BGSU Welcome

Former Professor, BG mayor is Education's Alum of Year

Bruce Bellard, University professor emeritus and former mayor of Bowling Green, has been named the 1998 Alum of the Year by the College of Education and Human Development.

Bellard will be honored at a public reception from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 28 in the Alumni Room of the Student Union.

Created in 1980, the Alum of the Year award recognizes alumni of the College of Education and Human Development who have displayed outstanding professional performance or public service. The award includes a handcrafted plaque and a $500 named scholarship, given to an undergraduate pursuing a major in physical education-the field completed by Bellard as a student at BGSU.

Originally from Bellevue, Bellard earned his bachelor's and master's degrees at BGSU in 1948 and 1954, respectively, and pursued doctoral studies at the University of Indiana. He joined the BGSU faculty in 1948, serving as both a teacher and a coach. After retiring from full-time teaching in 1981, he continued to teach during summer sessions until 1986. Since then, he has devoted himself to community service.

According to Les Sternberg, dean of the College of Education and Human Development, Bellard was chosen from an unusually large pool of nominees this year.

"Each candidate was an outstanding representative of our college and that made the selection process difficult," he said. "But Bruce definitely stands out in terms of contributions made during his professional career and the service he continues to give to his community."

During his tenure at the University, Bellard coached five different sports, but is perhaps best known for his involvement with the wrestling program. As BGSU's first full-time wrestling coach, he was primarily responsible for the development of the program. The team recorded 20 winning seasons and three Mid-American Conference championships during his 24 years as head coach.

In addition to the wrestling program, Bellard also developed Ohio's first driver and pedestrian safety curriculum and is credited with having trained more driver education teachers than any other individual in the state of Ohio.

"He is far and away the most significant person in driver's education and teacher training in this state," said Sam Cooper, BGSU's longtime swim coach and also Bellard's high school teacher and coach.

Bellard is well-known for his service to the Bowling Green community and its volunteer organizations. He was a six-term city councilman and served as president of council from 1973-82. He then served two terms as mayor of Bowling Green, from 1983-88.

Bellard has received numerous awards and citations, including induction into the BGSU Athletic Hall of Fame and the Ohio Wrestling Hall of Fame. In 1981, he was named Bowling Green's "Outstanding Male Citizen," as well as Omicron Delta Kappa's "BGSU Faculty Member of the Year." In 1997, he was the recipient of the Wood County Democratic Party's "Good Citizen Award."

The reception honoring Bellard is free. Reservations are appreciated and can be made by contacting Marilyn Braatz at 2-7405.