Our Scholars
Thompson Scholars have many opportunities to get involved within our program, at BGSU and in the community. We are so proud to share their successes and achievements!
"By receiving the Thompson Scholarship, a weight was immediately lifted off my shoulders, which has allowed me to participate more, be more active and make more friends throughout my time here."
– Hayden Hildreth (A2019)
Student Accomplishments
Academic achievement is at the heart of the Thompson Working Families Scholarship, and we are equally proud of our scholar's community accomplishments!
The best part of being Freddie Falcon is the ability to change someone's day for the better ten, sometimes one hundred times in a day. I enjoyed belonging to and forming a connection with so many organizations. Attending these organizations and events gave me so much perspective on what students are capable of doing at BGSU and showed me that each individual plays a unique part in making BGSU home for so many! BGSU is the home that I love!
- Brenden Dean
My experience with USG has enabled me to give back to campus and the BG community. Thank you for welcoming me into an amazingly friendly community that is determined to achieve positive change.
- Nolan McHugh
I love music and telling a story, and I feel most in my element when performing. The thrill is amazing, and it’s made even better knowing no matter what happens you are the most prepared you can be.
- Andrew Puschel
Studying abroad has created opportunities I never expected," said Fawcett. "Taking classes in another country and living in an entirely different environment brings challenges and eye opening experiences everyday. Being able to adapt and thrive in a new place where the language is different from your own is one of the most empowering decisions I’ve ever made.
- Rachel Fawcett
The Marvin Center for Student Leadership has changed my life," said Javana. "It helped me find a larger voice and taught me how to be a more effective leader. Working with a professional marketing team was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and was so fun. The people who helped me through the process were amazing to work with.
- Javana Joyce
It is truly amazing the impact Freddie and Frieda have on people. Their faces light up with excitement and most people are always happy to see us. That’s what being a mascot is all about - spreading school spirit and making people’s days better.
- Danny Howard
Scholar Service Highlights
One on the most important aspects of the Thompson Working Families Scholarship is to help our scholars cultivate hearts committed to serving others, just as Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have done for so many.
Service Trip
In March 2021, a group of 11 scholars and three staff members traveled to Detroit for our first-ever Thompson service trip. While there, we worked with Cass Community Social Services. This Detroit-based agency has a person-centered philosophy and is dedicated to providing food, housing, health services and job programs for those in need.
Food and Hygiene Products Drive
In both the fall of 2021 and the Spring of 2022, Thompson Scholars collected and donated food and hygiene items for the BGSU Food Pantry, Dean of Students Grab N Go Bags, and Brown Bag Food Project
Fall 2021 (October-November)
3,019 food and hygiene items
Spring 2022 (March-April)
4,175 food and hygiene items
Green Game Day Cleanup
"Green Game Day" is a collaboration between BGSU Athletics and Campus Sustainability to reduce waste at every home football game. Our scholars volunteered in large groups, which served as an opportunity for them to give back to the campus community and meet other scholars while serving.
The Green Game Day cleanup was a fun experience that allowed me to meet so many new people from campus, as well as help the community of BG. It was a small gesture that helped in more ways than one, and it was super fun.
-Bailey Smith (A2021)
Dog Toy Making Group Service
In November 2020, the Student Leadership Team hosted a group service event where our scholars had the opportunity to create cat and dog toys out of old t-shirts for the local animal shelters and humane society. Over 50 scholars showed up to help create over 100 cat and dog toys.
Congratulations and best wishes to our Thompson graduates! We are so proud of you and look forward to everything you will accomplish as BGSU Alumni! Please stay in touch.
