Recent Bowling Green State University alum turns theme park passion into global career

The unique partnership between Bowling Green State University and Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is turning a passion for theme parks into corporate success for graduates of the nation’s only Bachelor of Science program in resort and attraction management (RAAM).

For Mason, Ohio, native Evan Ponstingle '25, the program turned a backyard view of the Kings Island skyline into a dream career. Now a digital content associate for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), Ponstingle credits his BGSU degree with launching his career.

"The RAAM program was a natural fit," Ponstingle said. "It offered experiential learning opportunities at various amusement parks and provided me with the necessary skills to complete multiple internships as an undergraduate."

The one-of-a-kind program prepares students for meaningful careers in the expanding resort and attraction industry – expected to reach $119 billion over the next decade – including theme and amusement park operations, resort management, retail, marketing, finance and more.

The average annual starting salary for RAAM graduates is more than $50,000, with some students earning as much as $80,000 within three years of graduation, said Swathi Ravichandran, Ph.D., professor and founding director of the BGSU RAAM program.

As a student, RAAM offered a course that allowed Ponstingle to study abroad at Alton Towers and Thorpe Park in the U.K., and Disneyland Paris in France. Additionally, RAAM provided him with the opportunity to attend the IAAPA Expo three times as a student. These opportunities allowed him to combine his international experience with IAAPA's sessions on industry insights and trends from around the world.

“The ‘I’ in IAAPA stands for international, because we are a global association with members around the world,” he said. “Through my time studying abroad, I gained international perspectives that have been very helpful in my current role."

In his current role with the association, Ponstingle writes and produces content for membership newsletters, website features and Funworld Magazine. He recently directed, wrote and hosted a video story about the opening of “Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare” at Kings Island, going behind the scenes to explore the theater’s animatronics.

“Working for IAAPA is surreal,” he said. “I would never have guessed when I was attending my first IAAPA Expo in 2022, that I would be working for the association and helping tell the stories of attractions all over the world.”

The Kings Island project brought Ponstingle’s career full circle. As a high school sophomore working in merchandise at his hometown park, he frequently fielded questions from guests about the history of Kings Island.

“Not only did we not sell any books about Kings Island’s history, but no one had ever written such a book,” Ponstingle said. “I decided to take it upon myself and deliver guests what they were looking for.”

In 2019 and 2020, he interviewed 41 executives spanning Kings Island’s history, sharing their stories of the park’s development. Ponstingle published “Kings Island: A Ride Through Time” in 2021.

“The book was a massive undertaking, but well worth it in the end,” he said. “I’m really proud of the way the book turned out, and the opportunities it has provided me within the industry.”

Combining his book's success with his BGSU education, Ponstingle’s journey through the amusement park industry is a direct reflection of the RAAM program's commitment to student success.

“RAAM exceeded my expectations through hands-on experience and endless support,” Ponstingle said. “Everyone in the program empowered me to think outside the box, encouraged me to keep going and helped me figure out my career.

“I can’t imagine being where I am today without RAAM.”

Ponstingle leaves behind a legacy to support future RAAM students, while bridging the physical gap between students on main campus and students in Sandusky. Prior to graduation, he co-founded Resort and Attraction Industry Leaders (RAIL), a student organization open to all majors, that allows members to benefit from industry guest speakers, site visits and behind-the-scenes opportunities at Cedar Point, Kalahari and more. Since its creation, RAIL has grown from a few students to more than 100 members.

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