WATCH: BGSU Falcon Golf and Pickleball Classic supports students in the Thompson Working Families Scholarship Program on their path to earning a college degree

On Cleveland NBC affiliate WKYC, BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers and student Dominick Hall recently shared how the annual event helps Thompson Scholars from Ohio and beyond achieve a college education

In a recent interview on Cleveland NBC affiliate WKYC-TV, Bowling Green State University President Rodney K. Rogers and fourth-year student Dominick Hall highlighted how the Thompson Working Families Scholarship Program continues to help students from Ohio and beyond earn a college degree to support their life and career goals.

During the Aug. 10 conversation, President Rogers and Hall, a Thompson Achiever Scholar and dual business major from Cleveland, sat down with anchors Betsy Kling and Jay Crawford, both of whom are BGSU alums, to discuss how the unique scholarship program is keeping education accessible for students from working families and the life changing impact that donors can make in collaboration with Bowling Green to support the program through giving and events like the Falcon Golf and Pickleball Classic.

Since its creation four years ago, the Falcon Golf and Pickleball Classic has raised a total of $250,000 for the Thompson Working Families Scholarship Program at BGSU.

This year's classic will take place on Monday, Sept. 14, at Westwood County Club in Rocky River, Ohio, near Cleveland, with opportunities remaining to both play in and sponsor the event.

"It's a huge opportunity," Hall said about his scholarship during the interview on WKYC. "I really don't have as much financial debt going on with the scholarship, and I've been able to [positively] impact my academic and social life. It's given me a lot of really positive resources."

Established at BGSU in 2014 by alumni Robert ’55, ’06 (Hon.) and Ellen (Bowen) '54, ’06 (Hon.) Thompson, the Thompson Working Families Scholarship Program is one of the largest non-endowed scholarship programs of its kind in the nation.

With an innovative public-private philanthropic partnership approach, the program ensures all parties are invested in student success. Bowling Green is committed to matching the required Thompson scholarship funding, dollar for dollar, through University dollars and donor support for each student and ensuring that students graduate in four years or less. As part of its commitment to accountability, BGSU has regularly exceeded the program's required graduation expectations.

Thompson Scholars at BGSU receive scholarship funding each academic year that covers most of their tuition while still requiring a financial investment in earning their degree. Scholars must also commit to accountability metrics from the Thompson Foundation, such as maintaining academic progress and completing required community service hours. For support on their educational journey, Thompson Scholars work with dedicated advisors and staff at Bowling Green, who provide wraparound services for students to ensure they stay on track to graduation.

As part of a historic announcement in 2024, the Thompsons expanded their philanthropic partnership with BGSU to provide nearly a quarter of a billion dollars in student scholarships at the University.

When combined with their past scholarship support, the Thompsons shared their intent to increase their contribution to scholarships at BGSU to total $121 million, with the possibility of an additional $30 million to extend the program past 2035. If realized, the Thompsons will have contributed $150 million to student scholarships at Bowling Green. The contribution is the largest in BGSU history and the largest single gift designated to student scholarships in the state of Ohio’s history.

When matched with BGSU and other donor contributions, the philanthropic impact will amount to nearly $250 million, supporting more than 6,200 students through the next decade.

For more information on the Thompson Working Families Scholarship Program at BGSU and to get involved, visit BGSU.edu/thompson.