BW Success News Has Moved

Looking for stories on Baldwin Wallace University students, alumni and faculty who are doing and experiencing great things? Our success news has moved to the BW website at:  http://www.bw.edu/news/index

Click on "Student Experiences," "Alumni Success" and/or "Faculty Achievement" tabs to view the latest news from our community and celebrate our success!

Music Theatre Alumnus Brings Kris Kringle to Life

Photo courtesy Tom Shirilla

This holiday season, Mack Shirilla '13 stars in "Kris Kringle the Musical," written by Maria Ciampi with music and lyrics by Tim Janis. The show will be making its world premiere at Olmsted Performing Arts under the direction of Pierre Brault.

In an interview with Cleveland.com, Ciampi explains she is hoping the show, with its original book and score, will make it all the way to Broadway. "There has not been an original Christmas musical on Broadway in quite some time. The musicals of recent years have mainly been adaptations of films."

Shirilla will be playing the young Kringle, "a dreamy, unemployed toy maker living in the Big Apple whose life changes when he tangles with a ruthless toy company CEO".

"Kris Kringle" runs Dec. 5-13, with ticket prices ranging from $18-$22. Call 440-235-6722 or click here for tickets.

Alumnae Link Arts, Tech and Entrepreneurship in Web Series

Megan Poletti and Kristen Klehr on set of The Creative Technology
Web Series - Photo credit: Nick Kuhar

Conservatory professor and alumna Megan Poletti '08 has collaborated with percussion performance graduate and LA-based concert producer Kristen Klehr '10 to create a Creative Technology web series that highlights specific elements of entrepreneurship that help new musicians and artists on the road to success.

Poletti says the two teamed up due to their similar mindset. "[Klehr] is a successful entrepreneur who has created many opportunities for herself, and took her music degree beyond the “typical” boundaries. She’s an ambitious person and an inspiration, and sees a career in music as an opportunity for independence and the pursuit of her own projects, like I do."

Poletti's company, heypoletti! LLC, is focused on linking music, technology and entrepreneurship, with a mission"to inspire not only musicians, but also artists, small businesses, and creative entrepreneurs to use technology to aid in the pursuit of their artistic visions."

The web series features five videos published over a six week period beginning in mid September. "The Creative Technology Web Series is part of my goal to continue into teaching more topics involving artists and entrepreneurship, especially using new media (like video and podcasting)," Poletti explains.

Poletti plans to continue the web series, bringing in more guest speakers and introducing new topics. She is also working on a 2016 e-book that she says will act as "an introductory marketing guide for the aspiring creative entrepreneur."

BW Grad with Cleveland Roots Radiates Broadway Star Power

(photo courtesy of Broadway.com)

At 24, recent BW alumnus Chris McCarrell '13 has found his way into the bright lights of Broadway, now performing as Marius in the revival of Les Misérables. As a hot young talent on the Great White Way, McCarrell is featured in a charming, broadway.com "Broadway Buzz" feature article, video and photo shoot.

McCarrell made his Broadway debut almost immediately after his graduation from Baldwin Wallace and he's optimistic about the future, expressing his ambition, in the broadway.com interview, to have a role in the creation of a new show within the next five years. His goal for 50 years from now? Working as a director or manager of a theater company.

McCarrell's performance resume also includes a turn in the NBC TV Peter Pan Live broadcast as one of the Lost Boys. In his time at BW, McCarrell performed in Pippin, Sweeney Todd, and Next to Normal.

For the current holiday season, McCarrell will headline "Christmas Carols with Chris McCarrell" at New York's "54 Below" on Monday, Dec. 7,  and he's tracked a solo for the 2015 “Broadway’s Carols for a Cure, Volume 17”, a 2-disc, annual CD of original and traditional holiday music to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Earlier this fall, McCarrell released, 'Now You're Here' a duet with Katie Rose Clarke, to benefit the same cause.

Although he's loving life in New York, McCarrell takes pride in his Northeast Ohio roots, telling broadway.com,  “I grew up south of Cleveland. Went to college west of Cleveland. I’m an all-around Clevelander."

Professor Calls for More Faculty to Teach About Race

Baldwin Wallace associate professor and director of Leadership in Higher Education, Ken Schneck, is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post, posting thought-provoking commentary on a multitude of topics such as LGBTQ rights and the faculty response to sexual assault on campuses. His latest article titled, "Dear White Professors: You Must Teach a Course on Race," encourages faculty members not to shy away from leading campus dialogue on race.

Schneck takes on the reasons why some white professors, who make up 80% of full-time college professors in higher education, avoid teaching about race and urges them to incorporate courses on race into their disciplines.

He counters the argument that race isn't relevant in certain subjects with, "You teach in economics, nursing, musical theatre, education, political science or any other discipline out there? Race is there. It's always there. Not teaching about the intersection doesn't make it go away."

