April 2013

(Posted April 30, 2013 )

Mazey@BG Alumni and Friends Archive

Dear Alumni and Friends,

Although campus is never dull, life seems to move at a fever pitch in April as everyone prepares for the end of spring semester and May commencement.

The College of Business was buzzing with E-Week, featuring interactive events and activities, which culminated with the 10th anniversary of the Sebo Series in Entrepreneurship. A highlight of the week was the induction of four members into the Dallas-Hamilton Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame: Larry Davenport ’72, Joseph J. Fisch Jr. ’71, Patrick Ryan ’74, and Frederic Wolfe. Congratulations to these outstanding entrepreneurs!

Also during E-Week, a crowd of more than 600 gathered to watch The Hatch, a new entrepreneurial competition similar to “Shark Tank” where BGSU students prepared professional pitches for real investors. The largest funding went to senior Scott Hodges; he secured funding from four of the five investors, who each pledged $10,000 to help launch his late-night taco truck.

Faculty efforts and achievements were honored at the 2013 Faculty Recognition Awards ceremony. The University’s highest honor for teaching went to Dr. Timothy Murnen, associate professor in the School of Teaching and Learning, who was named the 2013 Master Teacher by the Student Alumni Connection. The University expressed its regard for Dr. Wendy Manning, professor of sociology, by naming her a Distinguished Research Professor.

Faculty also garnered national recognition as Dr. Elainie Lillios, associate professor of composition, was named a Fulbright Scholar and Dr. Lawrence Coates, a professor and director of the Creative Writing Program, received the 2013 Nancy Dasher Award for his novel “The Garden of the World.”

A new course developed by Dr. Mariana Mereoiu and Dr. Mary Murray in the College of Education and Human Development, the Parent Professional Partnership course, will serve as a model for the entire state of Ohio. The class is designed to help parents and teachers work together for the good of children with disabilities.

One of our Falcons is about to become a Texan as defensive tackle Chris Jones was selected in the sixth round of the NFL draft on Saturday by Houston. Jones, who was voted the MAC’s defensive player of the year last season, is just one of six Mid-American Conference players selected in this year's draft. Offensive lineman Jordon Roussos will be signing a free agent contract with Seattle.

Congratulations to tennis coach Penny Dean on becoming the third BGSU coach to be named MAC Coach of the Year this year. She led the team to its most wins in program history as the squad advanced to the MAC Championship before a tough 4-3 loss ended their season.

Students were front and center at the 2013 Dance Marathon where they raised a record $313,000 for the Children's Miracle Network. Our students’ efforts to support the community are inspirational, as is the story of Natalie Swiecicki, who came full circle from a former miracle child to a 2013 morale captain.

Students aren’t the only ones who can dance. Alumni will be “Dancing in the Streets” with the legendary Martha Reeves at a special BGSU Alumni Association event at the Motown Museum on May 18 in Detroit. Miss Reeves will give tours of Hitsville U.S.A. and join us for a reception. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today.

BGSU had special reason to celebrate Earth Day this year as we were included in The Princeton Review's “Guide to 322 Green Colleges” which heralded us for a “...top-to-bottom commitment to campus life, from employing a full-time sustainability officer to offering a host of environmentally centered student groups to encouraging students to pursue green jobs after graduation.”

Finally, as we prepare to send a new class of graduates from the nest, remember BGSU is here to support you through all stages of your career. A new resource for all alumni is Optimal Resume, which simply requires the password “ziggy.” Stay connected with us and your fellow alumni on Twitter at #BGSUalumni.

Mary Ellen Mazey, Ph.D.
President