By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
BGSU announced this morning the single largest academic gift in the university’s nearly 110-year history and the first named college at BGSU.
Entrepreneurs Allen and Carol Schmidthorst donated $15 million to the university, establishing the Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business.
BGSU President Rodney Rogers referred to the donation as “transformational” for the university.
“It is an absolute honor to name Bowling Green State University’s business college for Al and Carol Schmidthorst in recognition of their extraordinary impact,” Rogers said. “Business education has always been a hallmark of the university, and Al and Carol’s philanthropic support elevates our international business education reputation.”
The $15 million gift will help the business college by funding scholarships and fellowships for students, supporting recruitment and retention of quality faculty, and advancing innovative business programs.
“This gift is more than just dollars and cents. It is a promise to BGSU students and staff,” Rogers said. “I am struck by the magnitude of their generosity.”
Schmidthorst is already a visible name on campus, with the pavilion at the Stroh Center bearing the name. The couple have been long-time supporters of men’s basketball.
Al Schmidthorst, who came to BGSU in 1957 to study business, had to drop out of school to go to work. Growing up, he helped his grandfather plow fields and sell homegrown watermelon and sweet corn – earning 35 cents an hour.
“I’m still a grinder,” Schmidthorst said this morning.
After leaving BGSU, he got into the hotel business – becoming a general manager of hotels and then buying a McDonald’s restaurant.
He applied the lessons learned on the farm throughout his career and is known for his hard work and determination.
“Al has achieved business success through persistent and diligent work ethic, focus and a great deal of grit,” Rogers said. “He has been driving economic vitality in the state for decades, and we are deeply appreciative that he is committed to investing in the future of Ohio through BGSU, a public university for the public good.”
The Schmidthorsts own AWS Properties, a business that provides comprehensive services for office, retail and leisure properties.
A serial entrepreneur with holdings in hotels, restaurants and real estate management, Allen Schmidthorst is a leader in the hotel and hospitality industry. The longtime residents of Lima anchored their businesses in the state and expanded throughout the Midwest.
Allen Schmidthorst received an honorary doctorate of business administration from BGSU in 2017.
Schmidthorst said when approached by Rogers about the opportunity to donate to the College of Business, he didn’t need to deliberate.
“The decision was really easy,” Schmidthorst said. “Thanks for letting me be a part of it.”
“Hopefully this will make a huge difference in the future of BG,” he said.
BGSU Board of Trustees Chairperson Betty Montgomery thanked the couple for “paying forward into our future.”
“This is good news in a time we need good news,” Montgomery said.
The Schmidthorst gift comes just weeks before the official opening of the Robert W. and Patricia A. Maurer Center, the new state-of-the-art facility that will be home to the Schmidthorst College of Business.
“This is a truly historic moment for business education at BGSU,” Rogers said. “The Schmidthorst gift allows us to fully leverage this magnificent facility, made possible through the generosity of Bob and Pat Maurer, and other significant donors. BGSU is committed to supporting each student in their business pursuits.”
BGSU College of Business Dean Ray Braun thanked the Schmidthorsts for the “transformational” gift, noting it will help with scholarships and with attracting top notch faculty.
“We will endeavor to make you proud with what we do,” Braun said.
This is the most recent in a long list of major gifts from the Schmidthorsts.
As ardent supporters of BGSU, they provided naming gifts for the Schmidthorst Pavilion and Schmidthorst Heritage Hall featuring the Cochran Cunningham Athletic Archives, both located at the Stroh Center. They have also supported the WBGU-TV Public Broadcasting Fund, the Falcon Club Scholarship and Success Fund, the BRAVO! Scholarship for the Arts Fund, the Student-Athlete Academic Support Services Fund, the Men’s Basketball Enhancement Fund, the Men’s Golf Enhancement Fund and the Stadium Fund.
“It is an honor to have the continued support of Al and Carol Schmidthorst,” Montgomery said. “Their generosity and confidence in BGSU’s mission has consistently propelled the institution to reach new levels of excellence. Their support transforms the lives of our students for generations to come.”
As students and universities face a future with new and evolving challenges, from navigating a global pandemic to economic uncertainty and social change, the timing of the Schmidthorsts’ gift is especially significant, according to Rogers.
“Education is the great leveler of society,” Rogers said. “It changes lives. This gift is a strong vote of confidence in all that Bowling Green State University stands for today, and will become tomorrow.”
BGSU launched its Changing Lives for the World campaign in July 2014 with a goal of raising $200 million in private funds by the end of 2020. The Schmidthorsts’ $15 million gift elevates the university’s total commitments above that goal, six months ahead of schedule.
“The Changing Lives for the World campaign provides foundational support for BGSU to continue its history of excellence, access and affordability,” said Pamela J. Conlin, vice president for university advancement and the president and CEO of the BGSU Foundation Inc. “Private contributions play a critical role in supporting students and their education. This gift is an exclamation point on the generosity and optimism the Schmidthorsts have in the future of BGSU, and will energize and inspire others to participate and invest in our historic campaign.”
