From BGSU OFFICE OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Bowling Green State University’s 296th commencement will take place in two ceremonies, 7 p.m. Dec. 13 and 10 a.m. Dec. 14. Both ceremonies will be on the Bowling Green campus.
Sheryl Maxfield, Ohio Department of Commerce director, will serve as the Friday night speaker. Laurie Stevenson, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency director, will serve as the Saturday morning speaker.
“We couldn’t be prouder of our alumni who are truly making an impact on people’s lives in our state and beyond,” said BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers. “As BGSU graduates who are modeling what it means to lead a life committed to public service and creating public good, it is an honor to have Sheryl and Laurie come back to campus to address our new graduates.”
Maxfield was appointed director of the Ohio Department of Commerce in January 2019 by Gov. Mike DeWine. She serves as a member of the governor’s Cabinet and is responsible for the overall leadership and direction of the commerce department.
One of the state’s leading regulatory agencies, the Department of Commerce is focused on promoting the growth, success and safety of businesses in real estate, industrial compliance, securities, financial institutions, liquor control, medical marijuana, fire safety and unclaimed funds.
Before her appointment as commerce department director, Maxfield served as chief counsel for DeWine when he was Ohio attorney general. Her responsibilities included oversight of 11 sections of the office that practices in legal areas ranging from antitrust to workers’ compensation. She joined the Ohio attorney general’s office in 1984, and served in various capacities, including assistant chief of the Court of Claims section, chief of the Executive Agencies section and chief of the Health and Human Services section. She previously served as first assistant attorney general.
During her career, Maxfield has been recognized by her colleagues for her professionalism and legal expertise. She received an AGO Professionalism Award in 1997 and in 1999 was the inaugural recipient of the Simon B. Karas Award for Outstanding Legal Contribution to the Attorney General’s Office.
Maxfield earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University in 1981 and a law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law. She is married to lawyer Michael Maxfield.
In January 2019 Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Laurie A. Stevenson as director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A public servant of 30 years, she began her career at Ohio EPA as a field inspector with the Division of Hazardous Waste Management in the agency’s Logan, Ohio, office.
Prior to her appointment, she held the position of deputy director for Business Relations, where she served as a primary contact for regulated entities to help coordinate permitting activities within the agency. She also served as chief of Ohio EPA’s Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance (DEFA). DEFA provides financial and technical assistance to businesses and communities to help achieve compliance with environmental regulations.
A native of Findlay, Ohio, Laurie earned a Bachelor of Science in environmental health from Bowling Green State University in 1988 and a Master of Science in public health from The Ohio State University. She resides in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, Jeff, and three children.