2016 Cohort
Abdijibar Abas
Dakota Cowper
Michael Davis
T2019 Cohort
Karlea Wagner
2019 Cohort
Maggie Cochrane
Annelise Gomez
Brittney Le
2021 Cohort
Lexy Comer
A2020 Cohort
Grace Foltz
Kaileigh Oldfield
Taylor Ramos
Genesis Salone
A2021 Cohort
Karlee Augustus
Cade Clem
Nichole Hood
Khainen Moran
Macy Ross
Samantha Sendral
2020 Cohort
Jayden Donald
Nevaeh Haygood
2021 Cohort
Chloe Haas
Cole Leach
A2020 Cohort
Lindsey Roach
A2021 Cohort
David Cox
Kaitlyn Elkins
Travis Sauerwein
Andrew Warner
A2022 Cohort
Ashley Chisnell
Danni Cruse
Lova Fitzgerald
Grace Gamble
Elizabeth Ottney
Madisyn Pelletier
Hannah Turpening
Emily Zenda
A2023 Cohort
Blake Pierce
T2022 Cohort
Lauren Okuley
2016 Cohort
Micah Ellsberry
Oshionna Lee-Hicks
Jacob Rodriguez
Ryan Talbert
T2018 Cohort
Joseph Krause
Catherine Sestokas
Rachel Suzor
A2018 Cohort
Colton Battin
Dylan Byers
Anna Fargo
Caitlin Lewis
Jordan Parker
Simon Stock
Shelby Stoneman
Seth Ketchum
A2019 Cohort
Hannah Foos
2019 Cohort
Lillian Oberschlake
Aria Piekos
2020 Cohort
Emily Abraham
Iyana Banks
Carly Caywood
Alicia Charron
Meghan Craney
Lauren Deutschman
Dareena El-Far
Kelsey Ferguson
Ben Haselman
Laney Marstellar
Araya Musselman
2021 Cohort
Kailey Brownfield
Khloe Olin
A2020 Cohort
Ella Breidenbaugh
A2021 Cohort
Sean Brenneman
Denando Dante
Alyvia DeVore
Christopher Gallagher
Trinity Gardner
Liam Harper
Payton Houck
Ashlyn Lawrence
Noah McElhose
Hannah McKinniss
Noah Schwepe
Maria Signorino
Melanie Walker
T2022 Cohort
Isabella Garrett
2020 Cohort
Cykia Carter
Colin Daniels
Brody Stultz
2021 Cohort
Kat Beamer
Nathanael Bentz
Lydia Dill
Luke Konecny
Magnus Makinze
Danielle Metz
Emma Montgomery
Trenton Moore
Angela Reinhart
James (Parker) Schaar
Sam Shafrath
Abby Stevens
2022 Cohort
Miah Miller
Jessica Nye
Siara Preston
Samantha Ratliff
2023 Cohort
McKenna Clark
A2021 Cohort
Alexander Jones
Vincent Maletz
Miranda Minchew
A2022 Cohort
Carson Bilinovich
Parker Brandt
Max Buddelmeyer
Reagan Carter
Sara Cavin
Marissa Deeter
Sofie Lowe
Payton Rodriguez
Dayna Schimmoeller
Kylie Zabielski
A2023 Cohort
Kendra Harrelson
Maddie Main
Austin Pelfrey
2016 Cohort
Rachel Henry
2017 Cohort
William Allen
Sharnay Calloway
Gayge Carroll
Jace Clemens
Breanna Ellerbrock
Alexandria Freehoffer
Elizabeth Groth
Tessa Haselman
Janae Johnson
Patrick Kinnear
Adreanna Klepec
Veronica Knott
Jordyn Kuemerle
Cecilia Kuss-Shivler
Kortni Martin
Kyrsten Nagypaul
Sierra Nathans
Gracyn Stechschulte
A2018 Cohort
Marra Aldredge
Sana Ali
Samuel Beaver
KiaLynne Bland
Julia Bohland
Hayley Boysel
Nicholas Carlin
Capri Catania
Angeline Cirino
Ashley Compston
Kate Cook
Charles Copeland
Deborah Corson
Mason Dicke
Joshua Filips
Cameron Flynn
Ahmad Ghanim
Grant Goodman
Quinn Gordon
Trevor Hensley
Zolee Howard
Morgan Jaquis
Meadow Kaye
Bradley Keating
Erin Lynch
Emma Marsh
Hannah Natzke
Julia Orshoski
Christine Painter
Bailee Pihlblad
Amanda Pobega
Natalie Ray
Sara Ripploh
Cameron Rufus
Lauren Scherette
Brynna Schroeder
Audrey Schweers
Scarlet Sevits
