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BGSU Firelands Celebrates Start of Construction Project with Dedication, Campaign Announcement
September 30, 2014 | Leave a Comment
Huron, Ohio – Bowling Green State University Firelands College celebrated the start of the construction phase of the $15.75 million Allied Health & Sciences Project on Sept. 30 with the dedication of George Mylander Hall and the announcement of a capital campaign to support the project.
Allied Health & Sciences Project
A renovation and new construction initiative, the Allied Health & Sciences Project will fulfill immediate campus and student needs and accommodate the near-term growth of the College. It also represents a commitment on behalf of BGSU to satisfy the growing need for the education of health care professionals in the community.
Nationally and locally, health care is among the fastest growing and most popular occupational sectors. Twelve of the 20 fastest growing occupations nationwide are health care vocations; by 2022, the health care industry is expected to generate 4 million new jobs – more than any other industry.
The Allied Health & Sciences Project will include a 12,700 square foot two-story addition to the current North Building which will provide critically needed laboratory spaces in the natural and physical sciences. It will expand upper division course offerings that support Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) disciplines, and act as a catalyst for new bachelor’s degree programs.
The Project will also include 35,000 square feet of renovations to the North Building and George Mylander Hall. The renovations are essential for expanding health-related offerings for students and increasing the number of well-trained health care professionals in the community.
The newly remodeled LEED-certified facilities will accommodate high-demand degree programs in nursing and allied health careers including radiologic technology, respiratory care, diagnostic medical sonography, and health information management technology, as well as supporting critical courses in the basic sciences.
George Mylander Hall Dedication
During the celebration and in recognition of a $1 million leadership gift to the Allied Health & Sciences Project by George Mylander, BGSU Firelands renamed and dedicated the former West Building which will now be called George Mylander Hall.
The West Building was originally opened in September of 1968 and it represents one of the two buildings which comprised the initial campus of BGSU Firelands. Now George Mylander Hall, the building consists of more than 61,000 square feet and includes classrooms, labs, faculty offices, and student support services. The Allied Health & Sciences Project will provide updated labs and facilities through 35,000 square feet of renovation.
The renaming and dedication ceremony recognize Mylander’s lifetime commitment to BGSU and BGSU Firelands.
Mylander earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration (1958) and a master’s degree in education (1970) from BGSU. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate degree in public service by his alma mater (2003).
Mylander was one of the original members of the Committee on Educational Development which was created in 1965 to organize, advocate, and raise funds for the construction of a college campus in Erie County – now called BGSU Firelands.
Since establishing the Mylander Foundation in 1987 and other philanthropic efforts, Mylander has provided scholarship opportunities to more than 150 BGSU students. He is also a 15-year member of the BGSU Foundation Board and served as chair for two years.
In addition to his leadership gift for the Allied Health & Sciences Building, Mylander provided leadership and financial support for the construction of the Cedar Point Center, a signature building on the BGSU Firelands campus.
A dedicated community servant, Mylander was elected to the Sandusky City Commission in 1979 and served 16 years, six years of which he was ex-officio mayor. Under his leadership two business parks were started and progress was made in the improvement of the Sandusky Bay shoreline.
Campaign Announcement
To support the construction and renovations of the Allied Health & Sciences Project, BGSU Firelands has announced a capital campaign to raise funds for the initiative. In addition to private fund raising, the $15.75 million project is being subsidized through College reserve funds earmarked for construction and State of Ohio capital improvement funds.
Private fundraising began in 2013 with an ultimate goal of securing $5 million. To date, the campaign has received contributions of $2,975,094 or 59% percent of the total goal. Contributions have been received from 47 donors consisting of business, foundations, community members and BGSU Firelands employees.
“We have a very high level of energy as we announce our public campaign,” said the Chair of the Allied Health & Sciences Project Campaign Committee Dr. Judith Sommers.
