Thompson Scholarship Programs
2023-24
Year-in-Review
1,063 Thompson Scholars
Connect. Engage. Serve.
Thompson Scholarship Programs
Thompson Scholars receive more than a financial benefit from the scholarship. Our program staff offers holistic support from the time students enter our program through graduation. We help them find opportunities to connect, engage and serve – experiences that enable them to grow and make the most of their BGSU experience. Our staff collaborates with internal and external partners to coordinate events and service opportunities every semester.
Thompson Summer Link and Orientation
Our Summer Link program supports our incoming first-year scholars in making a smooth transition to BGSU and college life. Our 2023 Summer Link was our largest yet, with 157 of our 199 first-year scholars attending (a 153% increase from the year before). Students moved into their residence hall on Sunday, the week before classes began, and participated in a five-day program with opportunities to connect, engage, and serve with other new scholars, Summer Link Leaders, and staff. Activities included:
- The Thompson Olympics competition
- Information sessions on scholarship requirements, support and resources
- Walks and tours to acclimate to campus
- Personal and professional development sessions
- Volunteer opportunities to jump start service hour requirements
Thompson Student Leadership Team
The Thompson Student Leadership Team (SLT) fosters inclusion and connection among scholarship recipients. It was established to complement the work of Thompson Scholarship Programs in supporting student success. SLT committees helped brainstorm, plan and oversee events in areas including academic excellence, alumni relations, communications, connections, scholar development and service initiatives.
This year, 67 Thompson Scholars served on the SLT and logged over 814 service hours that directly benefited the program. Thank you to our cabinet co-chairs who lead the committees and our executive board.
(L to R): Cherylle Dave, secretary; Abbey Eggleton, president; Julianne Bailey, treasurer; and Danielle Wood, vice president.
2023-24 service highlights
27,731+
service hours
completed by Thompson Scholars during the 2023-24 academic year (average 27.5 hours per scholar)
7,501+
items donated
from our fall and spring food drives to benefit the Falcon Food Pantry, Dean of Students Grab-N-Go Bags and Brown Bag Food Project
Thompson service trip
Ten Thompson Scholars and graduate advisors Ashleigh and Sam traveled to Cleveland in March to visit Open Doors Academy. The academy provides year-round programs to protect, inspire, nurture and challenge youth to reach their full potential. During the service trip, our students learned more about the program and shared their experiences as Thompson Scholars. After visiting with academy staff, scholars traveled to Garrett Morgan High School to participate in a panel discussion. They talked about their lives as college students and answered questions. Thank you to Ashleigh and Sam for leading the trip and our scholars who served as great ambassadors of our program and BGSU.
Group service opportunities
We hosted a variety of Thompson group service options: Rally BG on Main in August; Friends of the Wood County Library, Constitution Day and Black Swamp Arts Festival in September; Wintergarden Park in October; the Aurora Project in November; MLK Day in January; Ecobricking in February and March; Thompson service trip to Cleveland in March; Wintergarden Park, Simpson Garden Park in April.
Ava Sabatucci (2023 Cohort) served as a site leader for BGSU’s first-ever For the Public Good service event in August. Over 800 BGSU students, including 70+ Thompson Scholars, logged more than 2,400 service hours at over 30 service sites as part of the University’s Weeks of Welcome programming.
My favorite part is knowing that we help children who are experiencing struggles. Knowing that I can put a smile on a child’s face is extremely rewarding. I’ve learned that I should use the life that I was given to help give back to the people who need it most. - Olivia Zale (2021 Cohort)Olivia's sorority works closely with Kids Count Too and helps children who are experiencing homelessness or are in the foster care systems. In addition to fundraising, they’ve made teddy bears for the children, sent meaningful cards and compiled Thanksgiving gift bags.
