BGSU trustees approve new degree offerings, celebrate faculty accomplishments and support strategic investment in infrastructure at May meeting

Trustees authorized the creation of a new Bachelor of Arts in Product Design and Innovation to meet student needs and emerging career demands in the creative, technological and entrepreneurial sectors.

Leveraging the University's longstanding strengths and resources in the creative arts, the new degree program will blend classroom learning with hands-on application through a flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum that empowers students to develop skills in strategic foresight and design for social impact in a variety of career fields.

The program's creation comes as BGSU is seeing more students seek interdisciplinary programs that combine art, design, technology, engineering, sciences and entrepreneurship that allow them to prototype, test and launch solutions through applied experiences.

As the number of AI-related jobs continues to grow, the board voted to expand the University's first-of-its-kind AI + X bachelor's degree program with four new specializations in arts, economics, education and manufacturing, further positioning BGSU as a national leader in customizable AI education.

The unique degree program initially launched with disciplines in computer science, history, journalism, mathematics, physics and public relations.

The innovative BGSU undergraduate program combines a core education in AI with a secondary discipline, allowing students to design field-specific solutions to support AI-driven tools and applications. The "X" represents a customizable add-on that allows students to apply AI to their field of choice.

The addition of four new tracks broadens student choice and will further empower graduates with the robust, interdisciplinary skills needed to address complex 21st-century challenges.

Serving the learning community for nearly 100 years, Hayes Hall was selected by trustees to undergo comprehensive renovations to ensure it remains a viable teaching, research and learning space for years to come.

Proposed renovations to Hayes Hall include interior renovations to classrooms, laboratories, departmental offices, student support areas and shared facilities, as well as critical infrastructure upgrades and accessibility improvements, with a majority of funding set to come from the state of Ohio. The planned improvements will preserve the building's historic character while enhancing its ability to support world-class academic programs for students, faculty and staff.

Originally constructed in 1929 to accommodate the University's Early Childhood Education Department, Hayes Hall currently houses the College of Arts and Sciences, Computer Science Department, Information Technology Services, Title IX and State and Federal Compliance and Non-Discrimination offices, TRIO programs, as well as various other academic and student support departments.

Renovations to Hayes Hall are slated for completion in fall 2029, barring any funding changes or work adjustments.

As part of the ongoing IT Network Infrastructure Master Plan 2.0, the BGSU board approved the project's second of five phases, which includes engineering and construction services for the installation of duct banks and fiber connections to select areas near the University's STEM and creative and performing arts facilities.

Phase two also calls for IT improvements at and near Doyt Perry Stadium, Sebo Athletic Center and Slater Family Ice Arena.

Overall, the IT Network Infrastructure Master Plan 2.0 will increase security, improve connectivity and upgrade the overall efficiency of the BGSU physical network infrastructure.

The original investment from the first Master Plan, which began in 2000, currently has components reaching end of life as parts of the system have grown outdated for today's connectivity demands.

Advancing the University's commitment to supporting sustainable practices, the board authorized a strategic partnership between BGSU and the city of Bowling Green to lease roughly 82 acres of vacant campus land for the development of a large-scale, 10-megawatt solar array project to enhance the city's energy grid.

Under the agreement, BGSU will lease undeveloped land located north of the Wood County Regional Airport along I-75 to the city for an initial period of 25 years at $800 per acre, with rent increases every five years. The city will then have the option for two additional five-year renewals after the initial lease period.

The targeted energization date for the ground-based solar array project is slated for June 2027.

As the cutting-edge Engineering and Innovation Center comes online, Toledo area company Actual Reality Technologies is putting its support behind a collaborative space in the new building.

Located on the building's second floor, the Actual Reality Technologies Student Collaboration Space highlights a strong and growing partnership between BGSU and the company that is focused on talent development, applied research and advisory insight, including on the University's work to strengthen Ohio's glass manufacturing industry.

Led by CEO Tom Bush, the company focuses on advancing artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to solve real-world challenges. The company also helps to prepare BGSU students for careers in technology-driven fields through internship opportunities and speaking engagements and provides valuable insight to the University's Computer Science Advisory Board.

As the first named space in the new Engineering and Innovation Center, the Donna M. and Fredrik R. Barnes Study Lounge on the building's first floor serves as a spacious and inviting area where students can gather between classes.

The generous estate gift will further support the University's commitment to preparing students for in-demand careers in Ohio and beyond through hands-on experience.

Graduating from BGSU in 1951 with a degree in business education, Donna Barnes built a successful career at Boeing in Seattle, including becoming the company's first female executive. She held the title of director of industrial relations at the Fortune 500 company and became the first woman elected to the board of directors of the Boeing Employee Credit Union.

As a student, Donna Barnes was active in the Delta Gamma sorority and Mortar Board and remained engaged in her alma mater for years after graduation. She served on several homecoming reunion committees and was recognized as an accomplished graduate of the Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business in 2011.

Fredrik Barnes was a retired engineer whose career included working at Boeing.