Corynn Spahr
Griffin Spilman
Tamarind Turner
Jessie Walton
Blaire Wehrley
Jacqueline Weir
Clarke Wheeler
Trey Yates
2018 Cohort
Madyson Aguinaga
Cassandra Clark
Kassidy Fark
Taylor Holtman
Ryan Olee
Taylor Zeller
T2019 Cohort
Justin Bialecki
Lauryn Boudreaux
Haley Hawkins
William Maier
Kimberly McNeil
Mackenzie Miller
Allison Peneff
Trey Talabac
Lorenzo Zamora
A2019 Cohort
Alaina Brubaker
Morgan Espelage
Cali McQueen
Hattie Meyer
Lauren Tucker
Martha Yost
Reid Zura
2019 Cohort
Jalena Cozart
A2020 Cohort
Annabella Voska
2019 Cohort
Cameron Willis
2020 Cohort
Bella Bigler
David Bils
Luke Bontrager
Alex Borger
Hannah Boyle
Allison Brown
Eli Chambers
Alyssa Chy
Ivan Cobb
Emma Coleson
Kenzie Davis
Aaron Davis
Kyndal Davison
Brigid Devitt
Blake Dippold
Anna Doucette
Harley Dunlap
Carol Ann Durbin
Bethany Durkin
Abbey Eggleton
Allysia Eicher
Brenna Elston
Sophia Encina
Ben Evers
Erin Furlong
Abby Gabe
Ciera Gambrell
Kaiden Goins
Briece Graham
Eve Gross
Raegan Hall
Josh Hanssen
Heather Hardin
Ellis Harlan
Kayla Helman
Jenna Herchler
Julissa Hernandez
Mason Holland
Dawson Holt
Becca Hopkins
Steven Iwanek
Jaden Junge
Krislynn King
Abby Kraynak
Alyssa Lago
Brie Lewis
Hayley Lewis
Raymond Lin
Maddie Loiacono
Jackson Long
Hannah Matlock
Breanna McCombs
Cameron Mocny
Briyanna Moore
Alex Moore
Sage Neidbalson
Allissa Pow
Ashley Pratt
Bailey Price
Andrew Puschel
Gina Radziwon
Eli Raymer
Megan Recker
Lilly Reimer
Kaylee Ries
Austin Rogers
Andrew Ross
Alexis Sampson
Caroline Sayer
Lexi Schmiesing
Gavin Schulze
Quentin (Q) Shalawylo
Noah Shepherd
Bailey Shrum
Claire Smith
Rylee Spain
Lauren Speier
Maggie Spicer
Carrie Stetler
Sarah Stoner
Liam Sullivan
Noel Taylor
Nathan Thebeau
Riley Tucker
Trinity Valencic
Laney Van Cleef
Taylor Vanek
Rhiannon Wallace
Zachary Wells
Khoal Williams
Caitlyn Wimsett
Isabella Zachary
Nina Zimmerman
Gabriella Zucchero-Hatchett
Cohort 2021
Kaitlin Cesa
Casey Clark
Natalee Eck
Zach Lewis
Charlize Mescher-Foreman
Jon Mong
Emily Petachi
Aby Connell Rodriguez
Colleen Rotterman Ryan
Anna Smith
2022 Cohort
Jessica Gower
A2020 Cohort
Alana Smith
A2021 Cohort
Laura Artuso
Mattia Bailey
Brandon Basilio
Melina Bell
Paige Blauvelt
Alexis Bowen
Noah Brickner
Grace Bryant
John Callahan
Josilyn Campbell
Joe Castellano
Bobby Conarroe
Ashlee Cook
Isabelle Cooper
Sophia Corbissero
Abigail Cox
Jessica Cramer
Riley Dale
Emily de la Vega
Makenzie Detrick
Gavin Dukowitz
Gino Duncan
Alec Edelbrock
Rory Farmer
Sydney Gerken
Summer Gilkey
Mariana Gonzalez
Anna Greenhagen
Ryan Harless
Kenna Harrington
Perry Hastings
Sammie Hellwig
Shaye Hemminger
Mi'kaila Henderson
Lexi Herring
Jai'shanti Hicks
Jake Hilleary
John Jewitt
Ava Johnston
Damyon Juntunen
Sophie King
Grace Knitz
Melissa Kunkler
Randee Kyle
Emma Landals
Taylor Leachman
Austin Littlejohn
Ashley Lorenz
Ashley Lynch
Aaron Martin
Kodey Miller
Jacilyn Millhouse
Lizzy Mills
Savannah Morris
Colin Murphy
Natalie Nester
Jacob Osborne
Rienne Perna
Kionna Pierce
Spencer Prenger
Katrina Prunty
