Jun
30
BGSU Firelands Appoints Department Chairs
June 30, 2016 | Press Release | Leave a Comment
Huron, Ohio – Bowling Green State University Firelands College has announced the appointment of two academic department chairs for four year terms from 2016 – 2020.
Jolene Buehrer, Milan, has been appointed to the position of chair of the humanities department. Buehrer is a senior lecturer in humanities and is currently serving as the interim chair of the humanities department. She has been employed at BGSU Firelands since 2000 starting as an adjunct faculty member and becoming full-time faculty in 2003. Buehrer earned her doctoral degree in American literature from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, and previously taught at Mount Mary College, Yankton, S.D. She also has more than 15 years of experience in public relations at Sacred Heart Health Services, Yankton.
Christine Genovese, Norwalk, has been appointed to the position of chair of the natural and social sciences department. Genovese is an associate professor of biology and has been employed as a full-time faculty member at BGSU Firelands since 1998. Her previous experience included 15 years of teaching and research at institutions including John Hopkins University, Baltimore, and York College, Jamaica, N. Y. Genovese earned her doctoral degree in microbiology from the University of Pittsburgh, Pa.
Both terms will become effective on August 10, 2016.
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Jun
3
Huron, Ohio – Bowling Green State University’s Firelands College has announced its Dean’s List for the 2016 spring semester. To be named to the Dean’s List, students must have carried 12 or more graded hours during the semester with a grade point average of 3.5 or above.
Bellevue
Dillon Berkey
Robert Biehl
Shelbie Close
Casie Hinojosa
Salina Hughes
Shelby Janka
Brian Reinhart
Laiken Tester
Berlin Heights
Brandon Lowder
Patrick Walker
Anna Weilnau
Castalia
Jade Bolinger
Mason Dye
Charity Hupp
Chelsea Legg
Tobias Miller
James Stewart
Allyson Tuttle
Cleveland
Victoria Hahn
Collins
Kierston Rospert
Tamara Webb
Fremont
Jennifer Carter
Brianna Frost
Green Springs
Clara Sewell
Huron
Beth Beck
Ian Byington
Sarah Donahue
Cali Haas
Jonathan Harris
Alisia Kelley
Kathryn Kreider
Bridget Moriarty
Aubrey Notestine
Rachel O’Leary
Jenna Witter
Lagrange
Denise Nagle
Lakeside Marblehead
Rebecca Cover
Lorraine Neer
Milan
Katelyn Alexander
Whitney Baughman
Jaime Danda
Luke Frankboner
Tanner Whitacre
Carissa Wright
Monroeville
Jessie Fitch
Carson Sparks
Kerry Steward
North Fairfield
Morgan Bradberry
Josey Brown
New London
Alexandria Hovatter
Norwalk
Kelstin Barna
Jamie Barron
Shelbi Brown
Larry Case
Cody Gregory
Madeline Hoag
Almira Hulin
Sydney Kramer
Joseph Ludewig
Robin Miller
Audrey Nutter
Katherine Parker
Wilma Polin
Vanessa Radcliffe
Elizabeth Raftery
Daniel Rockwell
Jason Shenefield
Allison Stang
Perrysburg
Kari Odegaard
Port Clinton
Alyssa Biro
Elizabeth Royster
Abigail Spitler
Patrick Tupa
Sandusky
Eric Adkins
Corey Baer
Joshua Bahnsen
Sheila Baum
Karalee Bosworth
Zachary Braun
Tyler Brownell
Jennifer Burke
Shandra Coder
Sara Cordle
Ryan Ebert
Heather Eckert
Taylor Ferrell
Jillian Gosser
Christopher Graham
David Grimes
Ryan Grondin
Evan Hachey
Robert Herrin
Myroslava Hiser
Taylor Hunt
Alyssa Lombardy
Justin McClure
Anna Messenger
Hinesh Patel
Michael Piacente
Ann Redmon
James Reese
Rosalyn Riha
Amanda Russell
Danielle Schwerer
Anuj Shah
Jessica Smorul
Alyssa Tullio
Miriam Wheeler
Autumn White
Allison Witter
Strongsville
Chad Butler
Twinsburg
Lauren Flaherty
Vermilion
Charlotte Besida
Angela Hershberger
Helena Sequerra Shick
Charles Shick
Wakeman
Adelyn Sherrard
Wellington
Kaylee Logar
Willard
Derek Smith
For additional information contact Dean Schnurr, director of marketing and community relations, at 419.372.0613 or via e-mail at dschnur@bgsu.edu.
