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Wolfe Center for the Arts recognized for sustainability, design

One of the most distinctive buildings on BGSU's campus is now one of its greenest. The Wolfe Center for the Arts was awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver status by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute. This is BGSU's second LEED-certified building. The Stroh Center received LEED Gold status earlier this year.

"It is a very significant accomplishment to have two LEED-certified buildings on campus," said Dr. Mary Ellen Mazey, president. "Students have told us that being environmentally conscious is one their top priorities, and I'm pleased that commitment has carried over into our new buildings."

LEED is the nation's preeminent program for design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. The Wolfe Center achieved certification for its optimized performance of heating and air conditioning; controllability of mechanical and lighting systems; vegetated open space adjacent to the building that is equal to the building footprint; use of highly reflective pavement; use of grid-source, renewable energy; use of recycled content products; construction waste management; water-efficient plumbing fixtures; use of low emission paint and carpet, and support of alternative transportation through bike racks and shower and changing facilities for cyclists.

"This was a unique project," said Ryan Miller, BGSU project manager for the Wolfe Center. "That we were able to achieve LEED Silver is a testament to all the hard work put in by our design team as well as by the contractors involved."

The building also recently won a Society of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Ohio 2012 Design Award in the Newly Completed Buildings category. The awards promote projects that have distinguished themselves through attention to high quality design, performance and commitment to AIA's 10 principles of livable communities.

The Wolfe Center opened in January 2012 and was designed by the international architectural firm Snøhetta. The Collaborative, a Toledo-based firm, was the local architect on the project. The facility provides a space for collaborative work and study between all the fine and performing arts as well as exceptional venues in which to see a wide range of performances.

Messer-Kruse book wins award

It's been quite a year for Dr. Tim Messer-Kruse and his book on the trial of the Haymarket Anarchists. Learn about his latest achievement In Brief.

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in the news
Student works with dolphin that inspired movie - WTVG Wolfe Center for the Arts wins green award - WTVG, WNWO

Alumnus gets lead role in true crime show

Matt McVickers (right) with his brother Mitch and another actress on the set of 'Final Witness.'

For one week last fall, alumnus Matt McVickers took on a role he never expected to play - sociopath. McVickers, the assistant manager of the Wood County Regional Airport, was cast as the convicted killer of a 20-year-old Columbus man in the ABC true crime show "Final Witness." His episode aired Aug. 1.

McVickers, who graduated from BGSU in August 2011 with a degree in aviation studies, fell into acting through a family friend who owns a casting company in Cincinnati. A year and a half ago, she asked McVickers and his brother to come work on the movie "Ides of March" as background characters.

"A year later she called and said we did a nice job and that she was casting an ABC show in Columbus and asked if we wanted to try out for it," he said. "After two auditions I ended up getting the role of James Conway and my brother was cast as the victim's cousin."

Shooting ran for a week in September 2011. "It was pretty amazing, but it was a very dark role and it took a toll on me. Then I had to go and manage an airport and it threw me a little bit.

"I play a sociopath so I go from one extreme to the next and I look mad all the time. I also had to channel a lot of aggression, and what you see on screen is me releasing all of that."

McVickers says it was tough knowing he was portraying a real person in a true story.

"My mom put up a post on the 'Final Witness' facebook page and let everyone know that her sons were portraying people on the show and then let the victim's family know we were thinking about them. I hope this show brings some closure to them. It was very real when we were shooting it."

Even with two roles under his belt, McVickers has no plans to move to Hollywood.

"I love my job at my airport and I don't see myself moving away from that."

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