Schneck acknowledges the trepidation that some professors might feel --that class discussions may sometimes become heated, that the students in a given class may not be diverse, and that a white professor might inadvertently say something problematic. In response, he argues that professors can create a safe, respectful place for student opinions from the first day, can teach an all-white class to openly confront white privilege, and can "own" their mistakes and constantly challenge their assumptions and opinions.

The article concludes with Schneck saying, "I will never claim that I have all the answers. I will never assert that I am culturally competent (which is a process, not a status). I will never put forth that I don't have white privilege....Most of all, what I will do is continue to push my faculty colleagues to add more courses that explore how race affects everything that we do."

Schneck is also the producer and host of This Show is So Gay, a nationally-recognized radio show which encourages people to discuss LGBTQ topics in unique ways. He also was a recent guest on WCPN, Cleveland's NPR station, to discuss National Coming Out Week for The Sound of Ideas program.

BW Music Theatre Students to Hit the Stage at Nighttown

The BW Music Theatre Class of 2017 prepares to dazzle audiences at Nighttown

One important ingredient in developing Broadway-ready talent in the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music's Music Theatre program involves live performance opportunities for students on and off campus. Playhouse Square and Beck Center feature BW students in full productions, while smaller venues, like Nighttown, showcase BW's stars-in-the-making in a more intimate setting.

After debuting "Gold Standards" to packed houses here on campus, BW Music Theatre juniors will take the concert featuring selections from The Music Man, Brigadoon and Oklahoma to Nighttown on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the December 9 performance can be purchased online.

Nighttown will host Senior Cabaret Night on March 28, 2016, and the dining and entertainment destination will also feature BW Music Theatre students on May 2, 2016, for a performance of the senior showcase, a selection of standards performed by sophomores.

Physics Professor Guides Innovation Workshop in Mexico City

Peter Hoekje, Associate Professor of Physics, recently traveled to Mexico City to participate in Semanai, a week-long event for students and teachers to experience learning in a fresh way. Semanai is hosted by a large private system of about 30 colleges known as Tecnologico de Monterrey.

Hoekje (middle) assists as technical adviser during Semanai
(Photo Courtesy of Tecnológico de Monterrey Facebook)

For the week's music production program, Dr. Hoekje was invited to give a workshop in musical instrument acoustics, and to serve as technical adviser and judge in a design competition.

Hoekje mentored 30 students from various majors such as music production, industrial design, mechatronics, and biomechanical engineering. Working in teams of five over the course of four days, the groups were tasked with creating n original design or prototype of a toy, digital interface, or musical instrument.

Among the complex creations that resulted: a musical interface, labeled the "liszt," which used different finger placements on sensors on the controller to play musical sequences.

During Semanai, Hoekje said, "The students are really enjoying the challenge, the opportunity to learn new things, and the experience of working in groups of people with different backgrounds." Hoekje hopes to do something similar at Baldwin Wallace.

Alpha Phi Takes Philanthropy to Heart

Several BW student leaders were "arrested" by the sisters of Alpha Phi for their "Cardiac Arrest" philanthropy event. Friends of those "locked up" could "bail out" their friends by donating to The Alpha Phi Foundation, which benefits women's heart health and scholarships to Alpha Phi sisters nationwide.

"This event is important to us," Lauren Schneider '16, Vice President of Marketing for Alpha Phi, said, "because it allows us to create awareness about a serious health issue and donate money to a cause that is so important to our chapter."

Attendees could also "pie" a sister for a donation, and there was pizza and cornhole just for fun.

"My favorite part of Cardiac Arrest is getting other fraternities, sororities, and sports teams involved," Schneider said. "It is always awesome to see so many other organizations on campus come together to help up support the philanthropy that means so much to us."

The event made over $900 to support The Alpha Phi Foundation. 

BW Film Major Shines a Light on Mission Guatemala

Elise Bigley shows kids the videos she took of
them and their school

Film and international studies major Elise Bigley '16 spent six weeks at an internship in Panajachel, Guatemala where she helped create films for Mission Guatemala, a new BW partner for service-learning and study abroad.

Mission Guatemala works to help "meet the basic needs and improve the quality of life of under-served and impoverished Guatemalan peoples through health, education and nutrition initiatives and missionary service."

"I am very excited to give back by documenting their accomplishments," Bigley says on her study abroad blog.

Bigley was joined by eight BW faculty and staff members during her second week in Guatemala. They were laying a foundation for the expanded relationship between BW and Mission Guatemala.

"The people are incredible and have such a vibrant culture and history. Beautiful scenery, delicious coffee, and gorgeous rural and urban settings are just a some of the notable characteristics. The experience pushed me out of my comfort zone, but still supported me in a way that has me dying to go back."

