Bowling Green State University facts for kids

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Bowling Green State University

Former name	Bowling Green State Normal School (1914–1929) Bowling Green State College (1929–1935)
Type	Public research university
Established	September 27, 1910; 114 years ago (1910-09-27)
Parent institution	University System of Ohio
Endowment	$155.7 million (2020)
President	Rodney K. Rogers
Provost	Glenn Davis
Academic staff	1,982 (1,109 faculty, 873 graduate assistants)
Administrative staff	1,916
Students	20,395 (Bowling Green) 22,986 (all campuses)
Undergraduates	19,183 (on campus) 2,500 (Firelands)
Postgraduates	3,803 (all campuses)
Location	Bowling Green , Ohio , United States 41°23′N 83°38′W / 41.38°N 83.63°W / 41.38; -83.63
Campus	College town, 1,338 acres (5.41 km²)
Colors	Orange and brown
Nickname	Falcons
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division I – MAC
Mascot	Freddie and Frieda Falcon

Bowling Green State University (BGSU) is a large public university in Bowling Green, Ohio. Its main campus is about 15 miles south of Toledo, Ohio. The university is known for its programs in science, education, arts, business, and health.

BGSU started in 1910 as a school for training teachers, called a normal school. Over the years, it grew into a major university that focuses on research. Today, it is part of the University System of Ohio.

In 2019, BGSU offered over 200 different subjects for students to study. It has programs for bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. The university has a main campus in Bowling Green and a smaller campus called BGSU Firelands in Huron, Ohio. Most of the university's students come from Ohio.

The university has a very active student life with more than 300 student clubs and organizations. Its sports teams are called the Falcons. They compete in NCAA Division I, which is the highest level of college sports.

History of the University

How BGSU Got Started

This is the first known photo of the campus from 1910, before any buildings were built.

In the late 1800s, people in northwestern Ohio wanted a local college to train teachers. The other state universities were too far away. In 1910, a new law allowed for two new teacher-training schools to be built in Ohio.

The town of Bowling Green was chosen as the location for the northwestern Ohio school on November 10, 1910. It was picked because it was in a central location, had good transportation, and was a "dry town," meaning it did not allow the sale of alcohol.

The school officially opened on September 15, 1914, as Bowling Green State Normal School. It started with 304 students and 21 teachers. The first permanent buildings, University Hall and Williams Hall, opened in 1915.

Growing and Changing

Bowling Green Normal School in 1915.

The school grew quickly. In 1927, a sports editor named Ivan "Doc" Lake gave the sports teams the nickname "Falcons" because he thought it matched the school's orange and brown colors.

In 1929, the school became Bowling Green State College and started offering more subjects besides teaching. During the Great Depression in the 1930s, there was a plan to turn the school into a hospital, but students and teachers protested to keep it open. Their efforts worked, and in 1935, the school officially became Bowling Green State University. It also added a College of Business.

World War II and After

Navy and Marine soldiers training on the BGSU campus during World War II in 1945.

During World War II, many male students left to join the military. The university helped the war effort by taking part in the V-12 Navy College Training Program, which trained students to become Navy officers.

After the war, many veterans used government programs to go to college, and enrollment at BGSU grew very fast. The university had to build temporary housing, including trailers and steel buildings, to house all the new students. The university also added a Graduate School in 1948 and an Air Force ROTC program.

Modern Growth and Development

$Math-Sciences Building (BGSU)$

The Mathematical Sciences Building was finished in 1970.

From the 1960s to the 1980s, BGSU continued to expand. It built many new buildings, including the William T. Jerome Library, the Mathematical Sciences Building, and the Moore Musical Arts Center. The university also added new colleges, like the College of Health and Human Services and the College of Musical Arts.

In the 1970s, BGSU became one of the first universities in the country to have a center for studying popular culture.

From the 1990s to today, BGSU has continued to modernize its campus. It built the Stroh Center arena, the Wolfe Center for the Arts, and new dining and residence halls. Many of the original campus buildings have been renovated to include the latest technology for students. In 2020, the College of Business was renamed the Allan and Carol Schmidthorst College of Business after a large donation.

Life on Campus

The Main Campus in Bowling Green

A view of the main campus from the Administration Building.

The main campus of BGSU is large, covering over 1,300 acres. It has more than 116 buildings. The campus is divided into several areas.

Historic Old Campus

Moseley Hall, one of the older buildings on campus, seen in the fall.

The oldest part of campus is in the southwest corner. It has beautiful old buildings from the early 1900s and lots of green space. This area is where many of the university's main offices are located.

