Is Bowling Green State University an HBCU? An In-Depth Look

While Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Bowling Green, Ohio, is not a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), it's important to understand the landscape of HBCUs in Ohio and the surrounding region. This article will delve into the definition of HBCUs, explore the presence of HBCUs in Ohio and neighboring states, and provide context regarding BGSU's historical background and current standing.

What is an HBCU?

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before 1964 with the primary mission of educating Black Americans. These institutions played a crucial role in providing educational opportunities to African Americans during a time when they were often excluded from predominantly white colleges and universities. Today, HBCUs continue to serve a diverse student body and contribute significantly to the education of students from all backgrounds.

HBCUs in Ohio and Nearby States

Although Bowling Green State University is not considered an HBCU, Ohio is home to two HBCUs recognized by the U.S. Department of Education:

Central State University (Wilberforce): As Ohio’s only public HBCU and 1890 Land-Grant Institution, Central State has enriched minds and changed lives for over 135 years - always with a focus on the future.
Wilberforce University (Wilberforce): This institution also holds the distinction of being an HBCU.

Several nearby states also have recognized HBCUs, offering a range of educational opportunities in the region:

Pennsylvania: Cheyney University (Cheyney) and The Lincoln University (Lincoln University).
West Virginia: Bluefield State College (Bluefield) and West Virginia State University (Institute).
Kentucky: Kentucky State University (Frankfort) and Simmons College of Kentucky (Louisville).
Maryland: Bowie State University (Bowie), Coppin State University (Baltimore), University of Maryland - Eastern Shore (Princess Anne), and Morgan State University (Baltimore).

Most states with HBCUs are located in the South or on the East Coast. States and territories that currently have recognized HBCUs include Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Bowling Green State University: A Historical Overview

Bowling Green State University is a public research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio. The university's main campus spans 1,338 acres (541.5 ha), situated 15 miles (24 km) south of Toledo, Ohio.

Early Years and Transformation:

Establishment: BGSU was granted a charter in 1910 as a normal school, initially specializing in teacher training and education.
Former Names: The institution was previously known as Bowling Green State Normal School (1914-1929) and Bowling Green State College (1929-1935).
Opening and Early Enrollment: The school opened on September 15, 1914, as Bowling Green State Normal School in two temporary locations at the Bowling Green Armory and at a branch school in Toledo for the 1914-1915 academic year. It initially enrolled 304 students from Ohio, Michigan, and New York, who were taught by 21 faculty members.
First Graduating Class: The school graduated its first class in 1915, consisting of 35 certified teachers.
Early Buildings: University Hall and Williams Hall opened in 1915, becoming the school's first two permanent buildings.
University Status: In May 1935, the college was granted university status and changed its name to Bowling Green State University.

Growth and Development:

Post-War Expansion: The 1940s, including World War II and its aftermath, brought significant changes to BGSU. The Federal Housing Authority provided additional housing facilities to accommodate increased enrollment.
ROTC Program: The BGSU Army ROTC was established on campus in 1948 as enrollment increased dramatically in the post-war era.
Academic Expansion: The university continued to add academic programs as enrollment increased during the mid to late 1940s, including the Graduate School in 1948.
Focus on Teacher Education: In 1951, Ralph W. McDonald was appointed the fourth president, focusing on improving teacher education and certification standards.
College of Education Growth: The College of Education experienced rapid growth and expansion during the 1960s, adding specialized education programs. By 1965, it enrolled 5,470 students and was ranked the 16th largest producer of teachers in the United States.
New Facilities: The university added new academic, administrative, and athletic facilities during the 1960s. The new Administration Building opened in 1964, and the William T. Jerome Library opened in 1967.
Student Activism: Student activism became common in the 1960s, reflecting the social and political events of the time.

Later Developments:

Continued Construction: Throughout the 1970s, construction continued with new buildings and renovations to existing facilities.
Technology and Science Expansion: The university expanded many of the technology and science facilities during the 1980s, including constructing the Planetarium and Physical Sciences Building.
Electric Vehicle Institute: In 1993, the Electric Vehicle Institute of the College of Technology began working on an electric race-car known as the Electric Falcon.
Sustainable Designs: The Oaks was constructed with sustainable designs, including a hybrid solar and wind power system.
Recent Renovations: In 2016 and 2017, three major renovations were completed to three original campus buildings, totaling about $70 million.

Present Day:

Academic Programs: In 2019, Bowling Green offered over 200 undergraduate programs, as well as master's and doctoral degrees through eight academic colleges.
Enrollment: BGSU had an on-campus residential student population of approximately 6,000 students and a total enrollment of over 19,000 students as of 2018.
Satellite Campus: The university also maintains a satellite campus, known as BGSU Firelands, in Huron, Ohio, 60 miles (97 km) east of the main campus.
Student Life: The university hosts an extensive student life program, with over 300 student organizations.
Winter Session: In January 2019, the university began offering a winter session, with an enrollment of at least 1,000 students.

Campus Overview

The main academic and residential campus is located on the northeast side of Bowling Green. The campus includes over 116 buildings on 1,338 acres (5.41 km2).

Key Areas and Facilities:

Historic Southwest Corner: The oldest portion of the BGSU campus is located in the southwest corner and hosts the original campus buildings.
Science Research Complex: The Science Research Complex is located on the northwest side of campus.
Residence Halls: Three large residence halls occupy the western edge of campus: Offenhauer Towers, McDonald Hall, and The Oaks.
Bowen-Thompson Student Union: The Bowen-Thompson Student Union opened in 2002 in the west-central part of campus.
Central Campus: Central Campus features large lecture halls and classroom buildings, including Olscamp Hall, Schmidthorst Business Building, the Education Building, MacLeod Hall, and the Eppler Complex.
Anderson Arena and Memorial Hall: Anderson Arena is a 5,000-seat arena, and Memorial Hall houses the college's ROTC programs.
Jerome Library: Jerome Library is the main library on campus.
Arts Programs: Arts programs are located to the east of Anderson Arena and Jerome Library in the east-central area, including the Fine Arts Center and the Moore Musical Arts Center.
Wolfe Center for the Arts: The Wolfe Center for the Arts opened in December 2011.
Athletic and Recreational Facilities: Most athletic and recreational facilities are located on the eastern half of campus, including the Student Recreation Center, Perry Field House, Slater Family Ice Arena, Eppler complex, Doyt Perry Stadium, and the Stroh Center.

Transportation:

Campus Bus System: The campus fare-free bus transit system began in 1990 and runs throughout the campus and surrounding neighborhoods.
Orange Bike Program: The Orange Bike program began in 2008 as part of an increase in campus sustainability.

BGSU's Recognition and Rankings

While not an HBCU, Bowling Green State University has been recognized for its programs and contributions to higher education. Notably, Bowling Green State University has been a popular choice for Black students from Metro Detroit seeking out-of-state schools. According to data from the National Student Clearinghouse/Kresge Foundation, BGSU ranked third among the top 20 out-of-state schools for Black students from Metro Detroit between 2018 and 2022. This indicates the university's appeal and accessibility to a diverse student population.

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