Class of 2023: BGSU softball standout excelled on and off the field, earning back-to-back degrees and a place in University athletics history

Hannah Davies ‘22, ‘23 is ranked seventh in school history in career strikeouts

By Laren Kowalczyk ‘07

As a student-athlete at Bowling Green State University, Hannah Davies ‘22, ‘23 followed a rigorous schedule that required masterful time management and intense dedication — beneficial skills both on and off the field.

Most days for the softball standout and Honors College student began with 6 a.m. workouts, followed by classes, four-hour practices, team dinners and homework. During the season, traveling for games often included four to five days away from campus.

Through it all, Davies excelled athletically and academically, earning back-to-back bachelor’s and master’s degrees during her five years at the University. 

“I’ve grown so much as a person while I’ve been at BGSU,” she said. “So many of my classes pushed me out of my comfort zone in ways that have helped me develop relationships and strengthen my communication skills. I became a better leader and team player on the softball field. I’m so grateful for all the opportunities I had at BGSU.”

Davies graduated magna cum laude from the University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry specializing in biochemistry.

She graduated with a master’s degree in business administration, a nationally-ranked program in the Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business, with a near-perfect GPA in Summer 2023.

Davies will begin her second master’s degree in the fall at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, to become a physician assistant.

When she enrolled in BGSU in 2018, Davies knew she wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. She wasn’t certain of the exact path until spending a summer working as a nurse assistant at a hospital near her hometown of Waterford, Michigan.

“I got a lot of experience that summer seeing the various health professions and what each entails,” Davies said. “I talked with physician assistants and doctors about working in those fields and ultimately decided to follow the physician assistant route.”

Davies said she liked the prospect of beginning her career in two years versus nine.

Her decision to pursue an MBA at BGSU was partially inspired by Tom Daniels, associate director of graduate and executive programs in business, who explained how essential business knowledge is in healthcare.

“All jobs occur within a business environment, so having that business acumen provided in our accelerated one-year MBA program is beneficial to students regardless of their career path,” Daniels said. “Hannah was an incredible cohort member who built relationships with other members and supported them. 

“Our program is about learning with each other and also from each other, and Hannah embodied that throughout. She was an exceptional student.”

Throughout the master’s degree program, Davies continued competing on the Falcons softball team as a pitcher. She had five years of eligibility because the 2020 season was cut short due to COVID.

“I had never taken a business class, which was a little daunting, but Tom gave me the confidence that getting an MBA was something I could accomplish and that it would benefit my future career,” Davies said.

In her final season on the team, Davies earned numerous accolades, including being named to the 2023 Academic All-District Team and the Academic All-MAC Team.

She also was named an Easton/NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete and was the MAC Scholar-Athlete of the Week in May 2023. Davies ended her BGSU career ranked seventh in school history in career strikeouts per seven innings.

“I gained so much from BGSU on and off the field,” she said. “BGSU will always hold a special place in my heart.”