Recognizing the leadership and generosity of alumni and donors, The Bowling Green State University Board approved the naming of learning, collaborative and office spaces in buildings across campus.
In the College of Health and Human Services, the board recognized the generous support of the Wood County Hospital with the naming of the Wood County Hospital Student Hub and Wood County Hospital Foundation Conference Room.
As a long-term partner with BGSU, Wood County Hospital and its Foundation have collaborated on the development and elevation of health services academic programming that benefit the University and public good. In 2013, the public-private partnership created the Falcon Health Center, enhancing student health care while benefiting the broader community. Their generosity is acknowledged through membership in The Presidents Club and Leadership Circle giving societies.
Hospital President Stan Korducki was on hand. He thanked the university for addressing the shortage of nurses, by creating of a School of Nursing.
The late Dr. Julian Williford, former professor, was honored with the naming of the Julian “Dr. Joe” Williford Food Science Research Lab.
Julian (Joe) Williford joined BGSU in 1978 as an assistant professor and program coordinator in food and nutrition for the Department of Home Economics. Dr. Williford served the food and nutrition program for 38 years through teaching courses in dietetics, restaurant management, nutrition and food science, and graduate nutrition curriculum. During his tenure, the food and nutrition programs grew significantly. Dr. Williford passed on December 5, 2019.
Joe’s surviving spouse, Dr. M. Sue Houston, is the Vice President for Partnerships and Chief of Staff for BGSU. Joe and Sue have supported BGSU through gifts to the College of Health and Human Services Building Project Fund, the School of Family and Consumer Sciences, the Slater Family Ice Arena Renovation, and the Dietetics, Food and Nutrition Science Programs. Their generosity is acknowledged through membership in The Presidents Club and Leadership Circle giving societies
In the Robert W. and Patricia A. Maurer Center, trustees approved the naming of an associate dean’s office as the Andrew B. Cajka Jr. Office. As alumni and hospitality industry leaders, Cajka and his wife, Donna, have supported BGSU through gifts to the Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business and to Greek life for many years.
Opened last fall, the state-of-the-art Maurer Center serves as a gateway to the academic core of the BGSU campus. The facility is home to the Schmidthorst College of Business and will elevate the University’s longtime, quality business education and develop new, innovative programs in the future.
