Falcons on the Move
This animation represents all living alumni from 1920 to 2017. Our 170,000+ falcon alumni continue to raise the bar and prove through their successes that BGSU is a premier learning community. The achievements of our graduates throughout the world pave the way for students of tomorrow to grow, lead and succeed.
The World Needs Dreamers
Antonio Smith received a full scholarship to attend BGSU, funded by Dr. Peggie Hollingsworth ’71 and Dr. Charles Smith through the Sidney A. Ribeau President’s Leadership Academy. Dr. Hollingsworth and Dr. Smith have served as role models in his life, supporting him with his BGSU scholarship and personally as mentors and friends. They’ve inspired him to value education, work hard, and give back. Antonio Smith now attends medical school at Wayne State University.
Watch Video >Antonio Smith
Class of 2012
Exercise Science
Class of 2012
Exercise Science
Exercise Science
"One thing that Dr. Hollingsworth and Dr. Smith both instilled in me was to be a gift that keeps on giving."
The World Needs Creators
Lori Steele-Contorer, founder and CEO of Everyone Counts, is recognized as the world's top expert in election modernization, pioneering the adoption of software to make elections more accessible, affordable, transparent and secure. Her leadership in business, innovation and elections led to Lori to being named in 2013 to FORTUNE magazine's 10 Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs list, a winner of the San Diego Business Journal's Women Who Mean Business award, and inducted into BGSU’s Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame.
Watch Video >Lori Steele-Contorer
Class of 1986
Business
Class of 1986
Business
Business
"BGSU was the beginning of a journey that led my company to providing successful election administration and voting projects in over 165 countries throughout the world, as well as for the iconic Oscar and Emmy awards."
The World Needs Thinkers
Ben Zauski came to BGSU from Rochester, New York. Initially he thought he wanted to teach math, but after a few internships, Zauski decided that he wanted to find a job where he could work directly with big data. After graduation, he accepted a job in enterprise risk analytics with State Auto Insurance Companies, where he had completed an internship.
Ben Zauski
Class of 2016
Economics
Class of 2016
Economics
Economics
"The opportunities you get at BGSU are things you just can’t get anywhere else in the country."
The World Needs Dreamers
Eileen O’Neill said she can trace her enormous success to the “four R’s”—relationships, responsibility, risk taking and working “really, really hard.” O’Neill, the brains behind such hit shows as “19 Kids and Counting” and “The Little Couple,” truly paid her dues to reach the position of Global Group President of Discovery Studios. She started at Discovery Communications as an unpaid intern while earning a graduate degree in popular culture from the University and was hired by DCI’s networks operation department immediately upon graduation.
Watch Video >Eileen O'Neill
Class of 1990, 2014 (Hon)
Popular Culture
Class of 1990, 2014 (Hon)
Popular Culture
Popular Culture
"In a world attached to devices, it’s still human contact and relationships such as those developed at BGSU that are truly a key part of success."
The World Needs Dreamers
Jennifer Higdon’s life has been full of surprises. The BGSU alumna and composer admitted during her commencement address on Dec. 19, 2014, that much of her success, both personally and professionally, would likely have never happened had she stuck with her original plan at the University to become a professional flutist. Instead of playing in an orchestra, Higdon is one of America’s most acclaimed and most frequently performed living composers. Her Percussion Concerto won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Classical Composition in January 2010. Higdon also received the 2010 Pulitzer Prize in Music for her Violin Concerto.
Watch Video >Jennifer Higdon
Class of 1986, 2014 (Hon)
Music Performance
Class of 1986, 2014 (Hon)
Music Performance
Music Performance
"The ability to think beyond the norm, and beyond expectations, can make a lifetime of the 'amazing.'""
The World Needs Thinkers
As president and CEO of TriHealth Inc., John Prout leads more than 10,000 employees, 80 ambulatory locations, 300 employed physicians and 1,700 independent medical staff to improve the health and well-being of Ohio’s citizens. The organization operates the largest corporate health and fitness program in Greater Cincinnati, the largest not-for-profit hospice in the region, and an active medical research program. Prout also holds the position of president and CEO of TriHealth’s three hospitals, Good Samaritan, Bethesda North and Bethesda Butler County. In 2016, Prout was recognized for his achievements with the prestigious Donald R. Newkirk Award by the Ohio Hospital Association.
