Department of Sociology, Bowling Green State University

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!

05/11/2026

The Sociology Department is so proud of our very own Margaret Weinberger! 🧡🤎

Congratulations to Department of Sociology, Bowling Green State University teaching professor Margaret Weinberger who was presented with the Faculty Senate Distinguished Service Award.

05/11/2026

Congratulations to Desire Okpattah who successfully defended her thesis, "The Influence of Socio-Economic and Demographic Characteristics on Men's Ideal Family Size in Ghana." She is pictured here with the committee chair, Dr. Kelly Balistreri. Thank you to Dr. Jenjira Yahirun & Dr. Lauren Newmyer who also served on the committee. Great job, Desire! 👏

05/05/2026

Over the past weekend, BGSU held Spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies. Chris Julian, who completed his PhD in summer 2025, came back and was hooded by Susan Brown, his advisor (first picture). Gary Oates and Steve Demuth represented the Sociology Faculty participating in the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony for the College of Arts and Sciences (second picture). Not pictured was also Fatemah Hassanzadeh who earned her MA degree 👏