Ohio Alumni Donate $121M for Student Scholarships

Two hundred first-year students gathered at Bowling Green State University on March 20, not knowing their financial futures were about to change forever. They walked out with a combined $6.6 million in scholarships that will cover most of their tuition for the next three years.

Bob and Ellen Thompson, who met as students at BGSU decades ago, are behind this life-changing gift. The couple pledged $121 million through 2035 to help working families afford college without crushing debt.

Avery Lehky, a communications disorders major from Reynoldsburg, applied for the scholarship on a whim. She thought her chances were slim. "I'm paying for college mostly by myself, and debt is kind of a scary topic," Lehky said. "Now I can worry less and focus more on academics."

The Thompson Working Families Scholarship gives students $11,000 each year, covering most of the $14,342 annual tuition for in-state students. Recipients must maintain good grades and complete community service hours, turning financial help into a tool for building better communities.

The program started in 2014 with a simple but powerful mission: help high-achieving students from working families overcome financial barriers. When matched with university and donor funds, the Thompsons' $121 million gift becomes nearly $250 million in total impact.

The Ripple Effect

Over 1,063 students are currently Thompson Scholars. Last academic year, they maintained an average 3.59 GPA while contributing 26,532 hours of community service to their neighborhoods. The program requires that at least 80% of recipients graduate within four years, and students are hitting that mark.

For Lehky, the community service requirement was a bonus, not a burden. "I'm a big fan of volunteering and have been doing it for years, so it really aligned with my values," she said.

The scholarship takes what the Thompsons call an "accountability approach" to financial aid. Students must meet the program halfway, covering remaining costs and staying on track academically. It's partnership, not a handout.

This latest announcement brings the total to 6,200 students who will benefit over the next decade. That's 6,200 fewer graduates starting their careers buried in debt, free to pursue master's degrees, buy homes, or give back to their own communities.

One couple's gratitude for their education is now opening doors for thousands of students who thought college might be out of reach.