BGSU once again named a top university in Ohio for veterans

Bowling Green State University was once again named one of the top universities in Ohio for veterans by the Military Times.

Military Times ranked BGSU 66th out of 208 four-year institutions in the nation in its Best for Vets: Colleges 2019 rankings, recognizing the University as one of the top academic choices in the country for veterans and active-duty military personnel.

In their ninth year, the rankings are based on the results of Military Times’ annual survey — a comprehensive school-by-school assessment of veteran and military student services and rates of academic achievement — as well as a detailed review of public data collected by federal agencies.

To bolster BGSU’s support of military students, the Office of Nontraditional and Military Student Services recently received a $1 million gift from William Downing Sr. ’57 and his late wife, Joan ’57, to provide scholarships for student-veterans, enabling them to continue their education when their GI Bill funding runs out.

To honor their substantial gift, the existing veterans center in the College Park Office Building, which opened in 2017, was recently renamed the William and Joan Downing Military and Veteran Center. 

“The military and BGSU were both pivotal institutions in shaping our lives,” Downing said. “We want part of our legacy to be about helping young men and women who are present-day products of these same admirable institutions.”

The Downings’ transformational gift has the potential to touch many lives. Today, the University has more than 600 military affiliated students from all branches of the service, said Dr. Barbara Henry, assistant vice president of Nontraditional and Military Student Services at BGSU. About 43 percent are veterans, and 57 percent are serving in the Ohio National Guard, Reserves and/or are on active duty.

As is true for all Military Times rankings, Best for Vets: Colleges is an editorially independent, objective and rigorous news project. This feature evaluates the many factors that help make colleges and universities a good fit for service members, military veterans and their families. About 500 colleges took part in this year’s survey.