When Dr. Barbara Gellman-Danley, Ohio Board of Regents (OBOR) vice chancellor for academic affairs and
systems integration, held a distance-learning summit in Columbus in early May, she heard a buzz from
other state participants that made her want to visit Bowling Green State University.
"Innovation, collaboration, sustainability" kept emerging as themes when other campuses spoke
of BGSU, Gellman-Danley said.
As a result of the summit and ensuing conversations with Dr. Bruce Edwards, associate vice provost for
academic technology, who represented BGSU at the meeting, Gellman-Danley and two of her staff, Stephanie
Davidson, associate vice chancellor for program development and approval, and Thomas Bordenkircher,
associate vice chancellor for academic quality and assurance, visited BGSU on Wednesday.
Hosted by the Office of Academic Technology and the Center for Online and Blended Learning (COBL),
Gellman-Danley spoke to various campus leaders about how distance learning can contribute to the
University System of Ohio’s strategic plan by providing access to a quality education for students who
cannot easily travel to a campus to attend classes due to job or life circumstances.
"BGSU gets it when it comes to serving nontraditional students and meeting their needs, which is
evidenced by the programs and student support services available, such as the Adult Learner Services
office and the Center for Online and Blended Learning," said Gellman-Danley.
During their daylong visit, the OBOR contingent met with BGSU President Carol Cartwright and a number of
campus personnel to discuss the expansion of distance education initiatives and the innovative use of
technologies in teaching and learning.
Gellman-Danley stressed the new opportunities available through the growth of online courses and
programs. She also emphasized Chancellor Eric Fingerhut’s expectation that campuses will utilize
technologies to respond to the needs of students and meet state goals for higher graduation rates and
affordability.
Connie Molnar, COBL director, said Gellman-Danley’s visit "confirms that we are on the right track
in providing more opportunities for students to achieve their educational goals through the growth of
online courses and programs."
