Honoring the life and legacy of Carol M. Schmidthorst

Honoring the legacy of Carol M. Schmidthorst, whose generosity left a lasting impact on its students and Schmidthorst College of Business.

The Schmidthorst College of Business community joins Bowling Green State University in mourning the passing of Carol M. Schmidthorst, whose extraordinary generosity, compassion, and commitment to family and community left a lasting impact on BGSU and beyond.

Alongside her husband, Allen W. Schmidthorst, Carol helped shape the future of Bowling Green State University through visionary philanthropy and an unwavering belief in the power of education to transform lives. In 2020, Al and Carol established the Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business through the largest academic gift in university history — a transformational investment that continues to expand opportunities for students and strengthen the future of business education at BGSU.

Carol and Al built their lives on the values of hard work, humility, and a deep commitment to giving back. Their generosity reached far beyond the College of Business, supporting athletics, scholarships, public broadcasting, the arts, and countless initiatives that enrich both the university and the broader community.

Today, Carol’s legacy lives on through the students whose futures are brighter because of her generosity and through the business leaders who will carry forward the values she exemplified: compassion, integrity, resilience, and service to others.

“As dean of the Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business, I see every day the impact that Carol and Al’s vision has on our students and community,” said Dean Jennifer Percival. “Carol’s kindness and belief in others created opportunities that will continue to transform lives for generations. We are profoundly grateful for her life, her generosity, and the legacy she leaves behind.”

On behalf of the entire Schmidthorst College of Business community, we extend our deepest condolences to Al and the Schmidthorst family. Carol will be remembered with enduring gratitude, admiration, and respect.