Bigley is currently working on the largest film from her internship, but has created a short informational video including footage she gathered that encourages others to study abroad in Guatemala.

Bigley's internship was facilitated through the BW Honors Program, which is working with Explorations/Study Abroad to create more opportunities for students in the future. An Honors faculty led program is planned for May 2016.

Conservatory of Music Students, Faculty Play Violins of Hope

The BW Conservatory of Music has embraced, amplified and been inspired by Amnon Weinstein's effort to bring the voices of those lost in the Holocaust back to life. Over the past two decades Weinstein has worked to restore violins that survived the Holocaust. Now, 19 of the restored instruments are featured in an exhibition known as Violins of Hope that runs until Jan. 3, 2016 at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage.

Student and faculty musicians from BW's Conservatory of Music are plugged into two events that use some of these restored violins.

On Oct. 25, members of the BW Symphony Orchestra performed Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins, Strings and Continuo in D minor, BWV 1043. The Orchestra was conducted by Octavio Más-Arocas and featured faculty soloists Julian Ross and Barton Samuel Rotberg.

Students toured the exhibit following the performance, a profoundly moving and "eye opening" experience for junior music performance major Therese West '17.

Maltz Museum Education & Public Programs Director, Jeffery Allen,
leads BW students through the Violins of Hope Exhibition.

"As we went through the museum and heard all of the stories about each violin it was difficult to wrap your head around what that instrument and it's owner had been through," West says. "Some of the stories they told us were heartbreaking. Some of the musicians played their instrument to find relief and others played to stay alive. It was amazing to hear how music helped so many people persevere through such a horrible time. "

Dr Julian Ross

 "Violins of Hope is a tangible reminder of catastrophic tragedy, yet also confirmation of the resiliency of Jewish cultural and religious life," Dr. Ross says. "Thinking of some of the genuinely heroic people who created the tradition of Jewish violinists is profoundly humbling."

Ross will be featured again on Wednesday, Nov. 18 in a lecture/performance called The Mystery of the Violin. He will be performing with fellow BW Conservatory professor Robert Mayerovich on piano. This event will take place at 7 p.m. at the Maltz Museum.

Ross explained that since the 16th century, violin music has not only been a large part of Jewish cultural and social life, but a way to overcome repression. "I've also come to understand how fortunate and blessed I have been, to live in a time and place where I can study and perform, and have wonderful students who love music. The generations who came before me struggled to make this possible, and I pray that I honor them with the work that I do."

In a Cleveland Scene interview, museum director Ellen Rudolph shares her enthusiasm for the performances associated with the exhibit, saying, “It’s an amazing opportunity to bring those voices to life and connect with those who are lost.”

Zeta Tau Alpha Races to Success at Philanthropy Event

Members of the Baldwin Wallace community could be seen racing down the sidewalks of Berea for a good cause this fall as the sisters of Zeta Tau Alpha held their annual Race for the Ribbon philanthropy event supporting Breast Cancer Education and Awareness.

"The event itself allows us to raise money for our foundation, which supports educational programming, survivor recognition, and other awareness events," said Savanah Craig '18, Philanthropy Director of Zeta Tau Alpha.

In addition to the race, participants could also "pie" the presidents of various BW student organizations with shaving cream. Overall, the event raised about $1,800 for the cause.

"When we start sharing the race with people, it gives us an opportunity to put breast health on their radar and help share tips for risk reduction and prevention," Craig noted. "After months of planning it was really great to see everyone enjoying themselves and supporting a cause that is so dear to each of us."

MBA Grad Appointed Chief of Staff

BW MBA grad Laura Gronowski '93  has been appointed chief of staff for the nonprofit, Center for Health Affairs, as well as business affiliate CHAMPS Healthcare.

Photo courtesy: 
The Center of Health Affairs

According to a news release, Gronowski will oversee three business lines of CHAMPS Healthcare along with the member services operations and internal operations for The Center, reporting directly to CEO Bill Ryan.

Ryan describes Gronowski as "an innovative leader with a client-centric vision and a proven ability to effectively collaborate and drive strong business results."

With more than 25 years of experience in healthcare purchasing and supply chain management, more than 13 years at CHAMPS, Gronowski said, “This has always been a place I felt encouraged to challenge myself professionally and think outside the box to grow our business. I am excited to continue on that course in my new role.”

Prior to her recent appointment, Gronowski served as Senior Vice President of CHAMPS and is credited with playing a role in increasing the company's revenue and expanding geographical sales area. Before joining CHAMPS, Gronowski gained experience in multiple Northeast Ohio hospitals. She's also a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Economics Professor is Respected Resource for The Plain Dealer

In addition to her role as professor and chair of the Economics Department at BW, Veronica Kalich also contributes regularly to The Plain Dealer, serving as one of the newspaper's respected analysts on the Ohio workplace.

