California couple supports values education initiative

A couple from Los Angeles has pledged $1 million in cash and deferred gifts to support BGSU’s efforts to incorporate discussion about values into the academic and co-curricular experiences of all Bowling
Green students.

Official announcement of the gift from Hugh Smith, a 1953 business administration graduate, and his wife, Barbara Smith, was made Thursday (Oct. 14) evening on campus during a dinner attended by board members of the Alumni Association and the BGSU Foundation Inc., as well as by members of the University’s Board of Trustees.

The gift will enable the University to increase the number of incoming freshmen who participate in BGeXperience: Vision and Values.

Now in its third year, the general education instruction incorporates critical thinking about values to make learning relevant and applicable to decision-making in everyday life. Initiated by President Sidney Ribeau, it is the only program of its kind at a public university in the United States.

About half of this year’s 3,929 incoming freshmen took part in the BGeXperience introductory program prior to the start of fall classes. Assigned to small groups led by a faculty member and an upper-class peer mentor, participants began discussions about the role of values in decision-making and learned about academic expectations.

When classes started, the BGeXperience students enrolled in a general education course taught by their introduction group leader. The courses—which are limited to 25 students—cover the same subject material as “regular” sections but place a greater emphasis on learning critical thinking skills and how to apply these skills to values conflicts within the field of study.

“The Smiths’ contribution is an investment in educating our students to become thoughtful citizens,” says BGeXperience Director Donald Nieman, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “Their generous support will enable us to reach all first-year students next year while involving upper-level students as well. We are truly grateful for their help in expanding this program.”

Smith has been an avid supporter of Ribeau’s desire to ensure students graduate from Bowling Green with the critical thinking skills they need to weigh choices based upon the values they hold as individuals.

By pledging $1 million to the initiative, Smith said he, likewise, “is giving life to the ideas that I champion,” and noted, “Central to the new BGeXperience is the idea that we, as educated and responsible citizens, have an obligation to improve society—to give back for the gifts we received.”

“I think there is a tremendous need for universities to incorporate critical thinking about values into the entire college experience,” he continued. “We continue to see the devastating effects of people who operate from…self-interest rather than from a solid foundation of guiding values. BGSU is one of the
few institutions that is addressing values in a comprehensive way to transform and enrich the college experience so students graduate not just with job skills, but with skills to be productive and
responsible citizens.”

Prior to retiring in 1998, Smith founded and served as CEO of Western Bank in Los Angeles. Active in Psi Kappa Psi social fraternity and the Interfraternity Council while a student, he currently is a member of the BGSU Foundation Board and of the University’s Presidents Club.

The Smiths’ contribution is comprised of a charitable remainder trust, a charitable gift annuity and
a cash contribution.