In recognition of a $2.5 Million donation and 30 years of cooperation, trustees of BGSU voted Friday (March 4) for the naming of the School of the Built Environment’s home after Kokosing Inc.
Two BGSU grads are the leaders of the 70-year old family-owned construction firm Wm. Brett Burgett, co president with Wm. Bryce Burgett is co-president with Wm. Geoff Rinehart is the regional manager. He is Burgetts uncle.
Brett Burgett, who spoke to trustees Friday, said that 32 other graduates work for the company, including Rinehart and him, all of whom are from the same department in construction management.
He said that while many BGSU alumni have retired recently, several co-op students are still at the company to keep the BGSU connection.
The School of the Built Environment is the only program of its kind in the state. It consists of architecture and construction management.
The Park Avenue building, which was once a warehouse, is now home to architecture. It has been converted into a state-of-the-art space lab and classroom space.
The university plans to expand the building by 22,900 square feet to house construction management.
The design phase for the $10.9 Million project is underway. Construction is expected later in this year, with completion in Spring 2023.
Rodney K. Rogers, President of Bowling Green State University, stated that we are incredibly grateful to Kokosings support of Bowling Green State University. Kokosing Hall, a state-of-the-art-facility, will forever represent their generosity and our shared vision to educate and prepare our graduates of the School of the Built Environment. This transformational gift is a public university for public good. It also represents our commitment of partnering with industry leaders in order to create and improve in-demand academic programs to meet Ohio’s workforce needs.
Burgett stated that Kokosing has expressed sincere interest in building a lasting partnership alongside Bowling Green State University. Kokosing’s shared values of inclusive care, continuous improvement, and growth and being good citizens of our communities makes it appropriate to name the Park Avenue building as well as the upcoming Kokosing hall.
Kokosing Hall will have a 6,500-square feet innovation lab, materials and soils laboratory, collaborative spaces, and two labs for digital technology. This will make Kokosing Hall the School of the Built Environment.
The new facility, which is a transformative gift from Kokosing, will expose students to situations and technologies that they will encounter in their real-world roles.
“Kokosing Hall will play an important role in recruiting and retaining students and faculty, as well as enhancing student success, said Joe B. Whitehead Jr., BGSU provost and senior vice president for Academic and Student Affairs. “We are deeply appreciative to partner with Kokosing in elevating our academic programming in these high-demand industries.
A partnership for state
After completing intensive and interdisciplinary coursework that fuses design, technical, and management education as well as participating up to three paid coop experiences, graduates often start careers in architecture, interior design and construction management among other things.
“Students from each program take several classes together, exposing them to both fields and creating a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the synergies between architecture and construction management, which aligns with the future trajectory of the ‘design-build’ profession and industry,” said Jennie Gallimore, dean of the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering. “BGSU students have long benefitted from Kokosings support of our programs through co-op learning experiences. This gift will give all students the chance to gain in-demand skills that will help them prepare for their graduate careers.
Kokosing was established in 1951 by Bill Burgett & Lester Rinehart. They specialize in industrial, transport, building, water/wastewater treatments, and marine construction. Kokosings’ companies offer extensive resources for customers. They are known for their unwavering integrity as well as exceptional safety and high quality.
The initial groundbreaking ceremony for the $10.4million facility upgrade took place in June 2021. It is scheduled to be completed by spring 20,23.
The BGSU construction management program is one of only five in Ohio and 72 nationwide that is accredited by the American Council for Construction Education, with a job placement rate of 100 present after graduation. The BGSU Department of Architecture offers students the chance to pursue a Master of Architecture. It is one of five National Architecture Accreditation Board-accredited programs.
Currently, the Technology Building houses the construction management program. It will be moving to Kokosing Hall once it is complete.
(From BGSU Marketing & Brand Strategy & BG Independent News