Most recently, Kalich has contributed to a series of articles focused primarily on the unemployment picture in Ohio, specifically stories that delve into the ups and downs of monthly jobs reports losses, the middle class, and the state's recovery from "the great recession."

Kalich has served as a valued source for Plain Dealer reporter, Olivera Perkins, who says she trusts Kalich's analyses "because she always cites the source of her data." Perkins has found that readers trust her as well, noting that, "Since Professor Kalich doesn’t take a political viewpoint, it is difficult for a reader to question her objectivity."

Perkins added, "Because she has a varied background, having worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, as well as in academia, Dr. Kalich is able to explain and add perspective and context to economic issues in ways that are accessible to most Plain Dealer readers."

BW Faculty and Students In the Center of the Political Process

The BW contingent that worked election night at WEWS-TV, left to right, Dr. Tom Sutton with students, Brianna Johnson, Austin Nagy, Nikita Martin, Aziz Ahmad, Simone Malone.

In the run-up to this week's election day, BW faculty and students were active in the political process as media commentators, survey analysts and election night tabulators. But with the 2016 presidential election on the horizon, and the Republican National Convention coming to Cleveland next July, they may just be getting warmed up.

BW political science professor Thomas Sutton, who regularly appears on WEWS TV as the Cleveland ABC affiliate's political analyst, was joined by a team of students on election night, who worked to tabulate results for the station. At BW, those students and others get to pick the brains of professors who are in the thick of analyzing politics and government for the media.

BW Pubic Opinion Poll and Questions About "What’s Next?"
Leading into the election, results from a BW Community Institute Research (CRI) poll, which included questions sampling Northeast Ohio public opinion on a marijuana legalization ballot issue, landed on the front page of The Plain Dealer, with insights from CRI associate director and political science professor, Dr. Lauren Copeland.

The poll was tested by students before it went into the field. Sutton, who is CRI's director, and Copeland also fielded poll questions from WEWS-TV 5, WOIO-TV 19/43 and WKSU/NPR Radio. After the issue was voted down, Sutton helped WEWS viewers understand what's next for Ohio's medical marijuana legalization movement.

Dr. Lauren Copeland (left) with the Fox 8 Morning News anchor team

Parsing Presidential Politics
Both BW professors have been called on to provide expert commentary on the ongoing presidential primary races, as well.

Sutton was tapped by both WEWS-TV and WAKR radio to dissect Ohio Governor's John Kasich's struggling campaign, while Copeland appeared live on WJW-TV's popular morning show to preview the first GOP debate showdown that took place in Cleveland, and later talked with WOIO-TV 19/43.

The pair also contributed to a series of Cleveland Jewish News pieces on the presidential race, one asking, "Was Democratic debate more liberal than usual?," another focusing on the politics of gun control, and another delving into the money already raised in the campaigns.

The Broader Election and Government Issues

Sutton also is a frequent guest on WAKR Radio's The Jasen Sokol Show where he has recently given listeners perspectives on issues like the new U.S. Speaker of the House

Dr. Barb Palmer surrounded by Running Start interns in Washington, D.C.

And a third BW political science professor, Dr Barb Palmer, continues her work on women in politics, raising awareness of the uphill climb for female candidates at conferences, through organizations like Running Start, and in the media such as this appearance on Vermont Public Radio.

Palmer recently spoke to a group of young women in Washington, D.C., who are participating in the Running Start Star Fellows Program which includes an internship with a female member of Congress.

Grad Launches Company to Support Homeless Veterans in LA

Justin Groza '04

"I hate veteran homelessness," Justin Groza '04, says simply. Groza's ten year military experience and desire to help others has spurred the launch of Logos, a business aiming to employ homeless veterans in a sustainable way. 

Groza was very involved  in campus activities during his time at BW as a brother of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, a member of the varsity soccer team and manager of the Student Activities Center. After graduating with a degree in Business Administration, Groza enlisted in the United States Army and became a commissioned officer. Following his military service, Groza continued his education at Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem in Budapest, where he earned an MBA.

Image from Groza's Logos crowd-funding campaign

After earning his master's degree, Groza developed and refined the concept for Logos and moved to Los Angeles. He recently launched a a crowd-funding campaign to support his idea and to educate the public about the prevalence of homeless veterans and the importance of long-term employment.

"I'm extremely proud of the project and have received excellent feedback from social workers at the VA and Salvation Army offices in Los Angeles," says Groza.

Alumna Reinvents Career, Creates Nonprofit for College Search

Nichelle McCall

Baldwin Wallace graduate and BOLD Guidance CEO, Nichelle McCall, has been featured in Inc Magazine as a "Woman Tech Founder to Watch," Crain's Cleveland 40 Under 40, and this fall, in a Plain Dealer article highlighting "career reinvention." But just 5 years she was wrestling with unemployment.