Quincy Rackley
Ghost Reynolds
Kylie Rowe
Grace Schneider
Ashtyn Schneider
Aubree Schroeder
Noah Shawver
Damon Sherry
Eddie Stevanus
Drew Stiles
Aleisa Tobin
Austin Tron
Nolan Vernon
Sara Wadsworth
Mya Wallace
Margaret Weber
Haley Whetstone
Hannah Wilkinson
Taylor Wise
Makenzie Woodruff
A2022 Cohort
Sara Camick
Alexis Craig-Baker
Audrey Gabriele
Connor Harrison
Brady Jacobs
Allie Loparo
Jacy Mox
Tomi Starcher
Blake Vanderpool
A2023 Cohort
Clementina Ortiz
T2021 Cohort
Andrea Hanway
Caleb Keim
T2022 Cohort
Layne Claudy
Sada Jillo
Lexis Lewis
Tyne Rosebrock
2020 Cohort
Helena Katakis
2021 Cohort
Marco Abbo
Abigail Amundson
Erin Anderson
Morgan Ashbaugh
Julianne Bailey
Gabby Barcus
Josh Barda
Greta Bauder
Kaylee Beavers
Eric Berndt
Sydney Bezich
Kaity Brittain
Camara Brown
Benjamin Buathier
Bo Bucher
Izzy Cain
Elias Calloway
Cariana Carrillo
Cameron Chisholm
Trey Clark
Aidan Creager
Jacob Crespo
Caitlyn Daube
Cherylle Dave
Valerie Deehr
Tyler Doyle
Bailey Drummond
Dakota Dukett
Emily Dunlap
Abi Figurski
Chloe Freeman
Kayla Fruth
Alexa Fulk
Logan Gerardot
Morgan Goodchild
Christian Gunnoe
Morgan Gunther
Spencer Hajarian
Ayla Halbeisen
Daniel Hartman
Holland Hayes
Grace Heitkamp
Paige Hellems
Sarah Higginbotham
Isaac Hoffer
Caleb Hogrefe
Hunter Jackson
Raj Jeffries
Kadin Johnson
Faith Jones
Zsofia Kacsandi
Melissa Kinzel
George Klepec
Kelly Knodel
Hannah Koch
Noah Kovin
Delaney Krueger
Dylan Lawson
Dara Lewis
Caitlin McComas
Matthew McGeath
Cass McGee
Kenna Miller
Molly Moreland
Nat Mykolayevych
Halie O'Loughlin
Zach Ortega
Ryan Panik
Vic Picoult
Ella Ramsey
Kayleigh Rands
Asher Raymond
Ethan Riddell
Marcos Sanchez
Frank Sanzo
Maritza Scott
Kelli Shivers
Mitchell Shook
Faith Smith
Kassidy Stanford
Piper Stewart
Rebecca Strack
Kaleb Suarez
Ethan Tanzillo
Aaron Taylor
Blake Thomas
Ronnie Thompson
Jamari Walker
Julianne Wallenhorst
Brian Wegrzyn
Hannah Wesbecher
Eric Wodzisz
Alex Wood
Danielle Wood
Olivia Zale
Reagan Zehnder
2022 Cohort
Helaina Behm
Isabella Behm
Sam Blackburn
Kayla Brickner
Jason Buschur
Abbie Campana
Adam Cartwright
Tayler Fuller
Brisa Garcia
Aleaha Glenn
Nikolas King
Lauren Koslosky
Chloe Lloyd
Erica Post
Shane Romano
Alivia Rowe
Benjamin Smith
Samuel Smith
Sydney Speicher
Carys Thomas
2023 Cohort
Ethan Kirk
A2021 Cohort
Mikayla Collins
Grace Kirk
Ashley Mahaffy-Davis
Allison Mutti
A2022 Cohort
Sonja Alvira
Geizi Amon
Samantha Avila
Elisabeth Baende
Emily Barbuto
Kylie Beagle
Mari Bonnice
Graham Bowerman
Nathan Bowers
Samantha Brewer
Courtney Buck
Samantha Burnett
Sierra Cantley
Emily Chisholm
Tyler Clem
CeCe Coleman
Jerry Craddock
Hayleigh Creps
Teyah Cummins
Gavin D'Amato
Jadin Davis
Michelina Davis
Ashlyn Deeter
Gabrielle Downard
Kenna Downey
Nathan Droesch
Allison Dwenger
Jacob Everly
Raven Farnsworth
Denver Ferguson
Ethan Fontana
Nykera Gardner
Brooklyn Gay
Chandler Giesswein
Michaela Hamblin
Breanna Harshman
Kaylea Hensley
Brittney Herbe
Aubrey Hill
Sierra Hoffman
Brooke Houmard
Carly Householder
Brooke Hubbard
Emilee Inkrott
