George Mylander Hall debuts

widman@sanduskyregister.comBGSU Firelands has renamed one of its oldest buildings in honor of its most longstanding supporter.After all, without him, the facility likely wouldn't exist.George Mylander, 82, a Bowling Green State University main campus alumnus, was part of a committee tasked with collecting funds to establish BGSU Firelands in the 1960s.Now, generations of students will trek the hallways of George Mylander Hall on the campus he helped build.The honor's impact resonated as he passed by Sandusky High School, his other alma mater, on his birthday this past Sunday, Mylander said. "I thought, 'I wonder how many of my classmates from the Class of 1951 would agree that George Mylander would have a hall on a college campus?'" he joked. "I started to smile. And then, I wanted to cry."Mylander thanked an audience Tuesday for their kind words throughout a day-long celebration at BGSU Firelands.Click HERE for more photos the ceremony.After a morning groundbreaking ceremony, the college hosted a separate ceremony that afternoon to unveil two historic announcements:•West Building is officially renamed George Mylander Hall, in honor of Mylander's $1 million contribution to the college's Allied Health and Sciences Project and his lifetime commitment to BGSU Firelands.•The college launched a capital campaign to collect donations needed to complete the ambitious construction project.To date, a campaign committee has collected more than $3 million from 47 donors.Its ultimate goal is $5 million, or about one-third of the Allied Health and Sciences Project's overall cost of about $15.75 million.Mylander's $1 million contribution is the largest of any donor, and is one of his many gifts to the college since starting the Mylander Foundation in 1987.He has funded more than 150 student scholarships, and also supported construction of the college's Cedar Point Center in 2003."We're honored to have George Mylander Hall on our campus," said Bill Balzer, dean of BGSU Firelands. "Your generosity and commitment to quality education in this community, as well as your support for BGSU Firelands, will be remembered for generations to come."Officials thanked all donors at Tuesday's ceremony, no matter the size of their contributions."For nearly five decades, BGSU Firelands has benefited from the commitment and generosity of its community," said Judith Sommers, the campaign committee's chair. "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."The campaign committee reached the $3 million mark after Mary Ellen Mazey, president of Bowling Green State University main campus, announced a $25,000 contribution during Tuesday's ceremony.In addition to Mylander, Balzer, Sommers and Mazey, speakers at Tuesday's ceremony included Rod Roark, BGSU Firelands senior lecturer and respiratory care technology program director, and Daniel Keller, a member of Bowling Green State University's board of trustees.Allied Health and Sciences Project donorsThe following individuals, organizations and businesses pledged $5,000 or more to the upcoming BGSU Firelands construction project.•George Mylander, of Sandusky — $1 million•Larry and Karen Bettcher, of Vermilion — $500,000•The Frost-Parker Foundation, of Sandusky — $250,000•The Geotrac Foundation, of Norwalk — $150,000•Daniel and Laura Keller, of Huron — $100,000•The Sidney Frohman Foundation, of Sandusky — $100,000•Judith and Charles Sommers, of Norwalk — $75,000•Buckeye CableSystem, of Sandusky — $50,000•The Sam S. Stein and Rose Stein Foundation, of Sandusky — $50,000•The Wightman Wieber Foundation, of Sandusky — $50,000•Conrad and Didi Allen, of Texas — $25,000•Citizens Bank, of Sandusky — $25,000•The Gerard and Patricia Hipp Family Foundation, of Norwalk — $25,000•Mary Ellen Mazey, of Bowling Green — $25,000•William Balzer and Margaret Lockhart, of Perrysburg — $5,100•Audrey Shafer, of Sandusky — $5,000Register photo/ANGELA WILHELM George Mylander speaks during Tuesday's dedication ceremony in Huron.Register photo/ANGELA WILHELM Dani Jones, BGSU Firelands student government student activities liaison, right, and Rachael Cummings, BGSU Firelands student government president, unveil the new sign which will stand outside the former West Building at Tuesday's dedication ceremony.Register photo/ANGELA WILHELM George Mylander, who donated $1 million for the Allied Health and Sciences Project, receives a standing ovation after his speech at Tuesday's dedication ceremony in Huron.Register photo/ANGELA WILHELM From left, George Mylander, Mary Ellen Mazey, BGSU president, and William Balzer, BGSU Firelands dean, pose for a photo Tuesday next to the new West Building sign, renaming the building George Mylander Hall.Register photo/ANGELA WILHELM Mary Ellen Mazey, president of Bowling Green State University, speaks during the dedication of George Mylander Hall Tuesday.Register photo/ANGELA WILHELM A large crowd claps during the dedication of the West Building, which will now be called George Mylander Hall at BGSU Firelands Tuesday.