Marketing & Communications

Senior Kate Wagener comes from a Falcon family. Her siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins are all BGSU graduates. So when it was time to pick a college, it wasn’t a hard decision.

The Maumee native is now getting ready to say goodbye to BGSU. She graduates this month with a degree in tourism, leisure and event planning. Her ultimate goal is to get a job in athletics event coordinating.

Wagener did two practicums at the Stroh Center, working in the ticket office and with Stroh Center manager Ben Spence helping to coordinate the first two rounds of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, concerts and games.

Away from BGSU, she worked at Wood Lane Residential Services assisting people with developmental disabilities.

“I volunteered there my freshman year through the Chapman Learning Community and I just loved it. Through them I got involved with Special Olympics.”

This past summer Wagener coached Special Olympians in volleyball, bocce ball, track and field, softball and golf. She also traveled to Columbus for the state games and watched her volleyball team win a gold medal.

“Definitely going to Columbus with them was the highlight of my experience. The kids were so excited—it was great. People with disabilities from all over the state were there. It was one big community and I loved that. It wasn’t a job for me—it was hanging out and playing sports with them. I’d love to do it again.”

Wagener says for her, extracurricular activities at BGSU are what really connected her to the school.

“I was involved with the club soccer team and it was one of my best decisions in college, being involved with the University. I made so many friends. All around it was a great experience. I don’t regret anything. I enjoyed my time and it was one of the best decisions of my life to come here.”

 (Posted December 10, 2012 )