Kennesaw State University graduate Raymond Goslow grew up watching "Jeopardy!" and said he always had ambitions to be on the show.

During his junior year, Goslow, a geospatial sciences major, had a chance to try out for the "Jeopardy!" National College Championship. He began the process in October 2020, and a series of tests, interviews and auditions meant he made it under the wire before his graduation, traveling to California for filming in November 2021.

“To be eligible I still had to be in school, so luckily they taped it before my graduation in December,” Goslow said. “I was very lucky it all worked out like that.”

The tournament features 36 undergraduates from across the country competing for a $250,000 grand prize and the title of "Jeopardy!" National College Champion. Second place takes home $100,000, third place leaves with $50,000, fourth takes home $35,000, and eight semi-finalists receive $20,000. The 24 quarterfinalists receive $10,000 each.

Of the 36 schools represented, Goslow said well-known names like Harvard and New York University dominated the list, so placing Kennesaw State University on a national stage and showing that its students can also compete with the very best was special for him, he said.

“Getting the chance to represent KSU in the tournament really made me fall in love with the school. With COVID and my job, most of my classes were online, so I spent a lot of time away from campus. But now that I’ve had the chance to represent KSU on a national stage, you can bet I’ll be telling everyone I meet, ‘Heck yeah, I was an Owl!’” Goslow said.

Goslow also said his geospatial sciences major at KSU, one that involves data analysis from a range of topics using geographic location as a variable, helped expose him to wide range of subjects and further prepare him for "Jeopardy!"

To his professors, it makes sense that Goslow — a self-described “information omnivore” and “learning addict” — made a "Jeopardy!" appearance. During his time at KSU, Goslow worked full time analyzing and mapping data for the Cobb County Public Library System and creating crossword puzzles to be used on the system’s website. He also worked in partnership with two of his professors and three professors from University of North Georgia to create and modify data mapping labs for an introductory geospatial mapping course.

“Raymond was one of our best students, who took every opportunity in our courses and program to succeed,” said Allen Roberts, Geospatial Sciences program director and associate professor of Geography and Geospatial Sciences. “He always went the extra mile throughout the program, and I am not surprised by his appearance on 'Jeopardy!' He is not only a great representation of our program but of KSU as a whole.”

Between the excitement of appearing on the show, the chance to win thousands of dollars and the travel, Goslow said "Jeopardy!" was the experience of a lifetime.

Between filming, he and the other students explored Culver City, California, tried nearby restaurants and watched the broadcasts of other "Jeopardy!" episodes from the "Wheel of Fortune" studios. The show covered airfare, hotel and expenses for the students, he said.

“It didn’t feel real for a really long time,” he said, adding that only in late January could he begin talking with anyone about his appearance. “Until then it was kind of like, ‘Did this even happen? Did I just dream it all?’”

Goslow said now that he’s attained a lifelong dream of competing on the show, watching from home feels different.

“I used to beat myself up when I was watching and I didn’t know the answer,” he said. “Now, it’s just fun to watch other people compete and know that I did what I did.”

And as tempted as he may be to share the outcome of his "Jeopardy!" experience, Goslow said he and the other college competitors are sworn to secrecy. So, he added, “You’ll just have to watch and find out.”

The "Jeopardy!" National College Championship, hosted by Mayim Bialik of “The Big Bang Theory” fame, airs on ABC and streams on Hulu.

The tournament began Feb. 8, and the final episode airs Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. Goslow’s appearance in the show begins Feb. 15 at 8 p.m.