In honor of a $2.5 million donation and 30 years of collaboration, BGSU trustees voted Friday (March 4) to name the home of the School of the Built Environment after Kokosing Inc.
The 70-year-old family-owned construction company has two BGSU graduates in its leadership – Wm. Brett Burgett, co-president with Wm. Bryce Burgett, and regional manager Geoff Rinehart, Burgett’s cousin.
Brett Burgett told trustees on Friday that the company has 32 other graduates, and like himself and Rinehart, all from the same department – construction management.
Several BGSU alumni have recently retired, but several co-op students are at the company to continue the BGSU connection, he said.
The School of the Built Environment consists of construction management and architecture, the only such program in the state.
Architecture is now housed in what has been called the Park Avenue building, a former warehouse, converted into state of the art space lab and classroom space.
The university is planning a 22,900-square-foot expansion of the building to house construction management.
The $10.9 million project is in the design phase with construction expected to begin later this year with completion in Spring, 2023.
“We are incredibly grateful for Kokosing’s longtime support of Bowling Green State University,” said BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers. “Kokosing Hall, a state-of-the-art-facility, will forever represent their generosity and our shared vision to educate and prepare our graduates of the School of the Built Environment. As a public university for the public good, this transformational gift also represents our commitment to partnering with industry leaders to create and enhance in-demand academic programs to meet Ohio’s workforce needs.”
“Kokosing has expressed a sincere interest in continuing to build a lasting partnership with Bowling Green State University,” Burgett said. “The shared values between Kokosing and BGSU – inclusive communities of care, continuous improvement and growth, and being good members of our communities – make it fitting to name the current Park Avenue building and the upcoming addition Kokosing Hall.”
Upon its completion, Kokosing Hall will include a 6,500-square-foot innovation lab, a materials and soils lab, collaborative spaces and two digital labs to serve students in both the construction management and architecture and environmental design programs, which together make the School of the Built Environment.
The new facility and transformative gift from Kokosing will expose students to situations, technologies and experiences that they will encounter in real-world roles through coursework, and also allow for increased engagement with alumni and corporate partners.
“Kokosing Hall will play an important role in recruiting and retaining students and faculty, as well as enhancing student success,” said Joe B. Whitehead Jr., BGSU provost and senior vice president for Academic and Student Affairs. “We are deeply appreciative to partner with Kokosing in elevating our academic programming in these high-demand industries.”
A partnership for the state
After completing immersive and interdisciplinary coursework that infuses design, technical and management education, as well as participating in up to three paid co-ops experiences, graduates typically begin careers in architecture, interior design, entrepreneurship and construction management, among others.
“Students from each program take several classes together, exposing them to both fields and creating a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the synergies between architecture and construction management, which aligns with the future trajectory of the ‘design-build’ profession and industry,” said Jennie Gallimore, dean of the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering. “BGSU students have long benefitted from Kokosing’s support of our programs through co-op learning experiences. With this gift, all our students will be exposed to an even greater opportunity to learn in-demand skills and graduate career ready.”
Kokosing, which was founded by Bill Burgett and Lester Rinehart in 1951, specializes in industrial, transportation, building, pipeline, water/wastewater treatment and marine construction, in addition to owning construction material supply companies. Known for unwavering integrity and exceptional safety and quality, Kokosing’s companies provide extensive resources for its customers.
The initial groundbreaking for the $10.4 million facility upgrade took place in June 2021 and is scheduled to be completed by spring 2023.
The BGSU construction management program is one of only five in Ohio and 72 nationwide that is accredited by the American Council for Construction Education, with a job placement rate of 100 present after graduation. The BGSU Department of Architecture, which includes the opportunity for students to pursue a Master of Architecture, is one of only five National Architecture Accreditation Board-accredited programs in Ohio.
Currently, the construction management program is housed in the Technology Building. It will move to Kokosing Hall upon com
(From BGSU Marketing & Brand Strategy and BG Independent News)
