BGSU trustees approve launch of three new degrees, honor faculty accomplishments and recognize supporters at May meeting

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Furthering its commitment to offering in-demand degrees that support workforce and societal needs, Bowling Green State University continues to launch innovative academic programs to support student learning experiences, opportunities and outcomes.

At their second meeting of 2025, the BGSU Board of Trustees approved the creation of three new academic degrees, honored faculty teaching and research and recognized generous supporters.

Launching new degrees and departments

Bachelor of Science in AI + X
During the May 2 meeting, trustees approved the creation of an all-new Bachelor of Science in AI + X, making BGSU the first college or university in the nation to launch a uniquely designed degree to teach students how to apply artificial intelligence to a specific field of study.

Home to Ohio's first computer science program, BGSU will offer its AI + X bachelor's degree with a secondary discipline in one of six fields: computer science, mathematics, physics, history, journalism or public relations. The degree’s unique structure in addition to the option to choose among six fields of study are among its distinguishing features.

“As a longtime innovator in computer and data science education, Bowling Green State University is excited to once again be leading the way in teaching and research with its first-of-its-kind bachelor’s degree in AI + X,” BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers said. “As a public university for the public good, Bowling Green is committed to offering in-demand programs that support student learning experiences and opportunities while meeting the current and future workforce needs of Ohio and beyond. As more employers implement advanced technologies with AI, this program in AI + X will empower students to design their degree around a specific focus to drive innovation in workforce and industry, leading to great careers and great lives.”

As part of the program, students will take courses in their chosen discipline, blending field-specific knowledge with their AI expertise to increase efficiency, design field-specific solutions and support AI-driven tools and applications. Graduates will be qualified for careers as AI developers, data scientists and machine learning engineers and roles within sectors that blend AI with specific domains, including scientific research, social policy, creative industries and business analytics. 

The announcement of the new AI + X degree comes after Meta's $800 million investment to create the Bowling Green Data Center, further demonstrating the need for highly skilled technology professionals to meet regional workforce demands. 

BGSU plans to begin offering the AI + X degree in Fall 2025, pending approval from the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

Master of Science and Software Engineering
With projected job growth in AI and automation in STEM-based careers, the board also supported the University's launching of a new Master of Science and Software Engineering through BGSU Online.

The fully online graduate program taught by the same world-class faculty as in-person classes will comprise of 30 credits, combining theoretical rigor with hands-on learning to prepare students for successful careers in software development, quality assurance and emerging and evolving technologies.

The program's flexible, online format will also expand access to education to students from underrepresented populations nationwide by not requiring prior computer science experience for those looking to expand their knowledge and advance their careers in the growing $142 billion sector.

BGSU plans to begin offering the Master of Science and Software Engineering degree in Fall 2025, pending approval from the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies
The BGSU board authorized the launch of the Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies with an environmental resilience and climate change specialization to address global solutions and responses related to climate and sustainability.

Offered through the School of Earth, Environment and Society, the new degree serves as a reimagining of the current Environmental Policy and Analysis major. Students enrolled in the program will benefit from streamlined teaching and course requirements that promote on-time graduation and career readiness. The program will also emphasize increased collaboration with community and government partners through experimental and mentorship opportunities that drive post-graduate opportunities.

With a projected 7% growth in environmental science-based careers by 2033, students in the new program will be empowered to finish their degree sooner and pursue career fields like climate policy, urban and regional planning, sustainability coordination and environmental communication.

BGSU plans to begin offering the Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies degree in Fall 2025, pending approval from the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

Department of Forensic Science
The board of trustees endorsed the formation of the BGSU Department of Forensic Science, following consistent enrollment growth, student retention and job placement rates nationwide in the University's forensic science bachelor's and master's degree programs.

Offering degrees in forensic science since 2016, Bowling Green's establishment of a standalone department in the discipline will support continued program growth, improve academic coordination among faculty and enhance student experiences and opportunities overall. The move will also bolster academic advising and curriculum planning and provide a more streamlined path to maintaining accreditation.

The BGSU undergraduate forensic science program, which includes specializations in drug analysis, examinations and DNA analysis, is one of only two programs in Ohio accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission. BGSU also has Ohio’s only FEPAC-accredited master’s degree program in forensic science.

BGSU is the only university in Ohio with a professional criminal investigation lab on campus. At BGSU, a partnership with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation provides students with experiential learning opportunities in state-of-the-art labs and realistic scenarios and establishes a crucial connection between academia and industry to ensure students are highly qualified upon entering the workforce.

Honoring faculty accomplishments
Recognizing quality teaching, research and creative activities, the board honored a total of 56 BGSU faculty members with promotion and/or tenure status.

Trustees voted to promote or appoint 17 faculty members to full professor, 17 to associate professor, five to teaching professor, 12 to associate teaching professor and four to associate clinical professor. Additionally, one faculty member was granted tenure among those who were promoted or appointed to professor and associate professor, respectively.