I love that I can volunteer at a not-for-profit museum that relates back to the industry I want to be in. I feel such joy whenever I volunteer here. - Asher Raymond (2021 Cohort)Asher is a resort and attraction management major who volunteered with the Merry-Go-Round Museum in Sandusky, Ohio. He ran the gift shop, operated the carousel and created a special slideshow for guests to enjoy as they entered. Asher is currently completing a marketing internship at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
Service has been a cornerstone of my college experience. I was involved in food drives, park conservation, blood drives and recycling efforts. These experiences instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to give back to the university and the broader community – a commitment I intend to carry forward into my professional endeavors and beyond. - Ben Evers (2020 cohort)
Through the program, I have had the opportunity to participate in numerous community service events, each leaving an indelible mark on my journey. From donating food to organizing philanthropy events through my fraternity, these experiences have not only enriched my college experience but have instilled in me the values of social responsibility and community engagement. - Justin Rettig (2021 ACohort)
Thompson graduation events
Congratulations and best wishes! We are so proud of you and look forward to all you will accomplish as BGSU alumni. Please stay in touch.
Thompson graduates
248 Thompson graduates
Summer 2023: 14
Fall 2023: 30
Spring 2024: 204
Recognizing our December graduates
We celebrated our December graduates in an intimate ceremony. Thompson staff and Cecilia Castellano, vice president for enrollment management, addressed our graduates. Melanie Walker (A2021 Cohort), a leader in our program, was our keynote speaker. Scholars were presented with a Thompson commencement pin and a note from their advisor to recognize their hard work and accomplishments.
Thompson Scholarship Programs end-of-year celebration
Our Thompson Scholars, their guests, staff and other University leaders enjoyed an afternoon celebrating another remarkable year and congratulating our spring and summer graduates. President Rogers spoke, scholars were recognized for their involvement with the program and award winners were announced. Each graduate was recognized and received their Thompson Commencement pin to wear on their graduation gowns.
Award recipients and Student Leadership Team committee winners
Graduate pictures & quotes
Raegan Hall
(2020 Cohort)
The Thompson Working Families Scholarship program provides scholars with a community and support system that is truly like no other. It has shaped my BGSU identity, and I am very grateful for the connections I have made within the program.” Raegan Hall (2020 Cohort) will stay at BGSU to pursue her Master of Arts in college student personnel. She will work as a graduate advisor in the Thompson Scholarship Programs office. We’re excited to see how Raegan’s experiences as a scholar will inform our work to support scholars."
Melina Bell(A2021 Cohort)
My number one goal when starting college was to get into occupational therapy school, which is very competitive. Throughout my time as a scholar, I made great connections through advisors, professors and those within the community. I have worked extremely hard to keep a good GPA. I have strived to make sure I have lots of community service hours and to just be the best version of myself. In February, I was accepted into my top school where I was one of 20 students selected for their program! Melina Bell (A2021 Cohort) will pursue her doctorate in occupational therapy at the University of Toledo in the fall.
Zachary Wells(2020 Cohort)
The Thompson Working Families Scholarship has allowed me to connect with students outside of my major and the in the broader campus community. Through Leadership Team meetings and events, I have been able to grow and develop as a leader, stepping out of my comfort zone to interact with new people. Zachary Wells (2020 Cohort), right, is pursuing a Master of Architecture degree at Clemson University. Also pictured is Tomi Starcher (A2022 Cohort), who graduated a year early and has a teaching job lined up.
Cameron Willis(2019 Cohort)
Before my college experience, I had big dreams and ideas. Because of the Thompson Working Family Scholarship, I got to worry less about the finances. I was able to join all the student organizations I wanted, take the extra classes I was interested in, add my second major, study abroad and just worry about being a young, engaged university student.
Scholar highlight
Studying abroad was the most rewarding experience I had at BGSU. It completely changed my life. You become a different person with different perspectives and a new worldview. It’s the reason I applied to be a Fulbright Scholar.”
- Spring graduate Bailey Price (2020 Cohort) spent six months at the University of Salzburg in Austria. She was named a Fulbright Scholar, one of the most prestigious academic honors in the U.S., and will teach English in the Czech Republic in the 2024-25 academic year.
Updated: 09/13/2024 11:54AM