BGSU premieres Changing Lives for the World Campaign

More than $107 million raised to date

More than 350 guests attended the premiere of Bowling Green State University’s Changing Lives for the World comprehensive campaign Oct. 13. The special event highlighted four campaign priorities: scholarships to support students in all majors, endowed faculty and staff positions to recruit and retain outstanding educators and coaches, creating state-of-the-art facilities, and named academic programs and units.

“Bowling Green State University embraces its responsibility to advance society through innovative education,” said President Mary Ellen Mazey. “This campaign will allow us to continue our heritage of excellence, access and affordability. Now is the time to build the future of this great University.”

More than $107 million has been raised as of Oct. 13 for the comprehensive campaign, which has a goal of $200 million. Nearly 14,000 individuals made outright gifts, new pledges, gifts-in-kind and new planned gifts in 2016-17.

Held in the newly renovated University Hall, the premiere included inspirational stories from students, faculty and alumni who are changing lives for the world; tours of the renovated University Hall and Moseley Hall; and musical entertainment.

Campaign committee co-chair and 1984 BGSU alumnus Larry Benz gave a welcome, and remarks were made by Mazey, campaign committee member and 1975 alumnus Paul Hooker, political science/pre-law student Meg Burrell and political science student Jauntez Bates.

“This University helped me in so many ways,” Benz said. “Every so often, I take a minute to reflect on my time at BGSU and to appreciate how the University prepared me for the challenges and opportunities that have been presented to me.”

Jim Bailey serves as co-chair of the campaign committee, alongside Benz. Shantanu and Reni Narayen and Bob and Linda Sebo are honorary co-chairs. Committee members are Linda Forte, John Harbal, Paul Hooker, Mike Marsh, Lee Meserve, Marge Meserve, Bruce Misamore, Amy Shore, Linda Watters, Mike Wilcox and Max Williamson.

During the event, Benz and Hooker both announced additional support of the University. Benz announced a gift of a professorship for the College of Health and Human Services and Hooker intends to name one of the academic centers in the College of Business.

Investment in new and renovated facilities is essential to creating campuses that are welcoming and provide the best resources for teaching and learning. From technology friendly classrooms and cutting-edge buildings to premier athletic and recreational facilities, private philanthropy is central to building campuses of excellence, according to Mazey.