Watch Video >John Prout
Class of 1972
General Business
Class of 1972
General Business
General Business
"In addition to my own business education that put me on the road to success, I have a deep personal connection to the University as the grandson of BGSU’s third president, Frank J. Prout. Just as my grandfather guided the University during the tumultuous times of the Second World War, we need to support today’s leaders and students during a changing time in higher education."
The World Needs Leaders
A human development and family studies major from Detroit, Kevin Lewis is already passing on the gift of his BGSU education to younger students. Recently, he served as a residential mentor to 51 students in the Upward Bound program, which has a goal of assisting low-income and potential first-generation students by providing educational services and activities that will increase achievement in their secondary and postsecondary educational pursuits.
Watch Video >Kevin Lewis
Class of 2015
Human Development and Family Studies
Class of 2015
Human Development and Family Studies
Human Development and Family Studies
"I feel like I have the obligation to success because of all the people who believe in me at BGSU. Now, I feel like I also owe it to my Upward Bound students to set an example of striving for the best education that I can receive."
The World Needs Dreamers
Linda Davis Watters’ father was a sharecropper who moved to Ohio because he wanted a better future for his children. She arrived at BGSU with what she calls “nothing but a trunkload of ambition.” She is now vice president for government relations at John Hancock Insurance Company.
Watch Video >Linda Davis Watters
Class of 1975
Business
Class of 1975
Business
Business
"My degree is a ticket, and I’ve used that ticket to open up endless opportunities and possibilities."
The World Needs Heroes
Maddi Georgoff found her passion for service through the Chapman Learning Community at BGSU and received the national Newman Civic Fellows Award in recognition of her exceptional efforts. She developed Parent University for Toledo Public Schools and continues to look for ways to learn about and act upon social issues.
Watch Video >Maddi Georgoff
Class of 2015
Sociology
Class of 2015
Sociology
Sociology
"At BGSU, I learned that there is good to be done in the world, and it doesn’t have to be done alone."
The World Needs Leaders
Megan Largent credits the Alumni Laureate Scholarship program with providing her with the flexibility and freedom to access opportunities throughout campus, including becoming the 2015 president for the University Activities Organization. This, in turn, has allowed her to provide opportunities for involvement, leadership and service to other students on campus.
Watch Video >Megan Largent
Class of 2017
Event Management and Marketing
Class of 2017
Event Management and Marketing
Event Management and Marketing
"The supporters of my scholarship are Sean and Davita Frick and our relationship goes beyond just financial support. They have taught me how important it is to give back. I definitely want to keep that as a part of my life as well, so if I ever have the opportunity in the future to give back to BGSU, that’s something I definitely want to do."
The World Needs Teachers
Every day, Natalie Priwer gives every ounce of enthusiasm she has to students and fellow teachers at Aldine, an underserved public school in Texas. As a math skills specialist, Natalie uses her BGSU education to not only teach her students math, but to also help fellow teachers be the best teachers they can be. She is driven to improve the world and sees her role as changing lives for the better.
Watch Video >Natalie Priwer
Class of 2006
Integrated Mathematics
Class of 2006
Integrated Mathematics
Integrated Mathematics
"You never know what an inspired 11th grader might do with her life."
The World Needs Entrepreneurs
Two years after graduating from BGSU, Paul Hooker purchased the New York City-based luxury household linen importer SFERRA. He grew annual sales from $250,000 when he bought the business in 1977 to more than $30 million in 2011. Today SFERRA presents the most comprehensive range of luxury home textiles for the bed, bath and table worldwide.
Watch Video >Paul Hooker
Class of 1975
Selling and Sales Management
Class of 1975
Selling and Sales Management
Selling and Sales Management
"Bowling Green was everything. It opened every opportunity I have to this day."