Class of 2022: Love of voice lands Lauren Riggleman at BGSU

By Bob Cunningham ’18

Lauren Riggleman has always loved music and helping others. At Bowling Green State University, she will be able to pursue both passions by majoring in communication sciences and disorders (CDIS) and minoring in voice.   

“Being able to really study voice and how it works and being able to help people, especially children, is a big reason why I chose BGSU,” said Riggleman, who plans to work in pediatrics one day. “It’s really rewarding, and it’s something I can tie voice and singing together with and make it my own.

“I liked BGSU’s CDIS program from the very beginning. Every time I came here, all of the people were so nice, which made a large school feel like a small-school environment. I wouldn’t be just a number and I would be valued here. I would be able to do what I want to do and be in a nurturing environment where I could explore different interests and passions of mine.”

Riggleman, who grew up in Newark, Ohio, is a member of BGSU’s Class of 2022, the most academically prepared class in University’s history. There are more than 3,600 new students in the freshman class, which has an ACT average score of 23, SAT average score of 1,110 and average GPA of 3.46, also a University high.

In fact, she is a recipient of the Presidential Scholars Award, through the Honors College. It’s an in-state, full-tuition scholarship that is renewable. To be eligible for the award, incoming freshmen must have at least a 3.8 cumulative high school GPA on a 4.0 scale, and either a 30 ACT composite or 1390 SAT score.

"Lauren is not only an outstanding student, but she also cares deeply for her community," said Katrina Heilmeier, a recruiter for the Honors College. "We are lucky to have her at Bowling Green State University and the Honors College. We are confident that while she is here she will make an impact on those around her."

Riggleman said the University hadn’t been on her radar until she was invited to campus to interview for the scholarship. 

“I ended up getting the scholarship and then I came again to audition for the College of Musical Arts,” she said. “At that point, I went on a private tour with one of the CDIS majors and it was really cool to learn more about the program. I knew it was the right choice for me.” 

Riggleman is settling into campus life. 

“So far, I’ve really liked my classes and all of my professors,” she said. “Living on campus has been different, as well as being away from my family. I’ve been meeting new people, and some of my friends are people I knew before I got here, so that’s helped with the transition.”

Volunteering is also important to Riggleman.

“There’s a camp in my town where a lot of underprivileged kids go, and I volunteer there a lot,” she said. “Through my high school, Newark Catholic, there were a lot of service opportunities. For our National Honor Society, we had to get 50 hours of service. I volunteered at the local theater and I worked at the drama camps for the school. My favorite one, though, was definitely Camp O’Bannon and being able to help those kids.” 

Riggleman plans to join the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association for CDIS majors. She also wants to join a sorority for service opportunities and be involved with the Catholic Falcon Community.

Music, however, will always be close to her heart. She took piano lessons when she was younger and taught herself how to play ukulele and guitar. She enjoys musical theater and alternative and ‘70s music.

“Plus, I auditioned for the a cappella choir and made it,” she said. “I’m so excited.”