Category Archives: Testimonials

Kelsey Hammersmith’s Story

RecWell, Testimonials

 Kelsey Hammersmith, B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies (2015)
Student Supervisor – PFH Facility (2012-15)

I first started working for Recreation and Wellness over winter break my freshman year. I was beyond thrilled to be working at BGSU, let alone in a position that would further my work experience, leadership skills, and eventually help me attain a full-time job.

We will always be falcons and have support from BGSU throughout our lives, and the connections made in this department are a major stepping stone to future success!I started as a Perry Field House (PFH) Front Desk Attendant and was promoted to Front Desk Associate within a month of being hired. Through both of these positions, I gained valuable communication skills while setting up/tearing down from events, and even while training new employees. My hard work and dedication to the department was significantly acknowledged, as that year I was awarded as the Sue Hager Female Student Employee of the Year.

After working in the department for two and a half years, I was then promoted to PFH Student Supervisor. I jumped right into this position, and became more involved within the department, as if I wasn’t already! I continued improving my leadership skills as I was nominated and elected as the President of the Student Employee Board (SEB). While holding this position I oversaw all of the Student Supervisors in the department, as well as the planning of two banquets.

The most rewarding experience was being able to speak at the Student Recreation Center (SRC) Ribbon Cutting ceremony in February of 2015. I’ve never really been a person to want to make a speech in front of a lot of people, but decided that I would take on this responsibility, as I have had a lot of memories at the SRC as a kid, and the Recreation and Wellness department in general. This opportunity was one of my best memories at BGSU and in this department. During the ceremony, Mike Wilcox gave all of us the best advice of “dream big, double it, and do it”!

As I was wrapping up all of my responsibilities and almost ready to graduate, I started reflecting upon my experiences over the past three and a half year in this department. I honestly cannot say thank you enough to everyone in the department who stepped up and helped me grow, not only as an employee but also as a supervisor, student, and person.

After graduating from BGSU, I searched extensively for jobs. I took Mike Wilcox’s advice into consideration as I was already dreaming big. My next step was to double it, and then do it. I recently accepted a Hotel Logistics Coordinator position at a private jet company called Flight Options, in which I will be relocating to Cleveland, Ohio.

This department has offered myself and future students not only work experience, but an experience that can be applied in all areas of life. As I start my career at Flight Options, I wanted to thank everyone in the Department of Recreation and Wellness for providing me with the most rewarding experience for three and a half great years. My biggest advice is to cherish the memories and moments while they are here, because you will be walking across that graduation stage before you know it! Lastly, lets stay in touch! We will always be falcons and have support from BGSU throughout our lives, and the connections made in this department are a major stepping stone to future success!

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Terry Carver’s Story

RecWell, Testimonials, WellAware

Terry Carver, Administrative Secretary – BGSU Department of Recreation and Wellness
WellAware and Group X Participant

I was being stubborn about not wanting to change too much in my daily routine or diet, so these programs motivated me to eat right, be active daily and lose weight without a huge time commitment.Recreation and Wellness is now my home away from home, and I have been employed with BGSU over 10 years now. As the years pass, it is more difficult to lose weight and keep it off. However, my attention has changed to what enters my mouth, thus the results of the foods in my body. After participating in and really enjoying the “Strive for Five” Wellness program last summer, my focus was shifted to eating fruits, vegetables and whole grains FIRST. This usually satisfied my appetite without sugar or salty snacks. Plus, the program incorporated 30 minutes of exercise daily, which was easy for me as I can now walk to work. So, without much change in my daily routine, I saw my weight come down and enjoyed eating without having to diet. Two other programs reinforced this success: the “Eat Right For Life” Wellness program in Fall of 2013, and also the Weight Loss Program through Psychology Department in Spring in 2013.

BEST OF ALL, when I had blood work completed at Falcon Health Center as part of the “Eat Right For Life” program, I received the best results I’ve had as a middle-age adult ever! My good HDL’s were high, my bad LDL’s were low, and my cholesterol counts were super! Not bad since I come from a family history of heart disease.

Terry’s Advice for Living a Healthy Lifestyle

Schedule your exercise sessions – Pick a routine time to walk, clean, shovel, bike, swim, whatever, when it does not interfere with time you wish to spend with the family.

Plan ahead – Prepare healthy meals ahead of time, so you eat right and enjoy wellness time at your convenience. And, there are great ideas and recipes online to give you suggestions for nutritious and yummy meals!

Find activities you enjoy doing – Another great way I stay active is participating in the Group X classes through Recreation and Wellness. There are quite a variety of fitness activities, as many as I wish to attend, for one low price. I’ve made use of at least three different classes that keep me returning each semester. They are fun, inspiring, and give me a great sense of accomplishment.

Don’t gauge exercise benefits on weight loss alone – One thing I’ve really noticed is that if I don’t exercise at least moderately (generally walking or swimming) and eat as I should on a regular basis, my mood drops. When I begin again, it’s like the best medicine of all – and life is good! AND, I still have time for family and personal events in the evening and weekends, and also get the family to join me in fun and moving activities!

