BGSU prepares to inaugurate 11th president

BOWLING GREEN, O.—Friday, Dec. 2, marks the installation of Mary Ellen Mazey as the 11th president of Bowling Green State University. A series of events are planned throughout the week leading up to this historic event.

The week begins Monday, Nov. 28, with an academic symposium on “Geography in the Changing World of Higher Education: Opportunities and Challenges,” presented by Dr. M. Duane Nellis, president of the University of Idaho and a former colleague of President Mazey’s at West Virginia University, where both served as dean of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. The two also share an academic background in geography. His talk begins at 2:30 p.m. in 206 Bowen-Thompson Student Union.

After his talk, Nellis will join a panel of BGSU geography faculty members - Drs. Karen Johnson-Webb, Kefa Otiso and Art Samel - moderated by Dr. Rodney Rogers, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, for further discussion.

On Tuesday, Nov. 29, the focus turns to sports when President Mazey serves as honorary coach for the women's basketball game against Western Kentucky University. Tipoff is 7 p.m. in the Stroh Center. Special shuttles for BGSU students will be running, and prizes and raffles will be part of the celebration. President Mazey will greet shuttle riders arriving at various times before the game.

Students are in the spotlight on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 30, at the Student Research Symposium
in McFall Center Gallery. Poster presentations will be held from 5-6 p.m., followed by oral presentations from 6-7 p.m.

The week culminates on Friday with the 
inauguration ceremony at 2:30 p.m. in the Stroh Center. Giving the keynote address will be Dr. Peter McGrath, interim president of Binghamton University and also a former colleague of Dr. Mazey’s from West Virginia University. A well-known leader in higher education, McGrath has served as president of several universities and in leadership roles for organizations such as the College Board and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities.

The installation ceremony will begin with a faculty procession at 2:15 and end with a reception from 4-5 p.m.
in the first-floor lobby area. The event is free and open to the public.

A weeklong food drive will be held, with collection bins around campus and at the basketball game.


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(Posted November 21, 2011 )