high school — it was a Ford Model A,” he said. “It cost me $95 and I sold it later
for $105.”

Kruse received a Dean’s Lifetime Achievement Award from BGSU’s College of Education and Human Development in Nov. 2014 for his accomplished career in the automobile industry. At the height of his career with Chevrolet, Kruse oversaw 170 dealerships throughout Minnesota. Later, he launched several of his own entrepreneurial ventures, providing consulting in dealer management and marketing for the auto industry at the firms Unicorn Enterprises and Lyon Share Ltd.

A 1949 graduate, Kruse also served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and later when recalled, during the Korean War.

The key to Kruse’s success, he said, is that he always performed to the best of his ability, no matter the assignment.

“It’s very simple,” he said. “You don’t always have to be a superstar. If you know what your objective is, what you’re trying to accomplish, and you study, listen and find out what’s expected of you, people will take notice.”

Harold Flagg ’49 named to French Legion of Honor

Harold Flagg was part of a large influx of new students who enrolled at the University after the end of World War II. An Ohio farm kid drafted right after he had graduated from high school, Flagg had served in North Africa, France and Germany.

During his time overseas, Flagg had seen Paris in the days immediately following the cessation of fighting, and found himself enamored with the French language, the culture and the country.

He would study French and journalism at BGSU, and foster a lifelong relationship with both, visiting France and several former French colonies during his long career working for publications in Florida and The Bahamas.

“I think I must have been French in another lifetime,” said the 88-year-old Flagg. “I like to think I made good use of my studies of the French language when I was at BG. I learned a lot, and the exchange students there helped me, especially with the slang.”

France recently honored Flagg for his military service on French soil nearly 70 years ago. In May 2014, in a ceremony in south Florida aboard the USS New York, Flagg received the French Legion of Honor medal from Captain Philippe Petitdidier of the French navy.

“I am extremely proud of my knighthood and the Napoleonic award,” Flagg said about the distinction, which is the highest honor bestowed by France. “It is nice to be honored for your military service, no matter what your role was in the war.”

Flagg has authored four books in retirement, and plans to continue his literary pursuits.

“Languages and writing have always been my passion,” he said. “I am still amazed each day at the power of words.”  

Former student broadcaster John Allen ’62 remembers the “best of times”

It was the best of times! BGSU…1958-1962.

It was my privilege to be a student during that period, and a special privilege to be a student broadcaster during those years. I was majoring in radio-TV, with a second major in journalism. Instructors like Stone and Tucker in broadcasting, and Duerr in journalism helped me prepare for a lifelong career in the radio industry.

I wanted to be a sports broadcaster, and our Falcon teams were terrific! Doyt Perry was winning championships with Bob Coburn, Bernie Casey and Chuck Comer. Players I knew, like Jack Harbaugh from Crestline, and Archie Tunnell from Port Clinton also starred on the gridiron. In basketball, Harold Anderson’s teams featured first Jimmy Darrow, then Nate Thurmond and Howard Komives.

We broadcasters marveled at Darrow twice scoring 52 points in a game…with no 3-point shot. He did it against Marshall, and then Toledo…two of the best teams in the MAC! Thurmond and Komives combined to beat Loyola of Chicago, the eventual NCAA champion. There was BGSU’s undefeated football season in 1959, and regular MAC championships. And I enjoyed every minute of it…

“BG now up by 10, with only 12 seconds left in the half…Jennings has the ball for Miami…in the lane, turns and shoots. Blocked by Thurmond again. Wavey Junior has the loose ball, passes ahead to Komives at the head of the key, he shoots, good! Just before the buzzer, and the Falcons lead at halftime, 48 to 36.”

After graduation, I was fortunate enough to be the “Voice of the Falcons” on WFOB Radio in Fostoria, and the thrills continued. Later, I spent 40 years as a broadcaster for WFLS Radio, in Fredericksburg, Virginia. 

The training and background I received at BGSU, both in the classroom and on the radio, were critical in preparing me for a lifetime of broadcasting. When I visit the University now, I am impressed with the variety and number of opportunities for broadcast students. I get back to visit as often as possible, and enjoy it every time.

Go Falcons–Fear the Bird! – John Allen ’62

Community mourns loss of Alumna, arts patron Mary Wolfe

Bowling Green State University was saddened to learn of the death of Mary Wolfe ’68, ’06 (Hon.) on Oct. 23, 2014. She was an alumna, a former art history faculty member and gallery director and, with her husband, Frederic (Fritz), a longtime and generous supporter of the arts at BGSU and around the region.

In 2005, the Wolfes and the Wolfe Family Charitable Foundation presented a $1.5 million leadership gift to the University for the construction of the Wolfe Center for the Arts. After receiving her master’s degree in art history and painting from BGSU in 1968, Mary Wolfe taught the history of art until 1976, and served as director of exhibitions for the McFall Center Gallery until the mid-1980s. Throughout her life, she continued to give talks about art and art history to area groups and made many international trips to see art. A member of the Ohio Arts Council, she received the Governor’s Award for the Arts in 2011.