Department of Sociology, Bowling Green State University

09/15/2026

Congratulations to our student, Grace Meier, on her participation in NextGenPop! 👏

09/14/2026

Congratulations to Natalie Bankey who successfully defended her thesis titled, "Connections that Matter: How Social Ties Shape Functional Health among Sexually Diverse Older Adults". 👏🥳

She is pictured here with her committee chair, Susan Brown. Thanks and appreciation to committee members Wendy Manning and Lauren Newmyer for their insightful feedback, as well.

09/09/2026

Grady Schulz (BA '26; currently a first-year PhD student) and Dr. Monica Longmore highlight BGSU Sociology's research opportunities from Undergraduate to PhD levels

He skipped kindergarten, skipped fourth grade, graduated high school at 16 and earned his bachelor's degree at 18! Now, Grady Schulz is heading back to BGSU to pursue a sociology Ph.D. and he's already helping conduct research that could shape his future career: https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/education/education-station/education-bowling-green-state-university-grady-schulz-madison-masters-program-bgsu-phd/95-4481152a-9de8-424d-9268-6548f443fafd?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WKYC_Channel_3_-_Cleveland

08/19/2026

Congratulations to Grecia Garcia-Castellon, who passed her MA thesis defense today. Her thesis is entitled, “Gendered destinations: how family networks shape where Central American migrants go”. She is pictured with her committee chair, Dr. Jenjira Yahirun.

Thank you to committee members, Kelly Balistreri and Lauren Newmyer, for their helpful comments and feedback.

08/11/2026

Our Sociology Department's very own Susan Brown recently sat down with Katty Kay on the BBC podcast to discuss gray divorce and why the divorce rate of those over 50 years old has been climbing. Check out the link below to listen in on her expertise!

Divorce is falling across America, except among people over 65. A sociologist explains what's driving the split.

08/10/2026

Congratulations to our Sociology graduates! Corrine Wiborg (left) earned her PhD. Adrianne Bostelman (not pictured) & Katie Ripley (right) earned their master's degrees. 👏🧡🤎

07/01/2026

Check out the link below on how our very own Susan Brown shares her research with the New York Times on "empty shell" marriages- and why older adults are no longer staying in them.

Department of Sociology, Bowling Green State University professor Susan Brown discusses with The New York Times why older adults are no longer staying in “empty shell” marriages. “This generation is living longer than prior generations,” Brown said, “and that may be changing the calculus about whether you want to stay in a marriage that is not that meaningful anymore.” nyti.ms/4aOIclD

06/04/2026

A well-deserved award! Way to go, Grace! 👏

05/12/2026

An amazing accomplishment of our Dr. Jenjira Yahirun! 🥳🎉

Congratulations to Department of Sociology, Bowling Green State University associate professor Jenjira Yahirun, who received the 2026 Olscamp Research Award, which recognizes outstanding scholarly or creative accomplishments during the previous three-year period.

05/11/2026

Congratulations to our Sociology Department's Monica Longmore! Way to go! 👏🎉

Congratulations to Department of Sociology, Bowling Green State University professor Monica Longmore (with undergraduate RAs Grady Schulz & Audrey Simon, GA Sara Rosa) on receiving this year's Elliott L. Blinn Award for Faculty-Undergraduate Student Innovative Basic Research/Creative Work!