“A gift to the Allied Health & Sciences Project is an investment in our students, who will be fully prepared to begin or continue meaningful careers in our community; an investment in our employers, whose businesses grow with the help of our well-educated graduates; and an investment in our community, where we ensure that the higher education needs of future generations will receive the same affordable educational opportunities that BGSU Firelands has offered since opening,” said Sommers.
Leading contributions to the Allied Health & Sciences Project include the following:
George Mylander, Sandusky, committed a leadership gift of $1,000,000. An alumnus, Mylander made the initial gift to the campaign and serves on the Allied Health & Sciences Campaign Committee. Mylander is a long-time supporter of BGSU Firelands through gifts benefitting scholarships, theatre programs, capital campaigns, and educational enrichment initiatives.
Larry and Karen Bettcher, Vermilion, committed $500,000. The Bettchers have long supported BGSU Firelands through scholarships, theatre programs, and capital campaigns.
The Frost-Parker Foundation, Sandusky, committed $250,000. The Foundation has long supported BGSU and BGSU Firelands through generous gifts to scholarships, theatre, capital campaigns, and the James H. McBride Arboretum.
The Geotrac Foundation, Norwalk, committed $150,000. The Foundation has also supported educational enrichment initiatives at BGSU Firelands.
Daniel and Laura Keller, Huron, committed $100,000. The Kellers are both BGSU alumni and have long supported the University through scholarships, capital campaigns, and athletics. Daniel is also a member of the BGSU Board of Trustees.
The Sidney Frohman Foundation, Sandusky, committed $100,000. The Foundation has supported BGSU Firelands for more than four decades through gifts for scholarships and theatre programs.
Judith and Charles Sommers, Norwalk, committed $75,000. Judith Sommers is a BGSU alumnae and serves as Chair of the Allied Health & Sciences Campaign Committee. For more than 20 years, Sommers has supported scholarships, capital campaigns, and educational enrichment initiatives at BGSU Firelands.
Buckeye CableSystem, Sandusky, committed $50,000. Buckeye CableSystem has supported scholarships and capital campaigns at BGSU Firelands as well as theatre programs for more than 40 years.
The Sam S. Stein & Rose Stein Foundation, Sandusky, committed $50,000. Support from the Foundation began more than four decades ago and has benefitted scholarships and Caryl Crane Youth Theatre at BGSU Firelands.
The Wightman-Wieber Foundation, Sandusky, committed $50,000. The Foundation has supported capital campaigns, theatre programs, and the library at BGSU Firelands throughout the last decade.
Conrad and Didi Allen, Livingston, Texas, committed $25,000. Both alumni, the Allens have supported scholarships and academic initiatives at BGSU Firelands.
Citizens Bank, Sandusky, committed $25,000. Citizens Bank has supported scholarships, theatre programs, and capital campaigns at BGSU Firelands for more than 20 years.
The Gerard & Patricia Hipp Family Foundation, Norwalk, committed $25,000. The Hipp family has supported capital campaigns and educational enrichment initiatives at BGSU Firelands.
Mary Ellen Mazey, Bowling Green, Ohio, committed $25,000. Dr. Mazey is President of Bowling Green State University and has supported scholarships, athletics and the arts since her arrival in 2011.
William Balzer and Margaret Lockhart, Perrysburg, Ohio, contributed $5,100. Balzer is Dean of BGSU Firelands and has supported scholarships, theatre programs, and academic initiatives at BGSU Firelands throughout the last decade. Lockhart is his wife.
Audrey Shafer, Sandusky, committed $5,000. Shafer, a BGSU Firelands alumnae, has also supported scholarships at BGSU Firelands.
Without the dedicated support of these donors and other private funding sources, advancements such as the Allied Health & Sciences Project would not be possible.
“For nearly five decades, BGSU Firelands has benefited from the commitment and generosity of its community. The message is clear – the community understands that a personal investment in the future of the College is an investment in the future of the community,” said Sommers.
Community members interested in supporting the Allied Health & Sciences Project can contact Stacey Hartley at 419.372.0719 or visit the website at www.firelands.bgsu.edu/expansion.html
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