On the heels of its second largest freshman class in history, Bowling Green State University is
projecting a freshman class of 4,000 students this August.
Associate Vice President for Resources and Economic Development Timothy Smith told BG Chamber of Commerce
Trustees Friday morning that interest in the university remains strong. He also shared numerous positive
news items about students in BGSU’s College of Business Administration.
Smith said applications "are dramatically ahead of last year" and at this point about 60
percent ahead of two years ago. He said nearly 1,100 students have already returned signed room
contracts, about triple the number of a year ago.
"The record freshman class was 3,929 in 2004, and our goal is 4,000 for next fall, which we expect
to reach. All without lowering our academic standards," Smith said.
He said College of Business students have been successful in national and international competitions,
placing first at the National Collegiate Sales Competition; the Educational Society for Resource
Management team placed second in the Supply Chain Management international competition; the Beta Alpha
Psi (accounting honorary) has earned a "superior chapter" rating for the 35th time, a record
second only to one other college in the United States; the student chapter of the American Marketing
Association is ranked in the top four percent in the world; and BGSU business students captured second
place in the International Business Development Case Competition in Hong Kong.
Chamber Treasurer Bruce Stevens reported the local group finished 2010 on a strong note with net income
$18,000 above projections and spending $10,000 under the budget. "That’s a net gain of $28,000 and
that represents a lot of hard work on the part of the board and the staff," he said. "We are
in good financial standing, with good balances. We’re in pretty good shape."
New president Dr. Dave Shilling agreed that 2010 was a positive year for the chamber. "That didn’t
just happen in December. It happened all year long and puts us in a nice position," he said.
The chamber also:
¥ Learned a few spots remain on the "BG-Opoly" board. When those spots are sold, costs will be
covered. A total of 500 games will be produced for sale.
¥ Heard 215 reservations had been made for the Jan. 29 annual meeting and dinner dance. Reservations are
due by Friday.
¥ Heard from BG Interim School Superintendent Ann McVey that there has been some interest in the Central
Administration Building on Grove Street since the school system announced it would move out by spring.
¥ Heard the neighboring former junior high school building should be demolished by mid-year. Municipal
Administrator John Fawcett said the city anticipates maintaining the cleared ground as green space.
There is no timeline for building a new city building, he said.
¥ Heard events planned for BG this year include a Tri-State skating competition in February, an Ohio
gymnastics competition in April and possibly three basketball events.
¥ Learned from President Stan Korducki Wood County Hospital has been "extraordinarily busy"
with patients in recent weeks. The hospital is working with the Wood County Health Department to secure
funds to help cover costs of patients with little or nor health care insurance. He said the program is
"very competitive."
