A swell 60th for BGSU Firelands

HURON TWP. — Bowling Green State University's past and present came together to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Firelands campus in Huron. The university invited current students, alumni, professors, past faculty and community partners to a Diamond Dinner, a night to honor the individuals and organizations that shape and strengthen the region, according to the invitation. "It's really a celebration of our success here," BGSU Firelands Dean Allia Carter said. "We were founded in 1965 and have been a part of the community." Decades of success Carter herself has decades of experience in education and is a 2012 graduate of BGSU. The institutions she has worked for, such as BGSU Firelands, have focused on access — anyone who wants an education can afford it. "To be part of BGSU Firelands, it makes me proud," Carter said. This year is a milestone for several areas of BGSU, with its main campus residing in Bowling Green. To name a few: • School mascot Freddie Falcon is 75. • The school of business hit its 90th anniversary. • And the main campus, in Bowling Green, was founded in 1910, making this its 115th year of operation. "For Firelands to be at 60 tells you how we are positioned among the other colleges," Carter said. "We've been a part of Bowling Green for a very long time, and I think that means stability and it creates pride." BGSU Firelands has had an impact on the community over its six decades. Through the years, many changes have been made, but some aspects have remained the same. "I think what stays the same is the quality of how we care about those who are part of our community, how we put education first, and how we can be responsive to the region," Carter said. "That's who we are, what we do." Changes in campus life have resulted from COVID, according to Carter. She said the university saw a significant growth in online learning. "This is a campus really anchored on the people being together, so that has been a significant shift," Carter said. "We've been trying to do, even in these celebrations, is figure out how to bring people in the community back." Awarding the community Several awards were distributed at the event to not only individuals who impacted the campus, but also the community. There was a nomination process to decide who would be awarded as an alumni, industry and business partner, community partner and a legacy faculty and staff member. Testimonials and bios of individuals were submitted to a committee stating why they deserved recognition. The winners were: • Distinguished Alumni Award: Cheryl Krueger and Frida Umuhoza • Industry & Business Partner Award: Larry Bettcher and Firelands Health • Community Partner Award: Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio and Erie County Community Foundation, Elizabeth P. Maiden • Legacy Faculty & Staff Award: Christopher Mruk and William K. "Bill" Balzer