After a series of jobs following graduation, McCall took a fellowship in New York and Washington D.C. with the promise of a full-time post with a Cleveland nonprofit when she returned home. Instead, the organization went in a different direction at the end of her fellowship, and McCall found herself unemployed at age 27.

It was a turning point for McCall, who decided to become a consultant, rather than labeling herself unemployed. McCall noted to the Plain Dealer that, "What I learned is that a job is not secure. At any time someone can decide that they want to go in another direction or that your services are no longer needed. At least with entrepreneurship, even if something doesn't work out that I'm working on, I can always create something new."

She consulted with schools and nonprofits, forming college access programs. Within two years, she found herself making more money than ever before, and added a technology-based product in order to continue growing.

In 2012, McCall launched "Bold Guidance," a software company that not only makes the college admissions process easier and more accessible by walking parents and students step-by-step through the process, but also caters to colleges by supporting marketing strategies for enrollment.

Bold Guidance's CEO and President Nichelle McCall
-Photo Courtesy of The Plain Dealer

The Plain Dealer acknowledged the steep hill McCall climbed to make her business a success. "Women represent just 8 percent of venture-backed companies in the country, but for black women, the number shrinks dramatically to .2 percent. McCall has raised $500,000 in the last two years for her company, 'Bold Guidance.'"

In regards to her time working college admissions at Baldwin Wallace, McCall is quoted as saying, "that's when the seed was planted for wanting to make a difference for underprivileged students."

BW Grad Takes Fast Track to Financial Career

Ashley Lenzar '15 offers a lesson in the potential power of an internship to supercharge a career. Following her graduation earlier this year, Lenzar quickly landed a job as a financial services assistant at Glass Financial Advisors, the same company that mentored her in a summer internship.

In the finance profession, only one in 20 advisors is under the age of 30; so when Lenzar, 24, saw the opportunity to get in on the professional level at a young age she went for it. The story of her internship is featured in Financial Advisor magazine, as she sets out to make a name for herself in the world of finance.

Lenzar told Financial Advisor that she had the opportunity to tag along with her father to an Edward Jones advisory meeting around five years ago and was intrigued by the profession. Fast-forward to 2015, with a liberal arts education, a major in accounting and finance as well as a professional internship, she was the perfect fit for the job.

Theatre Grad Dives into Directing

Alumna Lindsey Augusta Mercer is quickly making a name for herself in the world of theatre after graduating in 2013 with a BA in theatre, music, and history, cum laude.

Photo credit: Mikki Schaffner Photography

For the past two years, Mercer has been living in the Greater Cincinnati area where her directorial life began to bloom, beginning with gigs at New Edgecliff Theatre and Diogenes Theatre Company. Mercer continued her streak of success at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, where she started as assistant to the artistic director in 2014. She staged CSC's touring production of A Midsummer Night's Dream for their Shakespeare in the Park program.

Photo credit: Queen City Queer
Theatre Collective website

In November of 2014, Mercer co-founded the Queen City Queer Theatre Collective with Linnea Jean Bond. Their mission, as described on the QCQTC website, is "to celebrate and share queer experiences while challenging theatre convention. We embrace “queer” as a verb, and a liberating way to work free of creative prejudice." Mercer regularly works as producing artistic director here, working on staged readings.

Her most recent endeavor is at the Falcon Theatre, where she will be directing two one acts known as "The Mystery Plays". The shows open November 6th. In an interview with Cincy Magazine, Mercer says, "It’s a great atmosphere for creating plays," with directors supporting her unique directorial choices.

She will also be playing the role of Amiens in CSC's production of "As You Like It", which runs November 20-December 12.

BW Psychology Grad Awarded Master's Assistantship

Ashely Smith '10

Recent BW graduate, Ashley Smith '15, is now working as a graduate assistant for the College of Public Health at Kent State University. While at BW, Smith combined studies in behavioral sciences and public health to essentially created a customized education in "Health Psychology," although her official major was psychology.

Smith (R) with BW professor Jen Perry on graduation day

Smith's exceptional grade point average of 3.988, combined with an impressive list of activities on and off campus during her undergraduate career, helped to land the assistantship as she pursue's a master's degree in public health with a concentration in social and behavioral sciences.

As a BW undergrad, the Berea native was especially active in BW's Psychology Department, serving as Psychology Student Research Coordinator, President of Psi Chi, Treasurer of the Psychology Club, and avid researcher.

Smith received BW's William Prokasy Award for her academic achievements and contributions to the field of psychology, and also was a White Rose Ceremony participant.

As she pursues her graduate degree, she is working on two separate grant funded projects. 

Healthcare MBA Graduate Leads Summa Cardiovascular Institute

Dr. Michael Hughes, MBA '12

Dr. Michael Hughes earned his health care MBA from BW in 2012. Earlier this year, he was named president of Summa Health System's Cardiovascular Institute.