"At BGSU, we are grateful to have world-class faculty that prioritize student learning experiences and contribute to meaningful research and creative activities across various disciplines," said Dr. Glenn Davis, interim provost and senior vice president and vice president of student engagement and success. "Achieving promotion and tenure status signifies a deep dedication to teaching excellence and conducting high-impact research that advances knowledge for students and society."

The board of trustees also granted emeritus status to 37 faculty members who have retired or will retire from BGSU at the end of Summer 2025 term.

Celebrating a BGSU baseball and MLB great
Trustees approved the awarding of an honorary doctorate degree in leadership studies to former BGSU baseball and MLB great Orel Hershiser, who will share his story of perseverance and journey to becoming a major league standout during all three Commencement ceremonies on May 3.

Hershiser's freshman season at BGSU proved to be trying, as he was briefly academically ineligible before turning the course of his academic and baseball careers around. He re-committed to his craft and broke out as a sophomore in 1979, which included a no-hitter against Kent State. The unleashed potential drew the attention of the Dodgers, who drafted him in the 17th round later that year.

Hershiser spent 1979 to 1983 in the minor leagues until the Dodgers promoted him in September of that season. When the team broke Spring Training in 1984, Hershiser had won a spot in the rotation. After 12 seasons with the Dodgers – where he won the National League Cy Young Award and was named a World Series Most Valuable Player – Hershiser helped the Cleveland Indians win the American League pennant in 1995, their first since 1954, and again in 1997. Later in his career, he pitched for the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets before returning to L.A.

In recent years, Hershiser has re-engaged with BGSU, becoming a champion of the University, its baseball program and the many opportunities it offers to students.

Recognizing alumni support of the student experience
Recognizing the generous support of alumnus and national trustee Paul J. Hooker ’75, the board approved naming the Falcon Marching Band’s forthcoming practice/multipurpose field as The Student Green in his honor.

With Hooker's transformational $1.5 million gift, the new state-of-the-art turf field will provide durable and efficient practice, performance, competition and gathering space for the Falcon Marching Band, the University’s 40+ club sports teams and other activities. He also designated an additional $1.5 million to the Falcon baseball team’s facilities, totaling a $3 million gift to elevate the top-ranked BGSU student experience.

“I have happily supported Bowling Green State University in numerous capacities. My main motivation is the students; it’s always about the students,” Hooker said. “My experience at Bowling Green State University was so warm and accepting. That’s what kept me engaged and involved, and what I hope these field facilities will continue to do for current and future students.”

The Student Green will be located west of Perry Field House and will provide the Falcon Marching Band – which grew to a record-breaking 425 members during the 2024-25 academic year – an ample and well-lit space for practice.

The band is one of the nation’s largest college bands and the largest in BGSU history, generating widespread support and enthusiasm across the University and larger community. For the first time this year, the Falcon Marching Band was chosen to perform in the iconic St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland, one of only three college bands selected. 

Hooker earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from BGSU in 1975. He’s the retired owner and chief executive officer of SFERRA Fine Linens, a luxury bedding, bath and home decor importer based in Edison, New Jersey. 

In 1990, Hooker and his Falcon Flame, Margo, founded RallyCap Sports, a nonprofit nationwide sports program for children and young adults with disabilities. The BGSU chapter of RallyCap Sports was the first university chapter and the largest. 

A longtime supporter of BGSU, Hooker has created a scholarship fund for the Alumni Laureate Program and has supported initiatives in the Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business, the College of Education and Human Development, the Campus Gateway Fund, the Falcon Club Scholarship and Success Fund, as well as many athletic enhancement funds.

He made principal gifts to establish the Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, to the Robert W. and Patricia M. Maurer Center to name the Sister Mary Noreen Gray, R.S.M. Student Services Hub and recently to support BGSU baseball's Steller Field Improvement Fund. Hooker is a member of The Presidents Club, 1910 Society, Carillon Society and Leadership Circle donor recognition societies. 

In 2010, he was named a top 100 graduate as part of the University’s Centennial Celebration and was inducted into the Entrepreneurial Leadership Hall of Fame in 2012.

Improving campus facilities and infrastructure
Committed to providing top-tier learning and teaching spaces, the BGSU Board of Trustees supported plans to relocate the Math Emporium from Olscamp Hall to McLeod Hall – home of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics – to enhance educational and collaborative experiences.

With the move of the mathematics learning center, BGSU is slated to renovate the fourth-floor office spaces in McLeod Hall to optimize utilization and create an interactive and technology driven space for math education in a modern, collaborative setting for students and faculty.

Proposed design work is slated for Summer 2025 with construction targeted for completion in Fall 2026. All work will be done with minimal disruption to teaching and learning activities.

Action items of the board
Trustees also voted to approve a $5 increase for parking permits for staff and students on the Bowling Green campus starting in Fall 2025. A similar increase for faculty on the Bowling Green campus will be deferred until the next collective bargaining agreement.

Money collected from permit sales is used to support continued improvements to parking infrastructure, ensuring safe and efficient parking services are provided to the learning community.