BOWLING GREEN — The Bowling Green State University Board of Trustees have set room and board rates for all new incoming students for the 2025-26 academic year under the Falcon Tuition Guarantee.
For the class of 2029, the board on Friday approved an average 2.65 percent adjustment in rates for its four-tiered housing system, which ranges from basic to premium residence hall rooms. The rate for the bronze meal plan, which the state uses for comparison purposes, will increase by 3.5 percent or an average of $4.56 per week.
Also Friday, the board approved an expanded portfolio for Athletics Director Derek van der Merwe as vice president for athletics strategy and director of athletics, with a contract extension through June, 2030. His annual base salary is $330,000.
Mr. Van der Merwe was hired in October, 2022, as the university’s 15th director of athletics. He oversees 18 sports programs in the Mid-American Conference with 450 student-athletes, as well as 35 club sports with 800 participants.
“Since his first day on the job, Derek has hit the ground not just running, but sprinting, providing a forward-thinking, holistic experience for our student-athletics, supporters and students,” BGSU President Rodney Rogers said. “The rapidly changing and increasingly complex landscape of Division I athletics, as well as public higher education, requires strong leadership during this transformational time for the collegiate athletics model. We are grateful for Derek’s commitment and work in leveraging the role of athletics at a comprehensive university, with his vision absolutely contributing to the momentum we are seeing at Bowling Green.”
Under Mr. van der Merwe’s leadership, BGSU Athletics has set record giving for unique donors and has successfully collaborated with supporters in growing NIL opportunities for student-athletes, according to the university. He has also achieved the highest grade point average for student-athletes in university history, with a 91 percent graduation rate, and has integrated the university’s Life Design program.
Mr. Van der Merwe came to Bowling Green from the University of Arizona, where he was associate vice president and chief operations officer with the athletics department. Prior to this role, he was vice president of advancement, communication, and strategic initiatives at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee.
Born and raised in South Africa, Mr. Van der Merwe attended Central Michigan University, where he earned Academic All-MAC honors as a co-captain of CMU football in 1995.
The trustees also approved the appointment of Ravi Krovi as provost and senior vice president following a competitive national search. President Rogers made the announcement earlier this month. Mr. Krovi’s annual base salary is $390,000.
He comes from Weber State University, a public, regional university serving 30,000 students near Salt Lake City, where he has been provost and senior vice president of academic affairs since 2020.
He previously held multiple leadership roles at University of Akron, including dean of the college of business administration for a decade.
The trustees voted to rename the college of technology, architecture and applied engineering to the college of engineering and innovation.
The renamed college comprises the school of aviation, school of engineering, and school of the built environment and nearly two dozen degree programs that prepare graduates to meet Ohio’s work force needs in aviation, engineering, architecture, and construction management.
Wael Mokhtar, dean of the college, said the name change resulted from a multiyear process of reimagining degree programs, establishing new schools, and investing in infrastructure to further position BGSU as a leader in providing industry-relevant programs.
“The College of Engineering and Innovation embodies our strategic vision, programmatic focus and future trajectory as we strive to provide a top-tier educational experience,” Mr. Mokhtar said. “This renaming represents the culmination of evolving to meet the needs of both students and industry and underscores our ongoing dedication to innovation. We are steadfast in our mission to deliver an education of value that effectively prepares students for meaningful careers.”
The college’s name change precedes the opening of the Technology Engineering Innovation Center, a state-of-the-art facility that will blend classroom and hands-on learning.
Two new bachelor’s degree programs in general studies and world languages and cultures were approved Friday.
The bachelor of general studies offers a streamlined path for students who want to return to college to earn a bachelor’s degree. Developed for students who hold an associate degree or have earned a minimum of 60 college credit hours, the bachelor’s degree program can be completed either in-person or online, with comprehensive advising to ensure coursework is aligned with desired career goals.
BGSU will also offer of a Bachelor of Arts in world languages and cultures, which allows students to complete a standard set of core courses before specializing in one of six language areas, including French, German, Russian, and Spanish. Students in the world languages and cultures program will also complete a capstone course to prepare them for applying language skills in the work force.
The board also voted to name Louisa Ha as distinguished research professor and Michael Kimaid as distinguished teaching professor.
The board of trustees also approved upgrades for Founders Hall and the fine arts center.
Originally constructed in 1955 and home to the BGSU honors college, Founders Hall is set to undergo the first of five improvement phases later this spring, which will include investigation of plumbing infrastructure, HVAC modifications, and limited improvements to interior suites. The work will also address stormwater infiltration in the residence hall, with all Phase 1 improvements set to be finished this fall.
Built in 1948 with additions in 1960 and 1990, the fine arts center will receive replacements to selected roof sections.
First Published February 25, 2025, 8:11 p.m.