Science and Research Buildings

On the northwest side of campus, you can find the science buildings. This area includes buildings for math, life science, psychology, physical science, and technology.

Student Living and Dining

Fresh snow covering the lawn near the Student Union.

The west side of campus has large residence halls (dorms) where students live, including Offenhauer Towers and McDonald Hall. This area also has The Oaks, a modern dining hall built with eco-friendly designs.

The Bowen-Thompson Student Union is a central spot for students. It has restaurants, a coffee shop, a movie theater, and lounges for students to hang out.

Classes and Learning Spaces

The central part of campus has many of the main classroom buildings. Olscamp Hall is one of the largest, with 28 classrooms. The Jerome Library, the main library on campus, is also in this area and is one of the tallest buildings on campus.

Arts and Music Facilities

Jerome Library on the main campus of BGSU.

The arts programs are located on the east side of campus. The Moore Musical Arts Center is home to the College of Musical Arts and has concert halls and recording studios. The Wolfe Center for the Arts is a modern building for theater, film, and art students. BGSU is one of the few universities in the country that offers a degree in glassblowing.

BGSU Firelands Campus

The James H. McBride Arboretum at the Firelands campus.

BGSU has a smaller campus in Huron, Ohio, called BGSU Firelands. It is a commuter school, meaning students do not live on campus. Students at Firelands can earn two-year associate degrees or take classes to prepare for a four-year bachelor's degree.

Sports and Recreation

Falcons Athletics

The Bowling Green men's ice hockey team playing against the University of Michigan.

BGSU's sports teams are called the Falcons. They compete in NCAA Division I sports as a member of the Mid-American Conference. The men's ice hockey team is part of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

The Falcons' biggest rival is the Rockets from the University of Toledo. The football game between the two schools is called the "Battle of I-75," and the winner gets to keep a special trophy called the Peace Pipe.

BGSU has had a lot of success in sports.

The men's ice hockey team won the NCAA National Championship in 1984.
The women's basketball team has won several conference championships.
The 1959 football team was the undefeated "Small College" National Champion.

Many famous coaches, like Urban Meyer (football) and Jerry York (ice hockey), started their careers at BGSU.

Fun and Fitness for Students

Inside the Stroh Center before a game.

Most of the sports facilities are on the east side of campus.

The Student Recreation Center is a huge gym with swimming pools, weight rooms, a running track, and courts for basketball and tennis.
The Slater Family Ice Arena is a 5,000-seat arena for ice hockey. It also has a smaller rink for public skating and curling.
Doyt Perry Stadium is the 28,600-seat football stadium.
The Stroh Center is a modern arena that hosts basketball and volleyball games, as well as concerts and graduation ceremonies.

Student Life and Traditions

Student Activities

Inside the busy Student Union.

BGSU has over 300 student organizations, so there is something for everyone. There are clubs for different hobbies, academic subjects, and cultural groups.

One of the biggest student-run events is the Dance Marathon. It is a charity event where students dance for hours to raise money for the local children's hospital.

Mascots and Spirit Groups

Frieda Falcon cheers at a basketball game.

Freddie and Frieda Falcon are the official mascots of BGSU. Freddie first appeared in 1950, and his sister Frieda joined him later. The students who play Freddie and Frieda keep their identities a secret until the end of the year.
SICSIC is a secret spirit group that started in 1946. Its six members wear gray jumpsuits and masks to hide their identities. They appear at sports games and other events to pump up school spirit.

Greek Life

Members of sororities gather outside the Student Union.

BGSU has many fraternities and sororities, which are social organizations for students. These groups are involved in community service and social events. In 2016, the university opened a new Greek Village with modern houses for these organizations to live in.

Falcon Marching Band

The Falcon Marching Band performing at Doyt Perry Stadium.

The Falcon Marching Band is the largest student organization on campus, with over 250 members. The band performs at all home football games and travels to some away games and bowl games. They are known for their powerful sound and precise marching style.

Famous BGSU Alumni

Many graduates of BGSU have become famous in different fields.

Athletes: Scott Hamilton (Olympic gold medalist figure skater), Orel Hershiser (baseball pitcher), Rob Blake (hockey player), and Nate Thurmond (basketball player).
Arts and Entertainment: Tim Conway (actor and comedian), Eva Marie Saint (actress), and Jennifer Higdon (Pulitzer Prize-winning composer).
Business: Shantanu Narayen (CEO of Adobe) and Brian Chambers (CEO of Owens Corning).
Government: Bob Latta (U.S. Congressman) and Tim Ryan (former U.S. Congressman).