Rogers Report

Bowling Green State University is located in one of America's best college towns! To prepare for Small Business Saturday, I explored downtown BG and some of its iconic locations frequented by our students, alumni and friends. From cookies, breadsticks, coffee, cheesesteaks and a store that has everything, these stops showcase what makes a great college town. But, there is more to it. It's about a community coming together. It's about small businesses driving the economic vitality of our city. I'll be shopping on Small Business Saturday and I hope you do too!

This month, we launched the BGSU Magazine online. This article is one of my favorites. With more than 186,000 BGSU alumni in Ohio and throughout the world, we have a global reach, and as a public university, we especially recognize our impact in Ohio. Our BGSU alumni accomplish extraordinary feats. They live meaningful and productive lives, do well in their careers and do good in their communities. As graduates of a public university, there is also that special responsibility to make a difference in our society. Recently three of our alumni were appointed by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to serve in his Cabinet. Chancellor Randy Gardner ’81, ’87, Ohio Department of Higher Education; Director Sheryl Maxfield ’81, Ohio Department of Commerce; and Director Laurie Stevenson ’88, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, all lead critical Ohio agencies that create public good. Their selfless commitment to public service at some of the highest levels, represents what we do at Bowling Green State University.

50 years ago, a group of innovative BGSU faculty took a chance. They dared to conceptualize new academic disciplines and created computer science and industrial-organizational psychology programs. Since then, our students and faculty created, applied and shared new knowledge. I believe these BGSU programs embody our innovative spirit. Today, I-O psychology is ranked No. 1 in Ohio by U.S. News and World Report and tied for second in the nation, and our computer science graduates work at some of the best technology companies in the industry. As we recognize their 50th anniversaries, we are continuing our work to position these programs to support our students for successful careers.

BGSU Women's Soccer had another successful year! The team is back-to-back MAC regular season and tournament champions! Head Coach Matt Fannon was named MAC Coach of the Year for the third consecutive season, and Chelsee Washington and Maureen Kennedy were named MAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year. Beyond the awards, this team had the grit to fight all season while still maintaining an impressive 3.6 grade point average. Sandy and I are big soccer fans and we tried to catch as many games as possible. Though we lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, I am so proud of the coaching staff and student-athletes for how well they represent BGSU. Ay Ziggy Zoomba!

Bowling Green State University has been ranked one of the top universities in the United States and No. 1 in Ohio for veterans by the Military Times in its Best for Vets: Colleges 2020 rankings. As a public university for the public good, we have a special responsibility to support each of our veterans and active-duty military, both inside and outside the classroom. We continue our work to ensure they can be successful after their commitments in our armed forces.