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May 12, 2015 | Leave a Comment
Huron, Ohio – Bowling Green State University Firelands College announced today that William Balzer will be ending his tenure as Dean of the College and will now focus full-time on his responsibilities as the vice president for faculty affairs and strategic initiatives on the Bowling Green campus.
Balzer has served as the dean of BGSU Firelands since 2009; in 2013 he assumed the additional university-wide duties as vice president located on the Bowling Green campus.
With pending BGSU faculty contract negotiations and in recognition of the expanding leadership role on future strategic initiatives for BGSU, Balzer’s full-time services on the Bowling Green campus will be critical according to Rodney Rogers, provost and senior vice president at BGSU.
“Under his leadership, BGSU Firelands has made significant progress, including adding new bachelor and associate degree programs, and planning and launching improvements to the physical plant. Bill has also been successful in driving development efforts at the college raising funds for new scholarships and the capital campaign,” said Rogers.
As the dean of BGSU Firelands and working collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and the community, Balzer has overseen the development of the campus master plan and the current Allied Health & Sciences project, to meet the expanding higher education needs of the community. Community partnerships have also been a focus during his tenure, including development of the RISE business incubator located on the Firelands campus, in partnership with the Erie County Economic Development Corporation and local foundations, the Big Island Water Works Research Station in partnership with the City of Sandusky to study water issues, and ongoing academic partnerships with Sandusky City Schools and EHOVE Career Center to promote college attendance and career success.
Andrew Kurtz, executive associate dean of the college, will serve as interim dean while a search for a permanent replacement is completed.
Kurtz has been a faculty member at BGSU Firelands since 1995 and teaches courses in composition, literature, and popular culture. He was named associate dean for engagement and outreach in 2006 and has held several administrative positions since that date. As the executive associate dean, he is responsible for the daily operations of the College, including all academic issues and student affairs.
Kurtz earned a doctoral degree in literary and cultural theory from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pa., a master’s degree in English from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, and a bachelor’s degree in English from the College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio.
Kurtz and his family have lived in Huron for 19 years.
The transition of leadership at the BGSU Firelands campus will be effective June 22.
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