2022 Year in Review logo

The close of another calendar year offers the opportunity to reflect on all that we have experienced and accomplished in 2022. In the past year, members of the BGSU community were curious and creative, bold and brave, kind and considerate - creating public good, welcoming new partnerships and achieving excellence at the University and beyond.

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Redefining Student Success through Life Design

BGSU announces $13.5M in gifts to support student success

An unprecedented commitment to Life Design - a distinct and unparalleled approach for current and future students - was given by two alumni philanthropists, Geoff Radbill '68 and Mike Kuhlin '68, making BGSU the first university in the United States to offer Life Design on such a broad scale.

Life Design at BGSU: First-year students demonstrate knowledge of design thinking through public good proposals

BGSU students presented nearly 200 projects intended to create public good as part of the second annual BGSU 1910 Project Showcase, hosted by the Geoffrey H. Radbill Center for College and Life Design.

Spotlight on Student Achievements

Honors chemistry student selected for prestigious ACS conference

Brie Bradshaw was among a select group chosen for the 2022 LEADS Conference, hosted by the American Chemical Society in Washington, D.C. The conference gave her the opportunity to meet with some of the world’s top chemists, scientists and professionals.

President’s Leadership Academy scholar named an Aspen Institute fellow

Senior Gabriel Beaver was chosen to be an Aspen Index Impact Fellow after making a connection during a BGSU class.

Senior nationally recognized for work to make education more inclusive, culturally responsive

Arianna Bustos has dedicated her studies to creating learning environments that support the needs of students of color.

1st cohort of innovative BGSU Doctor of Physical Therapy program reflects core tenets of diversity, inclusion

The University welcomed the first cohort of the new Doctor of Physical Therapy program — Ohio’s first and only public, accelerated DPT program. The cohort is the largest in the state and is one of the most diverse within physical therapy education in the nation.

First-generation BGSU student chosen for inaugural Obama scholarship for public service

BGSU junior Kaylee Ries was among 100 college students nationwide to be awarded the inaugural Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service aimed at providing greater access to education and exposure to new experiences while pursuing a career in public service.

Firelands graduate remakes life with BGSU education, is ready to make a difference in the lives of others

Post-traditional student Stephanie Lane graduated with her third degree from BGSU and is ready to complete her Master of Social Work.

Research drives the Public Good

In addition to shaping student successes, BGSU faculty positively impacted their fields of study and the wider world through research that drew national and international acclaim.

Fighting microplastics: BGSU researcher helps create process to decompose plastic on demand

Dr. Jayaraman Sivaguru helped pioneer a new plastic that decomposes on demand when exposed to a specific wavelength of light - a potential tool in the fight against microplastic pollution.

Gov. DeWine visits BGSU to highlight importance of water-quality research

BGSU research teams made a difference in finding clean water solutions both in Ohio and globally in 2022.

Deadly infections: BGSU professor leads research efforts in the fight against antibiotic-resistant pathogens

Associate professor Dr. Hans Wildshutte led research on the discovery of new antibiotics and alternative treatments in the fight against multi-drug resistant pathogens, which are projected to cause 10 million deaths a year worldwide by 2050 without intervention.

BGSU professor conducts statewide conversation on human trafficking awareness

Dr. Lara Wilkin guided education and awareness initiatives around human trafficking for Ohio’s attorney general and other policymakers.

BGSU photochemical scientists create award-winning coating to preserve historical monuments for National Park Service

A BGSU team developed the tri-coating system with the National Park Service in mind, but has seen additional uses and applications through promising research.

BGSU professor aims to improve safety and efficiency of self-driving cars

Dr. Qing Tian, assistant professor of computer science, led a research project to reduce the time it takes self-driving cars to detect objects.

Summit at BGSU sheds light on, helps identify solution to teacher shortages

Held in collaboration with the ODE and ODHE, the teacher shortage summit brought stakeholders together to collaborate on possible solutions.

BGSU psychologist receives more than $1 million in grants for groundbreaking sports betting research

Dr. Josh Grubbs' research focuses on how problem gambling on sports can be better understood and possibly predicted.

Alumni Achievements

History-making, boundary-breaking and greater good-cultivating - BGSU alumni are all these words and more as they continue to impact and influence their professions and communities from Bowling Green and beyond.

BGSU alumnus makes NHL broadcasting history

Everett Fitzhugh '11, the play-by-play voice of the Seattle Kraken, credits BGSU with playing an integral part in his boundary-breaking journey to the broadcast booth.

From BGSU to Broadway: Alumnus wins Tony as producer on 'A Strange Loop'

Jimmy Wilson '11 is the University's first alumnus to win a Tony Award and they credit their success in part to connections made at BGSU.

BGSU forges industry-leading Partnerships and Expansions

The University’s commitment to addressing critical workforce needs while preparing students for careers of the future expanded with the announcement of several new partnerships, programs and two new colleges.

University is committed to meeting industry needs with Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics

BGSU renewed its mission to address workforce needs for skilled professionals in the region and state by expanding its commitment to the innovative Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics. This year, Executive Director Tim Mayle was named to helm the center, created by BGSU, Owens Community College and the University of Findlay.

New Bowling Green Flight Center training facility ready for takeoff

Impactful partnership news came in June with the $5 million commitment by partner North Star Aviation to expand the BG Flight Center.

BGSU partners with one of the largest U.S. regional airlines, creates workforce pipeline for aviation students

A new partnership between Bowling Green State University and Republic Airways provides students with a direct pathway to a career through conditional job offers.

Schmidthorst College of Business, Ohio Department of Development partner to expand internship opportunities

The Ohio Department of Development recognized the University’s expertise in business in September, selecting BGSU as the only northwestern Ohio university to partner with the Ohio Export Internship Program. In support of student success and to drive economic vitality, the University's Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business will begin offering an export-focused class where students will be eligible for export-related internships at companies across the state beginning in May 2023.