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LaParis Grimes’ Story

RecWell, Testimonials

LaParis Grimes, B.S. in Applied Health Science – Specialization in Public Health (2015)
Wellness Connection Attendant, Peer Educator, and Student Wellness Network Member

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It was great to work alongside people who share your passions and really love and care about what they do. Before I became involved with the Department of Recreation and Wellness I was not involved on campus at all. I was not a member of any clubs and never attended any events. I tended to hang out with a smaller group of friends that I met freshman year and that was it. When I became a part of RecWell all of that changed. I finally felt like I had a place where I really fit in. I met different types of people who were all brought together with a similar passion. It is very hard to not want to be a part of that. Most of my best memories of college involve RecWell.

The Department of Recreation and Wellness is a huge factor behind my professional growth and success as well. I was able to obtain an internship through the Wellness Connection that gave me experience with the process of program planning and marketing strategies. Through the Peer Education program I was able to overcome my fear of public speaking and work on my presentation skills with different audiences. I had the opportunity to attend and present at both regional and national Peer Education conferences. Also, through the Student Wellness Network organization I was able to gain leadership experience that was critical in getting my current position in Americorps VISTA after graduating.

Working for the Department of Recreation and Wellness has really taught me about the importance of building relationships with people. The staff at RecWell are some of the greatest people I’ve ever worked with. It never felt like work while I was there. This department goes above in beyond to care for their employees and bring them together for both learning opportunities and fun. It was great to work alongside people who share your passions and really love and care about what they do. There were so many people who mentored me and helped me make it through college and on to my next steps. I was overwhelmed by the amazing recommendations I received from some of the staff after working there. I made some great friends while I was there that I plan on staying in contact with as I transition through life.

All of these experiences have been critical in me finding Public Health and my love of health education. These things are huge reasons for me serving with Americorps VISTA. Without my involvement in RecWell I would not be where I am now or the person I am now. I thank the Recreation and Wellness Department for my accomplishments both during and after college. Leaving RecWell and all of the great experiences and relationships I built there was one of the saddest parts of graduation. I will always be grateful for my time there and all of the wonderful people I built some great memories with.

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Ryan Wong’s Story

RecWell, Testimonials

Ryan Wong, B.S. in Education – Major in Sport Management (2014)
Student Supervisor – SRC Facilities (2012-2014)

The opportunities that the department presents to their employees are endless, and I can’t say how thankful and proud I am to say I have worked for THE best department throughout BGSU.I would like to start off by thanking the Department of Recreation and Wellness for two and a half of the most influential years of my college career. The fall of 2012 is when I came aboard the amazing SRC team, not knowing that it would eventually turn into my second home and a passion of mine. Working for the department has made me grow in so many ways, as a student, professional, leader, and young man. I tell everyone if they want a job while going through school to apply for a job in Rec Well as the department presents so many opportunities to its staff!

I was hired in as a Floor Attendant at the SRC, and simply thought of the job as just a way to make a little extra cash so I could eat off campus once in a while or maybe to get a few winks from some cute girls (kidding). It didn’t take long at all before I noticed that every staff member from student staff to professional staff was passionate for the job they were doing, and sincerely enjoyed working and getting to know their coworkers. Seeing everyone so dedicated to their work inspired me to be the best employee I could be. Taking the inspiration that I was given by staff members, I applied it to my daily life and my job at the SRC, which ultimately led me to apply for the Center Manager position and eventually the Student Supervisor of Facilities. Both of these promotions were great stepping stones in the right direction for me to grow as a leader. I thank you for giving your employees the opportunity to gain leadership skills that they may have never acquired otherwise.

I would now like to thank the Department for making it possible for myself and fellow co-workers to attend and present at several conferences. I had the privilege of attending the Region III Lead On conference at the University of Michigan, and the Ohio Recreational Sports Association (ORSA) conference at Cleveland State University which I presented at. Although I may not be the best public speaker at the moment, it was the encouraging words of all the professional staff that made it so much easier and to actually submit the presentation proposal. Thank you again for providing the funds for your employees to have the opportunity to attend these conferences and grow as a professional.

After two and a half years working at the SRC I have discovered my passion for campus recreation and will try to pursue a career in that. Whether I continue on the course of campus recreation or not, I know the experience I have gained here will help me immensely in any career path I go down. For those that do not know, I will be doing an internship at Florida Gulf Coast University at their Student Recreation Center as a Facilities and Marketing Intern.

The opportunities that the department presents to their employees are endless, and I can’t say how thankful and proud I am to say I have worked for THE best department throughout BGSU. The experience I have had with this job that was only supposed to make me a little extra cash for food, turned out to be one of the best experiences I have had at Bowling Green State University, and I sincerely thank you for that. Each and every professional staff has contributed to my great experience at the SRC, even you Scott! Thank you again for everything, best of luck and Roll Along!

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