Hughes, who specializes in international cardiology and cardiovascular disease, has held a number of leadership positions at Summa Health including medical director of the Cardiac Cath Lab and founding co-chairman of Northeast Ohio Cardiovascular Specialists. In addition, he also serves on the executive board of Summa's accountable care organization, New Health Collaborative and sits on the Summa Health Board of Directors.

Summa Health is one of the largest integrated healthcare delivery systems in Ohio and encompasses a network of hospitals, community health centers, a health plan, a physician-hospital organization, a multi-specialty physician organization, research and the Summa Foundation.

Hughes was honored with the American Heart Association’s Sauvageot Volunteer Service Award in 2012 and served on the AHA’s Board of Directors as its president. He also has been named a Cleveland Magazine Top Doctor in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

MBA Alumnus Named Hub Group's President and COO

Donald G. Maltby- Courtesy of Hub Group

After 25 years at Hub Group, one of the United States' largest transportation management corporations, Donald G. Maltby, a Baldwin Wallace MBA alumnus was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer this fall.

Maltby, who most recently served as a consultant to the Hub board, had worked his way up the ladder at the top 50 publicly traded company, holding numerous management positions, serving as Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Executive Vice President-Logistics Services, President of Hub Online and President of Hub Cleveland.

The Chicago area-based  Hub Group has more than 2,500 employees and $3.6 billion in annual revenue.

In a Hub Group press release, company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, David Yeager said, "I am very pleased that Don has chosen to take on the role of President and Chief Operating Officer. He is a hard worker and a strategic thinker with deep knowledge of the logistics industry as well as Hub's business and culture. I look forward to working with him to drive our company forward."

Prior to joining Hub, Maltby worked at Sherwin-Williams. He received his Masters in Business Administration from Baldwin Wallace in 1982.

Professor Infuses Music, NPR into Murder Mystery Novel

After nearly a decade of crafting a murder mystery novel, writing "on and off," BW adjunct history professor Robert Stinson is currently promoting the recently published book, Love and Death on Public Radio.

The book is "part murder mystery and part satire on Public Radio." In his description of the story, Stinson said, "My book takes classical music seriously as a theme for fiction without, however, requiring readers to bring a technical understanding to the story. In that sense it will appeal to anyone who listens to an NPR station, liked Amadeus, or reads novels like Ian McEwan’s Amsterdam (1999)."

Stinson's book is currently available as an ebook on Amazon. The story was inspired by and draws on his time as a classical broadcaster for an NPR station. Stinson began teaching part-time at BW following his retirement from Moravian College.

Stinson also has published three scholarly books; this is his first novel since 1987. 

BW Grad Featured on ABC-TV's "Scandal"

Seth Bellinger '10

Seth Bellinger '10, a Fairview, Ohio native who graduated from Baldwin Wallace with a Film/Broadcasting major and Psychology minor, was recently featured on ABC's season premiere of the hit drama series, Scandal.

Following graduation, Bellinger traveled to Los Angeles in pursuit of a career in film. After a few months in LA, he started getting offers for small parts in independent films, commercials and television shows.

Bellinger (left) on the Season 5 Premiere of Scandal on ABC-TV

He has acted in commercials for Spiklit and Golden Era Productions and also played the campus stalker on the television series, Dead of Night. Bellinger has also been featured in print advertising, including a appearance alongside CeeLo Green for a Fast Company Magazine ad.

A man of many talents, Bellinger, creates film, directs, acts and instructs tennis during his free time.

The Season 5 Premiere of Scandal aired on September 24 and is available on ABC.com.

Professor's Doo-Wop Duo Featured on Fox 8's Jukebox

Fox 8's Jukebox recently featured Babies in Black, a Cleveland local rockabilly duo comprised of Conservatory Professor Beth Hiser and Rachel Roberts.

Babies in Black performed five songs for Fox 8, which commended the duo on their "spot-on harmonies."

Hiser and Roberts have taken inspiration from early Beatles music, their namesake coming from the Beatles song Baby's in Black. Their Reverb Nation bio page says, "With Rachel on guitar and Beth on upright bass, they harmonize to every major pop hit between 1955-1965, from The Beatles to Lesley Gore to The Drifters. They play these songs to inspire original compositions, resembling the doo-wop and 60s pop era."

The duo is currently working on production of an album. They've played countless festivals across Ohio and opened for the premiere of the movie "Christine at the Crossroads."

Hiser also plays for Front Porch, a bluegrass band made up entirely of Baldwin Wallace professors who mostly teach subjects outside the Conservatory of Music.

