End-of-semester events: Showcasing student achievements and exploring the power of AI

The Schmidthorst College of Business hosted various end-of-semester events from April 9-10, from insights into AI and the future of how it will shape our professions and teaching to entrepreneurship taking center stage at the 13th annual Hatch event.

Honors and Awards Ceremony

The college's annual Honors and Awards Ceremony took place on April 9. It recognized outstanding student achievements and facilitated meaningful connections between the 2024-2025 scholarship recipients and their generous donors. The event also marked the induction of 14 new members into the prestigious Beta Gamma Sigma honor society and the presentation of the esteemed Karl E. Vogt Outstanding Senior Award to Isabelle Gilmore.

Student speakers Luke Schuler, Kylee Lehman, Jacob Spradlin and Stephanie Miller shared heartfelt testimonials about the transformative impact of scholarship support on their academic pursuits. Stephanie Miller appreciated the university, saying, "Bowling Green State University is full of students with big dreams. I've always wondered how this tiny town attracted such big dreamers, but I've realized that it's because of the support Bowling Green State University provides its students. When you come to BGSU, you can make your dreams a reality."

Keith Grass '78, alumnus and dedicated university supporter, delivered the evening's keynote address. Mr. Grass serves on the University Foundation Board and previously chaired the Schmidthorst College of Business Leadership Council. Grass's establishment of the Grass-Reid Endowed Scholarship and his significant contribution to the Grass-Reid Student Collaboration Space within the Maurer Center exemplify his deep commitment to future Bowling Green State University students.

The annual Honors and Awards Ceremony serves as a testament to the dedication and hard work of BGSU students, as well as the transformative power of philanthropic support. The event celebrates past achievements by bringing together students and donors, cultivating a sense of community and shared commitment to the university's future success.

Empowering the Future: Connecting Students and Faculty to AI Innovation

Bowling Green State University's Mauer Center served as the venue for a dynamic panel discussion on artificial intelligence on April 10, bringing together prominent figures to speak on how their industries are harnessing AI. The event, a collaborative effort spearheaded by the college's Leadership Council task force on AI, under the guidance of board member Mr. John Haggarty '86, senior director at Fortinet, provided students, faculty and staff with invaluable perspectives on the current state and future trajectory of AI in the professional sphere.

The distinguished panel featured a wealth of expertise, including BGSU alumnus Michael Carrell '95, who represents Nationwide Financial; Pam Heminger of Caterpillar Inc.; Tom Bush, founder of EmpoweredAI and Actual Reality Technologies; and Dr. Shanda Gore of Mays & Associates LTD, also a proud BGSU alumna. Over 100 students attended the session, gaining firsthand knowledge about the increasing integration of AI across various sectors.

Panelists offered insights into the evolving work landscape, emphasizing the need for adaptability and a nuanced understanding of AI's capabilities. Mr. Carrell detailed Nationwide's strategic adoption of AI, highlighting the company's commitment to ethical and responsible implementation while leveraging the combined strengths of AI technologies and their workforce.

The event emphasized the college's proactive commitment to equipping students with the knowledge and connections necessary to navigate the future of business. By facilitating direct engagement with leading industry professionals, the college continues to provide unparalleled learning opportunities in critical and rapidly advancing fields like artificial intelligence. The insights shared by the panelists, particularly the contributions of BGSU alumni, served as a powerful testament to the university's impact on shaping future leaders and innovators.  

The Hatch

The Bowen-Thompson Student Union at Bowling Green State University buzzed with entrepreneurial energy on April 11th as hundreds of students and staff gathered for The Hatch, an annual event showcasing the innovative startup ventures developed by BGSU students. The culmination of a semester-long course focused on the intricacies of launching a business, The Hatch provided a platform for students, known as "Hatchlings," to pitch their ideas.

The event commenced with a dynamic networking session and poster presentation, allowing attendees to explore each student's concept and cast their votes for the five most compelling ideas. These top contenders then took the stage to share a recording of their business pitch and answer questions from the audience, providing deeper insights into their entrepreneurial endeavors. Ultimately, the audience played a pivotal role in determining the winners across several categories.

This year's winners:  

• Best Brand Story - Mind. Body. Soul. - Allison Dubeansk 
• Best Overall Pitch - Blueprint Bazaar - Geizi Amon & HiveNexus - Harrison Jacob 
• Community Impact - Nocturnal Nurture - Mya Balderson 
• People's Choice - Campus Cuts - Michael DeShetler 
• Viral Buzz – Beam Coffee Bar - Kailee Ransom 

The BGSU Entrepreneurial Leadership award added a new dimension to this year's event. This initiative allowed student organizations to present their entrepreneurial projects and ideas developed over the past year. Students from leadership organizations and clubs shared their ventures with the audience. This year's winners were the BGSU Society for Human Resource Management and the Falcon Entrepreneurial Leadership Network.

The Hatch's success was made possible through the generous support of several key sponsors, including the Wood County Economic Development Commission, Coca-Cola, the Earnest and Dorothy Hamilton Endowed Professors, the Ron and Sue Whitehouse Entrepreneurial Fund, and the Ryan Family Foundation Entrepreneurial Fund.

Watch a recording of this year's Hatch.