Charles and Carol Harper, both 1964 alumni and Falcon Flames, have chosen to honor BGSU President Emeritus Mary Ellen Mazey through the naming of a biology laboratory in Moseley Hall.

Located on the building's third floor, the Mary Ellen Mazey Laboratory recognizes the couple's friendship with the former BGSU president following their return to Bowling Green upon retirement.

Since graduating from BGSU, the Harpers have been longtime supporters of the University, serving on the host committee for Bravo BGSU - a celebration of the arts - and backing The Excellence Fund, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Rex Lowe Biological Sciences Graduate Student Endowed Fund, the Medici Circle Patrons of Art fund, campus beautifications projects, the Falcon Club Scholarship and Success Fund and the Biological Sciences Activities Fund.

Additionally, the Harpers established the Charles and Carol Harper Book Award, and with a newly documented planned principal gift, will establish five endowments in biology, math, music, art and nursing when realized.

In recognition of their philanthropic giving at BGSU, the Harpers are members of The Presidents Club, 1910 Society and Carillon donor recognition societies.

A seasoned executive leader, Laurence Benz '84 was appointed to a three-year term as a new national trustee.

As the founder of multiple companies, including Confluent Health, a premier provider of musculoskeletal health solutions, Benz joined the Board of Dental Care Alliance. In December 2024, he transitioned to the role of executive chairman and currently serves as CEO, contributing his deep expertise in healthcare management, workforce development and organizational strategy to one of the nation's leading dental support organizations.

Additionally, he holds investments in the home health, pharmaceutical and education sectors, along with startups in analytics, health services, Texas Roadhouse restaurants and real estate.

Early in his career, Benz founded and led Kentucky Orthopedic Rehab Team from 1987 to 2007, successfully growing the company into a thriving outpatient physical therapy model before its sale to Select Medical. He also previously served in the U.S. Army Medical Specialist Corps from 1984-89, leaving military service at the rank of Captain where he earned the Meritorious Service Medal.

An accomplished speaker, Benz has presented at conferences and educational programs nationwide, including engagements in physical therapy, MBA and executive education curricula. He has also lent expertise to the American Physical Therapy Association's advisory panel on practice, the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, Foundation for Physical Therapy Research and Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation.

In higher education, Benz has a proven record of civic and academic leadership, including as a member of the University of Louisville Board of Trustees. He currently serves on the boards of the University of Louisville Athletic Association and UofL Health.

As a recognized and awarded leader in business, leadership and physical therapy, he is a Catherine Worthingham Fellow, a member of the Kentucky Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame and the author of the 2019 bestselling book "Called to care: A medical provider's guide to humanizing heal."

In recognition for support of his alma mater, Benz and his wife, Patty, are Presidents Club members and have given generously to BGSU through the Football Enhancement Fund, the Larry and Patty Benz Professorship in Health and Human Services Fund, the Benz Family Allied Health Excellence Scholarship Fund, the College of Health and Human Services, Men's Golf Enhancement Fund and the John Hiltner Gerontology Scholarship.

Benz previously served on the University's Capital Campaign Steering Committee and was awarded the College of Health and Human Services Accomplished Graduate Award. In 2016, he was inducted into the Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Hall of Fame and in 2024, he was inducted into the BGSU Academy of Distinguished Alumni.

Graduating from BGSU in 1984 with bachelor's degrees in biology and gerontology, Benz holds master's degrees from Baylor University, the University of Pennsylvania and Ohio State University, respectively, and a doctorate from the MGH Institute of Health Professions.

Serving as a current national trustee, Thomas Shehab '90 was reappointed to his role for a second three-year term.

With 35 years of experience in various healthcare leadership roles, Shehab currently serves as a managing partner at Arboretum Ventures, a healthcare-focused venture capital firm in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He draws upon his extensive experience as a physician and healthcare executive to identify medical device and health IT companies that improve patient outcomes and decrease costs.

Additionally, Shehab also serves as a board director for Avation Medical, Boomerang Medical, Fifth Eye, Motif Neurotech, SonarMD and Virtual Incision and led Arboretum's investment in nVision Medical, which was acquired by Boston Scientific in 2018. At ArborMetrix, an Arboretum portfolio company, he led the development of the clinical strategy as chief medical officer.

Prior to joining Arboretum in 2014, Shehab practiced medicine for 15 years as a gastroenterologist, serving as chair of medicine at Integrated Health Associates, a multi-specialty group consisting of over 300 providers, and as chief of staff at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital for more than 1,000 physicians. Shehab also holds board member roles for numerous healthcare innovation initiatives, such as the National Venture Capital Association and Cleveland Clinic Medical Device Advisory.

Shehab graduated summa cum laude from BGSU in 1990 and was a member of the football team. He earned an M.D. from Wayne State University, completed his post-graduate medical training at the University of Michigan and earned a Master of Medical Management degree from Carnegie Mellon University. He lives with his family in Dexter, Michigan.