Rogers Report

One of my favorite things to do each month is bring the Rogers Report directly to you to highlight some of the best things about BGSU. Because COVID-19 has rocked our communities, and with so much going on, we are foregoing our traditional video, and instead, sharing important updates on how our University is responding to this global pandemic. We remain committed to our students, faculty and staff, making decisions in their best interests, from offering flexible grading options and prorated refunds for unused housing, dining and parking plans to remote work options for the majority of our staff. In just weeks, we have made significant adjustments to ensure each student is supported in our virtual learning community, and I want to thank our alumni and friends for their support of more than $92,000 to our Student Emergency Fund to aid those with basic needs such as rent, utilities or food. No one could have imagined the impact COVID-19 would have on our semester just weeks ago. The truth is, like you, we are still working to understand what is next. It has been a day-by-day process, but our commitment to our students remains at the forefront. We are in this together, and you remain in our thoughts.

In these challenging and difficult times, we are coming together to help one another and support the communities BGSU serves. Our University recently donated a large supply of personal protective equipment, and we opened our doors to the American Red Cross to host blood drives. I am struck by how even in the toughest of times, we are coming together, which is exactly what we do as a public university for the public good. While this global pandemic has taught us much, it has also revealed that our communities, economy and way of life is connected, depending on the fundamental strength of the public good – people helping people – supporting, encouraging and caring for one another.

Student Quinn Eberhard recently received the distinguished Goldwater Scholarship, recognizing her strong academic and research activity. A chemistry major and student in the Honors College, Quinn is focusing on the development of a research-centered algorithm. By using the algorithm, rather than collecting and manually analyzing data for each application, scientists can shorten their research time by weeks or even months. Her work is critically needed; she studies protein sequences and RNA research, potentially affecting research on cancer and the corona family of viruses – including COVID-19. With the faculty and academic mentorship of Dean Morgan-Russell and Drs. Leontis and Zirbel, as a Goldwater Scholar, she will help ensure that this next generation's scientific talent is leading the way for a more vibrant and robust future. We are so proud of Quinn's accomplishments, and could not ask for a better representative of the University on the national stage. Congratulations, Quinn!

For the 10th year in a row, a pair of Peregrine Falcons have nested in the clock tower of the Wood County Courthouse! You can watch their activity through our live Falcon Cam, a partnership between BGGSU and the Wood County Commissioners. As you know, the Peregrine Falcon is the official mascot of Bowling Green State University, and each year, this remains one of our most popular stories to share. Even in these moments of uncertainty, take a moment to watch the Falcon Cam – it will put a smile on your face.

With Ohio's stay-at-home order extended to May 1 and our online learning period in effect to the end of the semester, our students launched the #BGSUVirtualBlog to share their advice, tips and insights on managing their BGSU experience while home. The first two posts are up, and I enjoyed reading student Meredith Troxel's tips to stay organized and her ideas to relax and stay engaged. I am amazed by how our students are committed to helping one another navigate these changes. Ay Ziggy Zoomba!