By Branden Ferguson

The journey to graduation has been nothing short of inspirational for one Bowling Green State University graduate, whose experience was shaped by the Thompson Working Families Scholarship Program.

Trenton Moore, a first-generation college student from Clay High School in nearby Oregon, Ohio, began his journey at BGSU how many Thompson Scholars do - attending the Thompson Summer Link program.

"It opened my eyes to how much BGSU and the Thompsons care about students," Moore said. "They not only invested in my education, but they also invested in me as a person. It meant everything to me to feel supported and encouraged me to pursue more."

While taking a leadership course, Moore learned about various leadership theories and individual components of leadership. With support from the Thompson program, he made the decision to change his major from microbiology to biology, following the pre-medicine track. He will graduate during the Fall 2024 Commencement and is currently applying to medical schools. With the dream of owning his own practice one day, he hopes to attend a medical program in an urban setting.

"I realized I could do more than I originally had planned for myself," he said. "Support from the program's advisors and the leadership curriculum incorporated in the Thompson Working Families Scholarship program helped me to realize my true potential."

Moore took his passion into the classroom during his final semester at BGSU, taking on a role as a learning assistant for an introductory biology class. As an assistant, he works with freshmen pursuing pre-health related majors, providing mentorship, inspiration and guidance to students who want to help others through medicine.

As one of the largest non-endowed scholarship programs of its kind in the nation, the Thompson Working Families Scholarship program, created by Robert Thompson ’55, ’06 (Hon.) and Ellen (Bowen) Thompson ’54, ’06 (Hon.), supports students from modest backgrounds by covering much of the cost of tuition while still requiring a financial investment in earning their degree. Scholars must maintain high academic standards and volunteer their time on campus and in the community, continuing the Thompson's legacy of service.

The Thompson Working Families Scholarship empowers students like Moore to focus on academics, leadership, service and community involvement.

"Their support encouraged me to do more and to make the most of my college experience," Moore said. "I joined the Falcon Leadership Institute, played club tennis and got involved in everything."

As a commuter, Moore used his role as a Thompson Scholar to bring together other commuter students. Moore spoke with students about the importance of staying involved on campus and what it means to be a commuter student.

"I feel like the Thompsons provided me with an opportunity to get involved and make a difference," he said. "I felt like I owed it to incoming Thompson Scholars to help them feel just as welcomed and supported as I did."

From leadership classes that resulted in changing his major to mentoring incoming students, the Thompson Working Families Scholarship impacted Moore's college experience and his career trajectory. Grateful for the opportunity provided to him, Moore said he hopes to make a similar impact.

"The Thompson Foundation has made such a positive impact not only on the students they invest in but also the community that those students interact with," Moore said. "I hope to be able to help people as much as Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have. I want to make a difference and better the community around me. They are truly inspirational people."

Moore's journey and willingness to embrace the Thompson's legacy of helping others grabbed the attention of Kristin Payne, who not only serves as the program's assistant director, but also as his scholarship advisor.

"It has been such a joy watching Trenton develop as a leader through our scholarship program. He has really considered the impact he wants to make as part of the Thompson legacy," Payne said. "It is exciting to see him strive to continue making an impact beyond his time here at BGSU. He has cultivated a heart of giving back that honors the generosity of the Thompsons and will inspire future scholars to do the same."

Moore's story of encouragement and inspiration is something the Thompsons hope to recreate, making a historic announcement in May of $121 million in scholarships. The announcement includes the possibility of an additional $30 million to extend the program beyond 2035. If realized, the Thompsons will have contributed $150 million to student scholarships at BGSU. The contribution is the largest in BGSU history and the largest single gift ever designated to student scholarships in Ohio.

Through an innovative public-private philanthropic approach, BGSU is committed to matching Thompson scholarship funding dollar-for-dollar for each student and ensuring that scholars graduate in four years or less.