BW Grad Student and Teacher Wins $1,000 Scholarship

Courtesy of PRWeb

Baldwin Wallace University graduate student and Cleveland school teacher Heather Marzenki has been named "the clear winner" of The Reeves Law Group annual academic scholarship contest and was awarded $1,000 in scholarship money.

Applicants were challenged to answer questions about what they have done to help lift people up in their communities. Marzenki, who is pursuing a Master's Degree in Education and is teaching at the St. Rocco School in Cleveland, described the challenges and successes of teaching students living at or near the poverty line.

"Heather's application was sincere, heartfelt, and very deserving," said Robert Reeves, founder of the  the southern California-based law firm. "Not only does she run multiple fundraisers throughout the year...but she collects used clothing and shoes outside of school to assist these same families."

Business Faculty Highlighted in the News

Dr. Lori K Long

Three BW's school of business professors continue to be go-to resources for the media, lending their expertise in an array of recent hot-button news pieces. 

Dr. Lori K. Long, along with other experts in the field, was a featured consultant in a Crain's Cleveland Business article discussing the benefits of employers providing opportunities for sabbatical. In the article, Dr. Long talks about how paid sabbatical "can be a retention tool" to keep employees invested with their companies.

Dr. Kevin Jacques

Dr. Phil Bessler

Offering expertise in finance, Dr. Kevin Jacques was featured in two separate pieces for Marketplace, heard on PBS stations across the country.  Speaking to his extensive experience with the U.S. Treasury Department, Dr. Jacques provided insight into the logic behind the newly-selected Antonio Weiss for Treasury undersecretary. In another Marketplace report, Dr. Jaques was featured discussing changes to Wells Fargo's approach to student loans.

Meantime, in a report broadcast on WEWS TV-5 Cleveland, Dr. Phil Bessler consulted on the recent ups and downs of gas prices, saying that "stations are required to raise the prices even though gas in the tank is not the wholesale price," adding that prices can "go up like a rocket and down like a feather."

BW Students and Faculty Broadcasters Win IBS Broadcasting Awards

Members of WBWC 88.3FM The Sting

Five BW student broadcasters and
two faculty members involved in the college's radio station, WBWC 88.3FM "The Sting," were Silver Microphone award winners in the 2015 Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS)Awards in  Excellence in Radio/TV/Webcasting.

WBWC broadcasts to the Cleveland and Lorain County area and was the first student-run radio station in the United States. Signed in 1986, this nonprofit radio station is educational and allows for first-hand experience in communication, business writing, public relations, and music.

The BW student IBS Silver Microphone winners for Best Promo Series include: station General Manager Liz Miller '15, a Broadcasting and Mass Communications major from Libson, Ohio; Bruce Stacey '16, the Program Director and Broadcasting and Mass Communications major also from Libson, and Michael Widman '15, music director and Marketing and Public Relations major from Bloomville, Ohio. Faculty members who were finalists for this category are production consultant, Todd Richards and Joe Tarantowski, WBWC Director of Broadcasting.

Sam Trap '17, a Broadcasting and Mass Communications major from Medina, OH took home a silver award for Best Underwriting Campaign. Bruce Stacey and Alex Nixon '18, a Deejay and Film Major from Medina, OH won Silver in the Best Liner category.

The award winners were recognized March 6-8 during the 74th Annual IBS Conference in New York City, where students also presented. 

BW Junior Broadcasting Major, Kyle Susman (left) and BW Senior Public Relations Major (right) in the station's studio

BW Wrestler's Inspiring Story Featured in NCAA Video

The inspiring story of BW junior education major and wrestler Jesse Gunter is the focus of a recent NCAA video which showcases the student-athlete's quest to fight his way to the top despite being legally blind.

The video shows how Gunter, a motivated and dedicated wrestler, who was born blind in one eye and ninety percent blind in the other eye, has wrestled his way to high heights, placing third in the 2014 NCAA Division III National Championships, earning Division III All-American honors and an impressive sophomore wrestling record of 34-5.

It also features Gunter's parents and his coaches who have been inspired by the Yellow Jacket's ambition to be the best.

Gunter is presently competing in his third season of wrestling at BW, on track to earn his third varsity letter and more as one of the top ranked Division III wrestlers in the country. 

Empowering Experience in D.C.

They connected with a White House correspondent, marveled at the monuments, and noshed with notables. And learned what it means to be successful in Washington, D.C.

“Having the opportunity to speak with powerful and influential women to learn what they do and about the challenges they face was an eye-opening experience,” said Jenna Burnett ‘14, one of 13 students who traveled to the nation’s capital last semester with Dr. Barbara Palmer (political science) as part of her “Women, Politics, and the Media” class.

The students had a robust two-day schedule that included attending a dinner party at the home of Susannah Wellford, founder and president of Running Start, where they met Betty Sutton, administrator of the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp.; Katie Vlietstra, treasurer of Women Under Forty PAC; Sarah Simmons, vice president at Neilson; and David Wasserman, US House analyst with the Cook Political Report.

The following day they visited the Office of Representative Marcy Kaptur and met with her staff; had lunch at the National Press Club with Angela Greiling Keane, White House correspondent for Bloomberg News; and went to the studios of PBS’ "To the Contrary" to meet with host Bonnie Erbé.

Students called the experience “empowering,” “amazing,” and the best kind of learning experience: linking what they did in the class room to the real world.