BGSU announces new School of Engineering, School of Aviation

Landmark changes are on the horizon for the University’s College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering, as announced by the Board of Trustees in September. Reconfiguration of the college will create the School of Engineering and the School of Aviation. The reconfigured CTAAE will be composed of the new School of Engineering, School of Aviation and the existing School of the Built Environment.

BGSU School of Built Environment's new home will be named Kokosing Hall

The BGSU School of the Built Environment, the only one of its kind in the state of Ohio, will be housed in the expanded Kokosing Hall – the former Park Avenue building – which is undergoing an addition of 22,900 square feet through a transformative gift from Kokosing Inc. Upon its completion, Kokosing Hall will include a 6,500-square-foot innovation lab, a materials and soils lab, collaborative spaces and two digital labs to serve students in both the construction management and architecture and environmental design programs, which together make the School of the Built Environment.

National recognition for program quality and student support

U.S. News & World Report ranks BGSU among the top 10 public universities in the nation for undergraduate teaching

The University again was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top university for social mobility, which focuses on a college's ability to advance social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of economically disadvantaged students awarded Pell Grants. The vast majority of these federal grants are awarded to students whose adjusted gross family incomes are under $50,000.

BGSU climbs to No. 2 in national rankings as a top university for veterans, active military students

An ongoing commitment to the support and success of military and veteran students netted the University a ranking of second in the nation - and No. 1 in the Midwest - by Military Times in its Best for Vets: Colleges 2022 rankings.

BGSU Graduate School Rankings

BGSU graduate programs remain ranked among the nation's best by U.S. News & World Report's 2023 Best Grad School Rankings, with the University's industrial and organizational psychology program continuing an unprecedented three-decade dominance in the rankings with a national ranking at No. 3.

Online programs continue strong showing in national rankings

Proving that the University is a leader in educating students wherever they are, BGSU continued to be recognized for its highly successful eCampus ranking among the nation’s best in four categories by U.S. News & World Report.

The Homecoming
of the century

Homecoming traditions have come and gone, but since 1922, Bowling Green State University has always welcomed Falcon alumni back home. This year, BGSU celebrated its 100th Homecoming with beloved traditions and new features.

In photos: BGSU marks a milestone of memories with 100 years of Homecoming

Bowling Green State University's 100th homecoming celebration featured a variety of events that fostered reunions and created new memories for Falcons past and present.

BGSU dedicates new Alumni Gateway during 100th Homecoming celebration

The gateway – which resembles the original campus gateway that once stood in the same location – showcases the University's historic buildings and seamlessly connects BGSU to the city of Bowling Green, ranked as one of America's best college towns.

Art for the Public Good

The arts are central to the mission of a public educational institution and BGSU arts students, faculty and staff embrace this commitment through programming that totals hundreds of performances and exhibitions every semester.

Arts at BGSU provides a cultural connection between the University and region, integral to students and residents alike

BGSU hosts hundreds of arts events annually as experiential learning opportunities for students and to further its commitment to fostering cultural vitality.

ArtsX: Experiment

At ArtsX, the holiday showcase of BGSU student, faculty and alumni art, guests of all ages interacted with and imagined the power and beauty of art.

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ArtsX: Experiment theme was inspired by the interplay between the arts and the sciences and showcased work by students, faculty and staff.
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Student art is displayed during ArtsX: Experiment.
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Metalsmith Pat Pruitt discusses his contemporary work that is inspired by his Native American heritage and challenges traditional jewelry notions during the In The Round series that features Native American creatives who work in all areas of the arts.
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BGSU theatre students perform in "She Kills Monsters" by Qui Nguyen.
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Prints are displayed during Native American Heritage Month at the exhibit Giving Voice: Native American Prints from Crow's Shadow Institute of the Arts.
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The BGSU Wind Ensemble performs works by Stacy Garrop, Michael Frazier, Christopher Dietz, Marilyn Shrude and Han Lash during the Bowling Green New Music Festival.
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BGSU Collegiate Chorale members perform during the 43rd Annual Bowling Green New Music Festival, which featured pieces by guest composer Stacy Garrop and Grammy winner Jennifer Higdon '86.
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Gaelynn Lea, violinist, songwriter and disability rights advocate performs during the Creative Minds Series.
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Trombonist Brittany Lasch performs Adolphus Hailstork's Monuments during the 43rd Annual Bowling Green New Music Festival.
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Two young students observe a portrait at the Art of Diversity.
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Music Industry Club members take part in live music at Bloomfest.
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Falcon Marching Band sousaphonists play during Homecoming.

The Arts In Photos

Colorful, impactful, entertaining, emotional and enlightening - the arts at BGSU provide unparalleled experiences for the University and regional community.

Athletics

BGSU announces Derek van der Merwe as director of athletics

After a national search, BGSU announced Derek van der Merwe as the University's 15th athletics director.

In Photos: Falcons win thrilling I-75 rivalry game in Toledo

Shock. The. World. The annual backyard brawl that pits the BGSU Falcons against the rival-down-the-road Toledo Rockets saw the good guys travel north to a snowy Glass Bowl on Nov. 15. Final score - BGSU 42, University of Toledo 35.

Bowling Green takes on New Mexico State in Quick Lane Bowl

The win against the Rockets made the Falcons bowl-eligible and BGSU took on the New Mexico State Aggies at the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit on Dec. 26.

MAC champs! Falcons clinch MAC Tournament title in five-set thriller

The Bowling Green State University volleyball program captured the 2022 MAC Tournament Championship, topping Ball State in five sets to clinch the title, and sending the team to the NCAA Tournament. The MAC title was the second in the last three seasons for the volleyball team.