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May
6
BGSU Firelands 31st Commencement Ceremonies
May 6, 2016 | Press Release | Leave a Comment
Huron, Ohio – On Saturday, May 7, Bowling Green State University Firelands College will conduct the 31st Commencement Ceremonies featuring keynote speaker Craig Rathbun. BGSU Firelands will recognize 259 students who earned degrees at the campus during the 2015-2016 academic year.
“This is the culmination of a great deal of hard work and sacrifice for our students who will be graduating this evening, and we are proud that they have achieved their goals,” said BGSU Firelands Dean Andy Kurtz.
The graduating class includes 212 associate degree candidates and 47 bachelor’s degree candidates. Degree candidates range in age from 16 to 61 and they represent many area of Ohio. Seventy-one candidates graduated with academic honors, including five students with perfect 4.0 grade point averages.
Rathbun, a BGSU graduate and local entrepreneur, will address the students as they prepare to graduate.
“We are delighted to have Mr. Rathbun as the commencement speaker. He is an outstanding role model for the graduates and an excellent example of the level of success which can be achieved with an education from BGSU,” said Kurtz.
Rathbun earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from BGSU in 1983. After graduating, he was employed by Ernst & Whinney’s (Ernst & Young) Management Consulting Group, specializing in production and operations. He later joined his family’s business, Venture Packaging, as operations manager.
The lessons learned at a closely-held corporation served as a sound basis for two other future companies. In 1999, as a partner in Encore Plastics, Rathbun, along with his siblings and a friend, grew a start-up company from seven employees to more than 300 within three manufacturing facilities. Encore manufactures paint sundry products for national retailers such as Lowe’s, Menards, Sherwin-Williams, and Walmart.
In 2009, the partners financed a renewable energy company called SUREnergy. The goal was to find alternative ways to reduce Encore Plastics’ carbon footprint. Today, SUREnergy has evolved into providing grant writing, sourcing, installation, maintenance, and consulting services to several national and international companies.
Rathbun is currently a member of the BGSU Firelands Alumni Advisory Board and in 2016 received a College Alumni Award from BGSU.
Rathbun is part of a family with proud Falcon ties. His father, Willard, and two siblings, Tim and Jodi, all attended BGSU. His wife and two of his children also attended BGSU.
BGSU Firelands’ 31st Commencement Ceremonies will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, in the Cedar Point Center on the Huron campus. Tickets are required for attendance.
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Apr
29
College Relations Staff, Nagarajan and Ellington Honored at BGSU Firelands Ceremony
April 29, 2016 | Press Release | Leave a Comment
Several awards were recently presented at the 47th Annual Bowling Green State University Firelands College Recognition Program held Friday, April 29, in the Cedar Point Center.
The BGSU Firelands college relations staff of Patti Crawford, Huron, Stacey Hartley, Huron, Dean Schnurr, Sandusky, and Jaymee Skelly, Lorain, received the Dean’s Special Recognition Award; instructor of chemistry Subhalakshmi Nagarajan, Sheffield Village, received the Distinguished Creative Scholar Award; and student Patricia Ellington, Sandusky, received the Links to Progress Award.
Dean’s Special Recognition Award
The Dean’s Special Recognition Award may be given annually to individual faculty members, administrators, classified staff, or members of collaborative teams who have made exceptionally meritorious contributions in support of the mission of BGSU Firelands. Awards may be used to recognize career achievements as well as recent accomplishments.
The college relations staff was recognized for their recent efforts in implementing the 50th Anniversary celebration of the College. The year-long celebration included parades, several large-scale events, a commemorative video and book, an awards ceremony, a basketball tournament, a scholarship drive, and promotion of the semicentennial.
“Our 50th Anniversary celebration was an unmitigated success and it offered a complete year of highlights. The contributions of these staff members provided memorable events, thoughtful tributes, and much entertainment,” said BGSU Firelands Dean Andy Kurtz. “Their efforts placed the College in a favorable light and allowed us to collectively honor and celebrate our rich history,” he added.
Crawford is the alumni affairs & development officer and started at the College in 2015. Hartley is the senior director of development and started at BGSU Firelands in 2010. Schnurr is the director of marketing and community relations and has been with the BGSU Firelands since 2011. Skelly is the secretary in the marketing and community relations office and has been with the College since 2002.
Distinguished Creative Scholar Award
The Distinguished Creative Scholar Award may be given annually to any full-time BGSU Firelands faculty member (in his/her third year or beyond) for outstanding scholarly or creative accomplishments during the previous three years.
Subhalakshmi Nagarajan began her employment with BGSU Firelands in 2012 and has amassed an impressive body of work.