Grad Featured as "Millennial Expert" in Forbes Article

Author and career coach Antoine Moss, PhD. '05 was asked to weigh in on the generation now entering the job market for a "Forbes" article, "What Millennials And Their Leaders Must Know To Succeed" --published shortly before he will begin sharing his knowledge back on campus later this semester.

The BW grad majored in criminal justice with a minor in psychology, going on to receive his doctorate degree from Cleveland State University at the age of 28. Specializing professionally in helping young college graduates to secure job placement in their dream jobs, Moss offered "Forbes" insight on the Millennial mindset and provided tips on developing workplace leadership tailored to helping the new generation succeed.

"[T]ry to understand millennials [generally those who were born in the 1980s and 1990s] in an effort to understand the ways they can help your company grow," Moss gave as one key piece of advice: "Work towards problem-seeking solutions."

Moss will be bringing his expertise back to the BW community this year, joining the Advisory Committee for the Political Science Department and serving as a guest speaker in a political science class taught by Dr. Tom Sutton.

Students and Faculty Win Kennedy Theatre Festival Honors

BW Theatre students attending the KCACTF in Cleveland’s PlayhouseSquare

BW students took home several honors at the recent Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region 2. More than 1,200 theatre students, faculty and professionals from nine states attended the festival, swarming venues at PlayhouseSquare in Cleveland, the country’s largest performing arts center outside of New York.

Joey Corradi ’16, a theatre-acting major, was nominated to participate in the Irene Ryan Acting Competition for his performance in ROMEO & JULIET. Out of 236 nominated actors, he made it to the final round of 16 and was honored with the Festival’s Classical Acting Award. His scene partner was Kelsey Baehrens '17, and BW Theatre & Dance Department chair, Adam Heffernan, was his acting coach.

Dayne Sundman ’15 a theatre-stage management major, and Brandon Romano ’15, an English major/theatre minor, were named as first alternates for the Institute in Theatre Journalism and Advocacy Award. Dayne and Brandon attended all the invited productions during the festival and wrote reviews under the guidance of The Plain Dealer's Andrea Simakis and region faculty.

Additional honors that were announced prior to the opening of the festival include a Certificate of Merit for Excellence in Directing to Adam Heffernan for BW's production of ROMEO & JULIET and a Certificate of Merit for Excellence in Costumes to the ROMEO & JULIET costume team of Charlotte Yetman (Faculty/Costume Designer), Melanie Boeman (Costume Shop Manager) and theatre major Molly Huey ’16 (Assistant to the Designer).

Adam Heffernan, Joey Corradi '16 and Kelsey Baehrens '17 in the Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square

BW Alumni Honored with Impact Award

Award recipients including Adam Sheldon and Justin Caithaml, back row, right

Two BW alumni were among the recent honorees at the 5th Annual Morgan Impact Awards honoring individuals and organizations impacting areas of mental health, education and arts

More than 350 guests were on hand at the Northeast Ohio Medical University Education and Wellness Center as Adam Sheldon ’11, MBA ’12 and Justin Caithaml '14 were presented the Award for Education for the development of "unique methods using creative arts to enhance academic performance" with the BW student-run program, Shaping Music And Reading Together (SMART)."

Recognizing the need for pre-service educators to have authentic teaching experiences in diverse settings, and with the support of their Baldwin Wallace University professors, peers and administration, they formed a partnership with Akron Public Schools to craft a student-led urban teaching initiative. "SMART students learn about different cultures through story exploration, movement, and music creation."

You can see the program in action in the video the Impact Awards on SMART.

BW Business Dean Weighs in for Crain's 2015 Predictions

"A continuing resurgence" is what BW School of Business Dean John Lanigan sees in greater Cleveland's future. Lanigan is among the Northeast Ohio leaders tapped by Crain's Cleveland to share "hopes, concerns and expectations" in a special Crain's “Predictions 2015” section in the business weekly.

Lanigan expects advanced manufacturing and 'everything bio' — biotech, bioenergy, biomedical, etc. — to be hot in 2015 and says improving education, with a focus on STEM (science, technology, education and math), is key to sustaining the economic momentum in Northeast Ohio. Given that momentum, especially in downtown Cleveland, Lanigan also believes the region should be laser focused on developing the hospitality industry.

“People throughout the rest of the country are starting to recognize Northeast Ohio has a lot to offer visitors," Lanigan told Crain's. "Although the RNC isn’t until 2016, 2015 is a critical year to prove the city is ready for the convention. This will be an absolute showcase for the entire region. All the preparation for the convention is critical.”

For a wider look at the challenges, and opportunities on the 2015 landscape, don't miss "Economic Insights: Global, National, Regional," a panel discussion headlined by local and international experts on Wednesday, January 28 at BW's Center for Innovation and Growth (CIG).

The event, presented by the Baldwin Wallace School of Business and the BW MBA Association, is free, but space in limited and advance registration is strongly encouraged.

Composer In Residence Wins Composition Prize

BW's Composer in Residence and music professor, Dr. Clint Needham, has been awarded the 2014 Walter Beeler Memorial Composition Prize from Ithaca College. Needham's Concerto for Wind Ensemble, written for and premiered by the BW Symphonic Wind Ensemble and conducted by Dwight Oltman (now retired), was one of 90 entries in this bi-annual wind ensemble/ concert band composition contest.

It's the latest recognition for Needham, who has received numerous awards in his still young career and has had many pieces published and performed by symphonic bands and orchestras around the globe. You can listen to an excerpt of Concerto for Wind Ensemble on Needham's SoundCloud page, where you'll find excerpts from some of his other acclaimed compositions.