A new era of business education at BGSU

BGSU has long been known for excellence in its business programs

Business education has long been a hallmark of Bowling Green State University.

Founded in 1935 as the third college at BGSU, the Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business is home to nearly 2,000 students and 14 undergraduate specializations, including supply chain management, which was recently ranked in the Gartner Supply Chain University Top 25 for 2020. 

BGSU’s business school is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a recognition it has held since 1954 and a credential that only the top two percent of business schools worldwide achieve.

BGSU also offers a growing list of graduate and executive programs, including the recently launched fully online MBA program. 

With the historic $15 million gift for business education and naming of the business school, the Schmidthorst College of Business sets the stage for international recognition. 

“We’re building on a solid foundation,” said BGSU Provost and Vice President Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Joe B. Whitehead Jr. “With the Schmidthorsts’ gift, we will be able to enhance and elevate our current programs, as well as develop new, innovative programs in the future.”

Known for its entrepreneurship program, BGSU is home to the Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, which is one of only 20 centers worldwide that is recognized by the AACSB.

Business students are highly engaged through professional student organizations. BGSU’s chapter of the American Marketing Association is among the top 10 percent of chapters in the country, and the Beta Alpha Psi accounting chapter is ranked No. 2 in the U.S.

Faculty members bring real-world experience to the classroom and emphasize experiential learning. Students can participate in internships as early as their freshman year, providing opportunities to build their professional network and gain hand-on experience at the start of their education.

With the opening of the Robert W. and Patricia A. Maurer Center this fall, business students will learn in a state-of-the-art facility that will further enhance collaboration and active learning.

“This is a transformational gift, and it is even more transformative with the timing of the new facility,” Whitehead said. “This is a great opportunity for the students in the Schmidthorst College of Business, as well the faculty and staff, as we move the college to a new level, both nationally and internationally.”

BGSU business alumni have launched successful businesses around the world, leading their industries and communities, driving economic vitality and contributing to the University’s commitment to creating public good. Business alumni remain engaged with BGSU after graduation, from mentorship, to serving on boards and private philanthropy.