$1 million allocated for new scholarships at BGSU

BOWLING GREEN, O.—The Bowling Green State University Alumni Association Board of Directors has announced it is allocating $1 million for merit scholarships for incoming freshmen students.

The initial gift from the alumni board will be $500,000. An additional $500,000 is being offered as a challenge match for gifts from other alumni. The funds will support full tuition scholarships and $1,000 book awards annually for Alumni Laureate Scholars.

Among the largest and most prestigious scholarships offered at BGSU, the number of awards will vary each year. Board members have pledged to raise additional contributions for the scholarship endowment to boost the number of scholarships offered.

“The Alumni Laureate Scholars program is the centerpiece of what the Alumni Association wishes to accomplish–work in partnership with the University community and BGSU alumni on a variety of levels,” said Philip Ridolfi of Hudson, past president of the Alumni Association board.

“We are pleased to be able to offer students scholarships to BGSU and to offer alumni new opportunities for involvement. Financial support for Alumni Laureate Scholars is only one way to play a part. We hope our alumni will share life experiences with our scholars, act as mentors and work with their local high schools to help identify potential scholars,” Ridolfi said.

According to BGSU Admissions Director Gary Swegan, the new scholarships provide a merit-based program that has not previously been available in this breadth and depth. “This will provide students with an opportunity not only to attend BGSU but also to experience enriching leadership opportunities,” he said.

In addition to receiving renewable scholarship support to pay for tuition for up to four years, Alumni Laureate Scholars will take part in leadership workshops, community activities, and meetings with key alumni leaders and volunteers.

Awarded solely on merit, the scholarships will be given to students who have demonstrated skills in leadership, scholarship and citizenship, excelled in and outside the classroom and shown personal integrity, breadth of involvement and achievement.

To be considered, students must be accepted to BGSU as first-year freshmen, have a 3.5 grade point average in high school, an ACT score at or above 27, or a score of 1100 or above on the SAT. Scholarship candidates also must complete an essay, document their leadership experience and be recommended for the scholarship.

The first scholarships will be awarded for the 2003-04 academic year.

Applications must be obtained by Nov.15 and must be submitted by Dec.1. For more information or to obtain an application packet, contact Montique Cotton, assistant director of alumni affairs, BGSU Alumni Affairs Office, Bowling Green, Ohio 43403; phone 419-372-2701 or email alumni@bgnet.bgsu.edu.

(Posted October 8, 2002)