May 2012

(Posted May 31, 2012 )

Mazey@BG Alumni and Friends Archive

Dear Alumni and Friends,

As we come to the end of spring and approach summer in Bowling Green, please find time to visit campus. It is just beautiful this time of year.

And what would spring be without a good love story? Two of our May graduates — violinists Sally Williams and Mark Minnich — met in the College of Musical Arts, performed together and will get married this summer. Check out our talented duo! These soon-to-be Falcon Flames played at an alumni event in Toledo and had a chance to meet 1947 Falcon Flames Mark and Maxine 'Mickey' Welker. I wish Sally and Mark all the best and hope their love endures as long as Mickey and Mark's.

At spring commencement, I was so inspired by Dorian Evans, a mother of four young children and one of our BGSU Firelands graduates. Like many non-traditional students, she faced a host of challenges in pursuing her education, but her hard work and tenacity paid off. Dorian received her bachelor's degree and has begun a new career as a special events/volunteer coordinator with the United Way of Erie County.

Internationally, the residents of Havana, Cuba, got a big glimpse of BGSU talent on May 12 when graphic designs by students Lindsay Holtz, Anthony Asher and Aubrey Cox were projected on the side of two large buildings on Plaza Vieja in the Cuban capital. The presentation was part of the Havana Biennial, an international art show. Their designs are featured on the Facebook timeline for the biennial.

We are all looking forward to working with alumnus Ray Braun, '80, the new dean of our College of Business. Ray is an attorney and businessman. He was the CEO of Cogdell Spencer Inc., a public company in Charlotte, N.C., specializing in medical office buildings, and president of Health Care REIT Inc., of Toledo, a health care real estate investment trust. You may remember that Rodney Rogers, Ph.D., the former dean, is now our senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.

Congratulations to our softball team, which had the biggest turnaround in the country this year, winning 24 more games than they did a year ago. The team went 36-22, and head coach Shannon Salsburg was named MAC Coach of the Year. Jamie Kertes was named the MAC Freshman of the Year, and junior Hannah Fulk set a new school record with 15 home runs.

I continue to be deeply touched by the outpouring of support to honor the memories of Rebekah Blakkolb, Christina Goyett, and Sarah Hammond — the three members of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority who died tragically in a March car accident. The "Strength in Sisterhood” Scholarship has been established by many generous donors and will be awarded to a member of the sorority in the fall. To donate, click here.

I am happy to report that Angelica Mormile and Kayla Somoles, who were seriously injured in the accident, are making great strides in their recovery. They both hope to be able to return to BGSU soon.

During the month of May, I had the opportunity to meet with nearly 200 alumni as we continued the "Meet the President" series. Special thanks to all who attended the events in Dayton and Toledo and in Asheville, N.C. And, my sincere appreciation to Ed and Diane Phillips, Larry and Suzanne Davenport, Joe and Judith Conda, David and Myrna Bryan, John and Kaye Harbal, and Don and Frederica Irwin, who hosted these events. I continue to be impressed by the commitment that Falcon alumni have to their alma mater.

So, break out the orange and brown and show us your BG spirit! As you travel this summer, show your school pride and get a photo of yourself, fellow alumni, friends and family proudly wearing our school colors or emblems. Simply visit photos.bgsu.edu to view spirit photos and submit your own.

Regards,
Mary Ellen Mazey, Ph.D.
President