Arianna Jeric
Matthew Johnson
Lauren Klees
Hallie Knorr
Katherine Kukura
Kaylie Latez
Anna Lipinski
Ashley Loughridge
Josh Lyphout
Abigail Mann
Anastasia Mathews
Alex Mauter
Eleanor McAllister
Grace Metz
Imari Mitchell-Williams
Samantha Momeyer
Kennedy Moore
Jasper Moore
Samone Morrow Bodiford
Izzy Mraz
Joseph Munger
Jason Naylor
Leah Parish
Raelyn Parsell
Kylee Potts
Claire Puthoff
Isela Reyes
Keith Richmond
Sean Roberts
Ashley Rohrs
Maggie Rosenfeld
Daisy Schwind
Dylan Selhorst
Kennedy Shawver
Cassie Shroyer
Zion Singletary
Ashlie Spencer
Peyton Spencer
James Stillings
Jakayla Strozier
David Timm
Ashlynn Treen
Jada Tucker
Kayleigh Vance
Josephine Varwig
Grace Villing
Bailey Weaver
Maverick Widener
Maia Wilms
AJ Wright
Jazmyn Zurcher
A2023 Cohort
Gyllien Anderson
Natalie Ball
Chris Britenburg
Katelyn Burnham
Mathew Elchert
Jay Grummel
Owen Hendricks
Hailey Hendrix
Jozlyn Jones
Cori King
Marina King
Carissa Meyer
Kendall Miklos
Marissa Plouck
Peytan Rentz
Weston Schroeder
Hallie Smith
Ren Steedley
Alyvia Steggeman
Alex Voght
Joslyn White
A2024 Cohort
Abby Jones
Summer Rorrer
Graduate pictures & quotes
Being a Thompson Scholar means being part of a community that values perseverance, academic excellence and giving back. It represents an opportunity to grow not only as a student but also as a leader and community member, while being supported by a network that genuinely cares about my success.” – Marissa Plouck (A2023) Spring 2025 graduate
I wouldn’t trade the experience I had here at BGSU for anything else. The advisors and staff have made the ‘hard’ part of college much easier.” – Chandler Giesswein (A2022)Spring 2025 graduate in the tourism, hospitality and event management program
From leading student organizations and giving a TEDx talk, to launching a business through the Hatch Program and preparing to begin my career at JPMorgan Chase, every step of my journey has been uplifted by the Thompson Scholarship. Being a Thompson Scholar means being part of something greater than myself – a legacy of perseverance, impact and gratitude that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.” – Geizi Amon (A2022)Spring 2025 graduate
I have had several volunteer experiences through Thompson that I was able to talk about during my interviews and be able to showcase my love for helping the community around me as well as give back in any way I can.” Sierra Hoffman (A2022)Spring 2025 graduate. She will be attending The Ohio State University next fall in its Doctor of Physical Therapy program
Kassidy Stanford (2021), along with Ronnie Thompson (2021) and Trenton Moore (2021), served as Summer Link leaders. Kassidy and Ronnie graduated in spring and Trenton in December. “The Thompson program was the highlight of my time at BGSU!” Kassidy said. “My identity as a Thompson Scholar has greatly contributed to my satisfaction with my experience at BGSU. The program provided me support and helped me to find my place.”
