BGSU receives largest gift
in university history - $27M to support student scholarships
The philanthropic Bowen Thompson family to date has given Bowling Green State University $46.9M, making them the largest donors in the school s history. Author: WTOL Newsroom Updated: 7:55 AM EDT April 28, 2021
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio Hundreds of students at Bowling Green State University have benefited from the philanthropic actions of a Michigan couple, and the legacy of Robert and Ellen (Bowen) Thompson endures with the largest gift in the university s history.
The $27 million gift to expand the Thompson Working Families Scholarship and other scholarship programs at the university was received in 2020, according to a news release from BGSU on Monday.
Michigan couple donates $19M in scholarship funds to Grand Valley State University
Updated Apr 28, 2021;
Posted Apr 28, 2021
Bob and Ellen Thompson stand for a posed photo with Grand Valley State University recipients of the Thompsons Working Families Scholarship at a 2019 event. (Photo provided by Grand Valley State University Communications)
Facebook Share
ALLENDALE, MI – A Michigan couple seeking to change lives through higher education has donated millions to universities in the Midwest, including a $19 million donation to Grand Valley State University to fund scholarships for students from working families.
Bob and Ellen Thompson’s latest financial gift, totaling $52 million, will support more than 5,200 students at GVSU, Saginaw Valley State University, Michigan Technological University and Bowling Green State University through the Thompson Working Families Scholarships, according to a Grand Valley news release.
Living Sustainably: Honor Arbor Day by valuing our trees
Jessica VanGinhoven
The health of our trees and forests isn’t something most of us ponder often. It certainly isn’t typical dinner table conversation, but let’s give it the spotlight for Arbor Day, Friday April 30, because our forests need our help to thrive.
Our forests face several threats. Over the past two decades, emerald ash borer destroyed nearly all the ash trees in Michigan.
Land managers must constantly be monitoring and treating oak wilt, hemlock woolly adelgid, and beech bark, while looking out for other forests pests. They must also plan ahead to ensure our forests stay healthy for generations to come.
Grand Valley State transitioning to cashless campus
WOOD-TV 8
ALLENDALE Grand Valley State University will begin converting to a cashless campus with plans to complete the process by December.
Greg Sanial, vice president for Finance and Administration, told WOOD-TV 8 more than 80 percent of transactions on campus are already digital.
He said a cashless campus will allow the university to streamline campus operations, reduce security risks, speed-up transaction times and mitigate health and safety concerns that come with handling cash.
“Campus dining has already transitioned to all digital payment transactions in response to the pandemic,” said Sanial. “The number of cash transactions on campus has continued to decline markedly over the past few years.”
HOLLAND Eligible individuals are encouraged to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine if they have not received one already.
The Ottawa County Department of Public Health has announced multiple clinics for anyone 16 and older, regardless of which county they reside in; people can sign up for to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Individuals can visit the OCDPH website at miottawa.org/health/ochd/coronavirus to schedule an appointment. Some OCDPH vaccine clinics will allow walk-ins while supplies are available, but vaccine-seekers are encouraged to schedule an appointment. Clinics announced this week include:
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27, at St. Patrick and St. Anthony Parish at 920 Fulton Street in Grand Haven. OCDPH will provide the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, with the second dose scheduled for May 25. Walk-ins are accepted from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., based on supply.