BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — A Bowling Green State University student was one of 100 students nationwide to receive the prestigious Voyager Scholarship, marking the third consecutive year in which a BGSU student has been selected as a recipient.
In a press release, BGSU announced Ryan Lothamer would be recognized with the Voyager Scholarship for Public Service, a scholarship created by former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama and Brian Cheskey, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb. The scholarship is intended to shape leaders in public service, the university said.
Lothamer is a science education major from Defiance, whose experience at BGSU includes a program he designed to expand science education to underserved communities. The university said in the release Lothamer's immersive 10-week program has received interest from several Ohio school districts.
BGSU said Lothamer was also involved in the university's therapy dog team, volunteered with the American Red Cross and Ronald McDonald House and also started a radio show.
Lothamer said he got involved in programs at BGSU after transferring to the university from a community college.
“After transferring to BGSU from a community college, I began making up for lost time,” he said in the press release. “I found myself getting involved in everything. All those opportunities stem from BGSU taking a chance on me. Those opportunities to get involved, give back and take on leadership roles led to me becoming a Voyager.”
Lothamer is the only Ohio recipient of the 2024 Voyager Scholarship, and the third consecutive BGSU student to receive the award. He joins 2023 recipient Elyse Adrian and 2022 recipient Kaylee Ann Ries.
The Obama Foundation's website says the Voyager Scholarship is designed to provide programming and create opportunities for students who display a passion for public service and leadership.
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The two-year scholarship provides up to $50,000 in financial aid to reduce the cost of college, as well as a $10,000 stipend and free AirBnb housing to allow recipients to pursue summer work-travel experiences between their junior and senior years. According to the Obama Foundation's site, the scholarship program also includes a $2,000 AirBnb credit every year for 10 years, as well as an in-person summit and invitations to speaker series with leaders from a variety of disciplines.
The program began in 2022. According to BGSU, the university is the only university in Ohio with a student in each cohort since the program's inception.
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