Spring graduate Chloe Lloyd (2022) received the 2025 President's Award for Distinguished Service, given to an outstanding senior who has demonstrated significant contributions to leadership and service in our community. Chloe will be working for Owens-Corning in the Human Resources Development Program. “BGSU has held such a special place in my heart, and I cannot be more thankful for the recognition of countless hours of work and dedication spent behind the scenes. This award is a testament to the support of so many. To my family, friends, advisors and so many others– thank you for choosing to pay it forward and invest in the future, to invest in me.”
Spring graduates Danielle Wood (2021) and Julianne Wallenhorst (2021) pose together at the End-of-Year Celebration. They are both former leaders on our Student Leadership Team and graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA. They both have jobs lined up prior to graduation. Danielle will be joining Swagelok as a commercial career development associate. Julianne will be joining Nestle in its marketing development program. “Being a Thompson Scholar means showing up for others, yourself, initiatives and goals that you care about,” Julianne said. “Being a Thompson Scholar is an honor and something that will not leave me as I walk across the graduation stage. I have learned so much through this program and discovered true passions.”
Spring graduate Jazmyn Zurcher (A2022) served as the assistant director of planning for the 2025 Ziggython/Dance Marathon. Jazmyn and her committee put together the main event, a 10-hour dance marathon to raise money for the Toledo Children's Hospital. “I really love helping people, getting to hear their stories and see how our work benefits those who need it. Being a part of this organization has been so rewarding, and I have loved every minute of it.” Jazmyn also served as the alumni relations co-chair for our Thompson Scholars Student Leadership Team.
Reagan Zehnder (2021) served as secretary for the Student Leadership Team for the fall semester. “As a former committee co-chair and now exec team member, being on the leadership team has helped me to hone my skills in organization, team management, efficient event planning, communication and more!” Reagan transitioned out of the role as her internship with WTVG, the ABC news affiliate in Toledo, ramped up. She started out as a digital intern but took on the exciting challenge of becoming a producing intern, covering the weekend evening shows. Post-graduation, Reagan joined WTVG full time.
Julianne Bailey (2021) served as the 2024-25 president for the Student Leadership Team. “I have been on the Thompson Scholars Student Leadership Team since my first year on campus, and it has been a highlight ever since. I have made such close friendships while also developing my own skills.” Next year, Julianne will be getting her master’s in psychological sciences at American University in Washington, D.C.
Updated: 06/30/2025 08:09AM