Retired Faculty Member Publishes Inspiring Memoir

Touted by readers as "the story of a life well lived in the face of physical constraints, illness and adversity heaped atop challenges that were already present," From Where I Sit, a recently published memoir, tells the beautiful story of Victoria "Vickie" Covington, a retired BW faculty member.

Covington taught and played piano in BW's Conservatory of Music for 23 years where she also served as the chair of the piano department. She spent much of her life wheelchair-bound due to rheumatoid arthritis but that did not stop her from playing and teaching music to her students for years.

"This is a story of creativity, beginning with Vickie's early years, as she developed her own unique, highly unorthodox piano technique--even pedaling with her left foot!" according to a description on Amazon.

Covington was recently interviewed for a story, "Pianist tells her story with a tune of gratitude" on WYFF-TV in Greenville, S.C. where she now lives. She told the station that even though nature took away her ability to do what she loved, the music still lives within her.

Covington says proceeds from the sales of From Where I Sit will be donated to the three schools in Covington's life, including BW.

Sport Management Internship Leads to Cavs Job

Another Cavs season is upon us and the Cleveland community is buzzing with excitement! Alumna Emily Thomas '12 serves as the Community Relations Coordinator for the Cavs and is equally as excited for another fantastic season.

Thomas, a Wooster, Ohio native, double majored in sport management and public relations as an undergraduate student. With the help of her sport management classes and professors, she was able to network with professionals in the industry throughout her four years at BW. Thomas held internships with the Cleveland Gladiators, Cavs and Browns, as well as with the BW Events Management Department and ProCamps Worldwide.

"I would not be where I am today without the experiences I had at, because of, and through BW" she tells us, "I had great professors who cared about my career goals and were willing to do a lot to help me achieve those goals."

Good luck this season, Emily! Go Cavs!

White House Initiative Recognizes Work of Alumnus

The work of Cleveland's nonprofit Esperanza Inc. and executive director Victor Ruiz '99 continues to gain praise, most recently winning recognition from The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.  Ruiz says Esperanza, which is dedicated to the educational needs of the Hispanic community, is humbled by the White House recognition. "Esperanza is honored to be included in such a prestigious list of organizations that work tirelessly to improve the academic achievements of this country’s Hispanic communities."

Victor Ruiz passes out bookbags at Esperanza's Back to School Event. 

Photo courtesy: Esperanzainc.org

Esperanza was highlighted among the White House Initiative's "Bright Spots in Hispanic Education, one of 230 nationwide programs dedicated to Hispanic education listed.

According to a Crain's Cleveland Business article, Esperanza, under Ruiz's leadership, has helped to raise the Hispanic graduation rate in Cleveland from 30% to 64.3%, more than doubling it within three years by 2014.

A Freshwater Cleveland article added, "While the numbers are still below the national average, Esperanza and Ruiz continue forward, with a mission to only improve further."

Ruiz is also a 2014 Baldwin Wallace Alumni Merit Award winner.

McKelvey Park Rededicated in BW Alumna/HIstorian's Honor

Plaque commemorating the park's rededication to McKelvey
Photo courtesy cleveland.com

The City of Berea has renovated and officially rededicated a park honoring Dorothy Marks McKelvey, the longtime historian for the city and Baldwin Wallace University. The rededication of McKelvey Park, took place on the 30th anniversary of the original dedication ceremony of the park.

Not only was McKelvey a Baldwin Wallace alumna, but from 1950 to 1993, she served as BW's full-time historian and college archivist. She became the official Historian of Berea in 1980 and was the founder, president and trustee of the Berea Area Historical Society (BAHS).

According to The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History, McKelvey "became the person newspapers called to verify facts about Berea's past."

The new lighted fountain at McKelvey Park
-Photo courtesy cleveland.com

In a Cleveland.com story on the recent park rededication, Berea Mayor Cyril Kleem commented that, "Her legacy lives on with this project."

According to the article, "McKelvey Park now sports a lighted fountain, which can double as a splash pad for children, a pergola, and more green space with seven imperial honey locust trees. A bell that originally hung in the former City Hall at the corner of East Bridge and Seminary has been reinstalled at the park."

Conservatory Student Fiddles Her Way to National Honor

While most musicians prefer peace and quiet when rehearsing show pieces, Meredith Hudock '16 asked her studio instructors to distract her as she practiced for this year's National Scottish Fiddling Competition.

Last year, Hudock remembers flash photography and theater light disruptions affecting her performance at the competition. This year, she prepared for any and all distractions that may had come her way.

"They [her instructors] would talk while I was playing, take pictures with flash, slam doors, switch on and off lights, and even come up on the stage I was playing on and dance around me," Hudock said. "I knew that if I could play through all that, I could play through anything!"

This unique preparation method paid off.

Hudock won second place at the 2015 National Scottish Fiddling Competition in the Edinboro Highland Games & Scottish Festival in Edinboro, Pa. A senior Violin Performance major in the Conservatory of Music, Hudock points back to the support she has received at BW to her success.

