Dean's message: May 2025

Dear Schmidthorst College of Business alumni and friends, as we approach the close of another academic year, I want to take a moment to thank our students, faculty, and staff—to thank you and celebrate the remarkable momentum building within the Schmidthorst College of Business at Bowling Green State University. Your ongoing support and engagement are helping us create a vibrant, student-centered college that prepares future business leaders to thrive and make a difference.

BGSU OneDay and Alumni Engagement

This year's BGSU One Day was a true testament to the power of our community. Nearly 300 students, alums, faculty, and staff collaborated to support student-focused initiatives, resulting in a 59% increase in fundraising over the last year. This unprecedented day of giving was matched by record alumni involvement throughout the year. From classroom visits and mentoring to panel discussions and career coaching, your stories and support are shaping students' aspirations and professional pathways. Your passion continues to fuel our mission and inspire our next generation of leaders, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment to our community.

Experiential Learning

As we continue to differentiate ourselves through our commitment to the student experience, we have focused this year on increasing the opportunities for students to engage in experiential learning.  Thanks to alumni support, we were able to provides students with the oppurunity to attend the Beta Alpha Psi, RIMS, and AMA conferences, a first-generation college student leadership development conference, multiple national case competitions, and an immersive industry experience in insurance and risk management in Chicago over spring break. This spring, we hosted our sales and supply chain case competitions, giving students a platform to strengthen critical thinking and communication skills. In keeping with our commitment to community impact, our students partnered with local businesses to deliver real-world solutions through class consulting projects. These hands-on experiences bring learning to life and ensure our students graduate ready to lead and serve in their communities.

Spring Commencement

Spring Commencement was a powerful reminder of the talent and determination within our student body. On Friday, May 2, we celebrated two doctorates and 82 master's graduates and on Saturday, May 3, 318 undergraduates received their degrees. Among them were 20 students who earned a perfect 4.0 GPA—more than double last year's. Their dedication, resilience, and achievement speak volumes about the academic excellence we strive to foster daily.

College Reconfiguration

With support from the BGSU Board of Trustees, we are excited to move forward with a strategic reconfiguration of the college that reflects our evolving priorities and growing areas of strength. Beginning this summer, the college will be streamlined into four departments:

• Accounting and Finance
• Business Analytics, Economics, and Information Systems
• Management
• Marketing

This new structure will better position us for innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and launching programs that align with workforce needs and student interests.

Looking Ahead

As we prepare for Fall 2025 and our 90th anniversary of the college, I'm proud to share that student demand and satisfaction remain strong. Our undergraduate retention rate has continued at an all-time high of 88%, and first-time freshman commitments are already 565 students, up 14% over the same time last year.  We also continue to see interest in our pre-business pathway, representing another 36 students. Our nationally ranked Online MBA program continues to grow, with Fall enrollment up 8% overall and 23% among newly committed students compared to last year. These trends speak to the lasting value of a BGSU business degree and our unique experience—one grounded in Life Design, community, and career readiness.

These highlights represent just a few of how your generosity, engagement, and belief in our mission continue to transform lives. I am deeply grateful for your partnership, and I look forward to building on this momentum together.

If you'd like to learn more about any of the initiatives shared or explore ways to get involved, I invite you to reach out. Thank you for being such an essential part of our Schmidthorst College of Business community!

Jennifer Percival
Dean, Schmidthorst College of Business