The Rogers Report February 2019

It's summer in Bowling Green! Our last Rogers Report was a special edition recognizing the transformational support of Bob '55 and Ellen '54 Thompson and the naming of the Bowen-Thompson Quadrangle – a memorable finish to spring semester. The quadrangle is looking especially beautiful, and will be the perfect setting when we welcome our graduates and their families for our August commencement. Things are quieter while students are taking summer classes, studying abroad, participating in an internship or co-op, or back home with their families making the most of their summers. I look forward to having them back on campus in August.

Enjoy some of my favorite stories and highlights from this past month!

Regards,

Rodney K. Rogers, Ph.D. '81
President
Bowling Green State University

Taking the reins with Campus Operations

I recently got a behind-the-scenes look at what our operations staff is up to while our students are away during the summer months. To keep our campus beautiful and safe, the staff is hard at work on various projects preparing for the fall semester. They even trusted me to help with tasks from lawn care to buffing the floors! We are fortunate to have this hardworking team who ensure our snowy sidewalks are clear in the winter and maintain the quality of our facilities throughout the year.

Watch as I explore how our University runs →

2,493 graduates ready to create public good

At May commencement, we recognized the graduates of the Class of 2019. With a BGSU degree in hand, they leave here ready to do well, but also to do good. Commencement is one of my favorite times of the year. It is the occasion that celebrates the hard work of our learning community. The thousands of family members and friends who turned out showed the support our graduates have as they enter their first job or continue on to graduate school. I have no doubt that our newest alumni are ready to change lives for the world.

View highlights from May commencement →

BGSU receives grant to help students from foster care realize higher education dreams

BGSU is one of just three Ohio universities to be awarded grant funding designed to help students from the foster care system pursue higher education. The Short-Term Certificate Foster Youth Grant equally divides a statewide total of $385,000 among three universities and 16 community colleges. A priority of Governor DeWine and Chancellor Gardner, this support ensures these students have access to valuable education so they can earn a degree that enables them to achieve their dreams.

Learn about our commitment to supporting students from foster care→

Aliyah Gustafson concludes BGSU career as a champion

Aliyah Gustafson '17, '19 has been instrumental in making BGSU one of the nation's top places to compete in track and field. Graduating again in May, now a two-time alumna, Aliyah broke school records repeatedly and qualified at multiple outdoor and indoor national championships as our team's captain for four years. Aliyah's story, one of grit and perseverance, represents the larger story of our students. She attended BGSU because of scholarship support from Falcon Club donors and she leaves here, a first-team All-American, ready to live a meaningful and productive life.

Aliyah's impressive student-athlete experience →

Davis honored in Washington, D.C., for research on harmful algal blooms

Dr. Timothy Davis, an associate professor of biological sciences, received the Gears of Government President's Award, the highest level of distinction within the program, for significantly advancing rapid and remote detection of harmful algal bloom toxins. Tim is a key member of the research team for our Great Lakes Center for Fresh Waters and Human Health. BGSU faculty continue to lead research efforts that impact communities in our own backyard and across the nation, furthering our obligation as a public university to create public good. Tim is focusing on preserving the quality of and access to our fresh waters, and his research helps drive the vitality of our world.

More about Dr. Tim Davis' award-winning research→