"While I was touring other colleges in high school, professors would give me the weirdest looks whenever I said the words 'Scottish fiddler,'" Hudock said. "When I visited BW and said I was a Scottish fiddler, they welcomed me with open arms." 

With this impressive achievement to add to her resume, Hudock hopes to earn a master's degree in Scottish fiddling from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow after BW graduation.

"Even though I do a variety of alternative styles, I always come back to Scottish music," Hudock said. "I hope to continue to teach and perform Scottish fiddle so the music tradition stays alive for many years to come."

First BW Student Accepted to OU Medical School Under Primary Care Early Assurance Program

BW's Primary Healthcare Advancement Program has produced the first future doctor to win early acceptance to medical school at Ohio University-Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-HCOM). Nathan Katz '17 was honored at a celebratory dinner on the new Cleveland campus of OU-HCOM.

Katz, a biology (pre-med) major, has always wanted to be a primary care doctor. Being granted early acceptance to medical school as a junior is a dream come true for the Columbus native. "I've wanted to be a doctor since my senior year of high school after I started caring for my grandfather while he struggled with dementia in his old age."

The partnership with OU-HCOM is one of two early assurance medical school partnerships that BW has to offer.  The other links aspiring physicians at BW to Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. The Primary Healthcare Advancement Program blends coursework of BW's public health major and a medically oriented science curriculum, giving undergraduate students a foundation needed to successfully pursue primary care medical training.

Katz's advice to anyone looking for early acceptance to medical school? "Take things day by day and don't get overwhelmed by the requirements of the program or the course load!"

BW to be Honored as Minds Matter "Partner of the Year"

On November 7, BW is being recognized as the Minds Matter "Partner of the Year" for the continuous support the university has provided to the program. The Minds Matter organization assists promising high school students from low-income backgrounds with things like ACT preparation and college admission counseling in order to put them on the path to a successful college career. Minds Matter says 100% of the program's students have been accepted by four-year colleges.

The national organization's Cleveland chapter was launched in 2008, with the help of several BW alumni. Michael Lagoni ‘06, along with Kristen San Marco ’06 and Meghan Pethtel ’07 all worked to bring the chapter together in it's beginning stages.

BW maintains a strong link with the chapter today through it's alumni founders, faculty board members and volunteers. The organization is also proud to partner with BW on a two-week summer enrichment program starting with the 2015-2016 year.

BW will be recognized at the Third Annual Minds Matter Gala on November 7, with tickets available online. There will also be a silent auction benefiting the non-profit organization's Cleveland chapter.

Sustainability Alumna Echoes own "Zero Waste" Life with Career

Displaying one of her few articles of clothing

(Photo Courtesy: Paris-To-Go)

After a couple of trips to Paris, France, 26-year-old Baldwin Wallace sustainability graduate Ariana Schwarz fell in love-- not only with her husband, but also with Paris. After tying the knot, she made a permanent move to the City of Light and began applying her BW major, her passions and hobbies into a self-made career as a sustainability consultant and lifestyle blogger.

Schwarz began blogging, just as a way "to show [her] friends and family what Paris is like," according to a recent feature article in The Plain Dealer, but her blog, Paris-To-Go has evolved into a lifestyle blog with enough traffic to generate a profit. Schwarz said, "I never expected blogging to go anywhere, though, so I was really surprised at how people could relate to it and support it--I'm really grateful."

Schwarz's zero-waste lifestyle extends to every aspect including the bathroom.
(Photo Courtesy: Paris-To-Go)

On her blog, Schwarz explains how to live sustainably in every aspect of life, including her own examples of ways she produces zero-waste. She touches on subjects such as: A Paris Survival Guide, Zero Waste Guide, Simplifying one's Beauty Routine, and Living Gluten-Free in Paris. Schwarz also incorporated her love for fashion into her blog, where she displays her simple, 10-item wardrobe.

Schwarz also works for companies and individuals as a sustainability consultant. In The Plain Dealer article, she said, "I do audits and go through a house and figure out how they can eliminate plastic from their life and how they can use less water and electricity. I help them be more environmentally friendly."

(Photo Courtesy of: Paris To Go Instagram)

Everything Schwarz does aligns with sustainability. "My BW education helped me apply sustainability to my life in a practical way.... Now I have a job I love in Paris, working with clients like Airbnb, Le Parisien, Hilton Paris Opera, and World Wildlife Fund Europe on sustainability-related initiatives."

Schwarz encourages other sustainability majors to travel and see how other countries approach sustainability. She said, "I feel like my professors at BW encouraged me to get out and see the world and I learned so much that way."

She added, "This is my dream job! Having the freedom to choose clients who truly align with my values, to travel, and make my own schedule was really important to me."