“Dr. Nagarajan has been one of the most productive faculty members on campus and her track record of research and publications is simply outstanding,” said her nominator.
During her three years at Firelands, Nagarajan has submitted three successful grant proposals (including a Materials Research Society Foundation grant for $10,000 to foster environmental consciousness in the classroom through sustainability), published a book chapter, and presented at both regional and national conferences.
In 2015, she also had a United States Patent approved in conjunction with the University of Massachusetts for a flame-retardant derivative.
Nagarajan is also active in pursuing research opportunities both on and off campus and has mentored the undergraduate research of two BGSU students.
Nagarajan earned a doctorate degree in chemistry from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, a master’s degree in chemistry from Central University, Pondicherry, Indian, and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Ethiraj College, Madras, India.
Links to Progress Award
The Links to Progress Award is presented to the person or organization of the campus community that has been a significant link in the chain of growth of BGSU Firelands. This person or organization must have been instrumental in linking the College to the broader human community.
Ellington is a third-year student working toward a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies at BGSU Firelands. She is being recognized for her leadership skills and for her successful efforts to engage students in social discourse and philanthropy.
Serving as the president for the inaugural year of Students for Change, an organization developed by BGSU Firelands’ President’s Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusion, Ellington utilized her role to effect change within the College.
Ellington developed the “Soup and Substance” series for students and employees which created an environment for open and honest dialogue on social issues within the College and the community. She also organized a voter registration drive.
In addition, under Ellington’s leadership, Students for Change implemented a bottled water drive which was successful in collecting a flat bed and a half full of fresh drinking water. The organization then transported the water to Flint, Mich., during the city’s crisis early this year.
Ellington is also active in the community. She is involved with Serving Our Seniors and Women’s Ministry Mentoring with the Church of God.
“Mrs. Pat’s contributions to the College and community demonstrate the positive influence of our students. She is a role model to which others should strive,” said her nominator.
Ellington also earned an associate of science degree in 2015 from BGSU Firelands.
For additional information or photos, contact Dean Schnurr, director of marketing and community relations, at 419.372.0613 or via e-mail at dschnur@bgsu.edu
Apr
29
Skelly Named Distinguished Classified Staff at BGSU Firelands
April 29, 2016 | Press Release | Leave a Comment
Bowling Green State University Firelands College honored one of its best at the 47th Annual Recognition Program held Friday, April 29, in the Cedar Point Center. Jaymee Skelly, Lorain, a secretary in college relations at BGSU Firelands, was honored as the 2016 Distinguished Classified Staff member.
The award is one of the highest honors the College can bestow as the recipients of the Distinguished Classified Staff Award are nominated by colleagues and students and selected by a committee of their peers.
“Jaymee’s performance and contributions go above and beyond the norm and what is expected of her position. I cannot begin to count the number of faculty and staff members who consider Jaymee the first point of contact for ALL issues related to BGSU Firelands,” said one of her nominators.
Skelly has been employed at BGSU Firelands since 2002 and is currently the administrative assistant in marketing and community relations but she also provides support to the office of development and the office of alumni relations.
“She is often the ‘voice’ of three important offices, one of which is our main connection with people who donate or may donate to the College. Thus, her pleasant attitude, ready smile, and conscientiousness serve the entire college,” said another nominator.
Skelly’s responsibilities include the planning and implementation of large-scale events including commencement, scholarship fundraisers, donor recognition events, and more. She was also a member of the 50th Anniversary Committee which was responsible for a year-long celebration and activities related to the College’s milestone. For their outstanding efforts, committee members received the 2016 Dean’s Special Recognition Award.
She is the past recipient of the BGSU Outstanding Service Award and she was selected to participate in the 2013 BGSU Leadership Institute and was subsequently invited to be a part of the planning committee for future Leadership classes.
“Her notable accomplishments no longer surprise me because it is just expected that she will rise to, and conquer, any challenge. I cannot think of anyone on this campus more deserving of a Distinguished Award more than Jaymee,” said a nominator.
Skelly earned an associate of arts, a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies, and a master’s degree in business administration, all from BGSU.
Criteria for the Distinguished Classified Staff Award includes performance above and beyond what is required by the position, providing services to the campus community and beyond which promote growth and harmony, and/or demonstrated resourcefulness in the work place that contributed to the efficiency and effectiveness of the University.
In addition, the candidate must have been employed at BGSU Firelands for multiple years with the length being contingent on employment status (full-time, part-time, retired) and candidates must not have received the award within the past three years.
For additional information or photos, contact Dean Schnurr, director of marketing and community relations, at 419.372.0613 or via e-mail at dschnur@bgsu.edu