BOWLING GREEN — For 200 freshman Falcons, it was a fabulous Friday indeed.

The Bowling Green State University students found out they were selected for the Thompson Working Families Scholarship program, receiving $11,000 each academic year, which amounts to about 75 percent of tuition.

The students make up the first cohort of Thompson Achiever Scholars since alumni Robert and Ellen Thompson announced in May their intent to give, in total, $121 million toward scholarships at BGSU. The renewable scholarship covers nearly all of a student's remaining tuition and is awarded to undergraduates from working families who demonstrate high academic success during their first year at BGSU, as well as financial need. The total amount for this class is $6.6 million.

After a welcome from President Rodney Rogers in University Hall, the students ripped open the envelopes containing the scholarship announcements and started cheering.

“Bob and Ellen Thompson are investing in you,” President Rogers said. “You are our future teachers, engineers, aviators, business leaders, educators, nurses. They believe in your future. They believe that you are going to go out and have amazing careers and an amazing life.”

Nancy Brown, a Clay High School graduate from Oregon, was openly crying after getting the news. She’s a double major in arts and communication.

“This is a big deal for my family,” she said through tears.

Ms. Brown had cobbled together scholarships for her freshman year from the university and her father’s work, and had hustled all summer to save money from her drive-in theater and day-care jobs.

“I was going to have to pay full price next year, and I didn’t know what I was going to do,” the freshman said. “I applied to as many scholarships as I could, this one being the biggest one. It’s just so emotional.”

Adam Taylor, of Fremont, said he did not mind some strings attached to the scholarship, which requires community service, a high grade point average, and graduation in four years.

“That’s a fair trade,” he said with a grin.

The film production major said he would now try to save money from his Kroger job for a fuel-efficient vehicle. The commuter student is currently driving a gas-guzzling 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe between his Fremont home and campus.

“This means I can go forward without stressing about finances. I can focus on learning instead of work,” Mr. Taylor said.

Madeleine Campbell, of Beaver Creek, Ohio, is studying studio art — and also serving bagels to pay for college. The tuition gift will allow her to focus on her major, continue to play flute in the marching band, and work in the summers at Einstein Bros. Bagels. She will also be a resident adviser in a residence hall next school year.

“I’m a triplet, so my parents, there was no way they would be able to help all of us,” Ms. Campbell said.

The tuition will also give financial relief to Anaya Foster’s mother, who was paying her tuition.

“It will keep the cost for her down, because she’s also the main provider for my household, so it’s a lot on her,” said Ms. Foster, of Bedford, Ohio, whose major is interior design.

She said she’s especially appreciative of the mentorship aspect of the Thompson program. Every Thompson scholar receives personalized guidance, including regular check-ins with advisers.

“I love making connections with people, so I’m glad I’ll have someone to talk to if I’m ever struggling,” Ms. Foster said.

Eva Cortes, a journalism major, immediately called home to Olmsted Falls, Ohio, to tell her parents and three siblings the news.

“It means everything,” she said of the scholarship. “My family has a lot of children — a lot — and it’s a big struggle to get everyone into school.”

The public-private partnership behind the Thompson Working Families Scholarship program was first launched in 2014. Through the Thompson Foundation, BGSU is required to match the Thompson funds.

The Thompsons in May announced the expansion of their scholarship program through 2035. When matched with university and other donor contributions, the philanthropic impact will amount to nearly $250 million, supporting more than 6,200 students through the next decade.

The Thompsons’ recent contribution is the largest in university history and the largest single gift designated to student scholarships ever in the state of Ohio, according to the university.

The four-year graduation rate among Thompson Scholars has averaged 89 percent during the past decade.

First Published March 21, 2025, 10:17 p.m.