BGSU Firelands to recognize alumni, community leaders and partners during first-ever Diamond Dinner

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HURON, Ohio - Bowling Green State University Firelands will recognize outstanding alumni and community partners and leaders during its first-ever Diamond Dinner at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, at the Cedar Point Center on the Huron campus.

Celebrating individuals and organizations who share a commitment to student success and regional growth, the inaugural Diamond Dinner will bring together alumni, donors and community partners at the BGSU regional campus for an evening of recognition and philanthropy, while honoring those who have made a lasting impact on BGSU Firelands and the region.

This year's Distinguished Alumni Award honorees include Cheryl Krueger, a 1974 BGSU alumna and founder of Cheryl & Co., who built a nationally recognized gourmet dessert and gifting company, and Frida Umuhoza, a BGSU graduate and global advocate for reconciliation and peacebuilding whose work has reached audiences including the United Nations.

The Industry and Business Partner Award will be presented to Larry Bettcher, a transformative business leader and philanthropist whose leadership helped shape Bettcher Industries into a global, employee-owned company, and Firelands Health, a regional healthcare system whose partnership with BGSU Firelands supports workforce development through integrated nursing education and training.

The Community Partner Award will recognize Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio, a key partner in addressing food insecurity for students and the broader community, and the Erie County Community Foundation, which has strengthened educational access and community initiatives through decades of philanthropic leadership.

Two individuals will be honored with the Legacy Faculty and Staff Award: Christopher Mruk, Ph.D., an emeritus professor of psychology known for his impactful teaching and scholarship in self-esteem and positive psychology, and William K. "Bill" Balzer, Ph.D., former dean of BGSU Firelands and longtime university leader whose work has influenced higher education practices nationwide.

"These honorees represent the very best of BGSU Firelands and our region," said Allia Carter, dean of BGSU Firelands. "Their leadership, service and commitment to others have created meaningful opportunities for our students and strengthened the communities we serve. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and the lasting impact they continue to make."

The first-ever Diamond Dinner is part of the 60th anniversary celebration of BGSU Firelands and its educational impact in the greater region and beyond as an extension of Bowling Green State University.

For more information and to register, visit BGSU.edu/firelands/anniversary.