Student Research Featured in Hospital Video

Stephanie Darm '15, a communication disorders major at BW, is featured in the "Spotlight Video" in the current issue of the Akron Children's Research Pursuits newsletter.

In the video,  Darm appears with her mentor, Megan Cook, a researcher at the Family Children Learning Center.  The pair conducted research through the Summer Pediatric Research Scholars program (SPRS), looking into "the use of the LENA device to record and analyze the effect of preschool activities on language development."

Hear about Darm's research experience in her own words:

Crain's Recognizes BW Alumni For Business, Civic Contributions

Crain's Cleveland Business

Kate Bang MBA '12, Ryan Cross '97, Nichelle McCall '05, and Jennifer Piechowski '05 have been recognized in the 2014 Crain's Cleveland 40 Under 40. Now in it's 23rd year, Crain’s Forty under 40 program has recognized almost 900 honorees for their professional success and civic contributions. The 2014 event was held at the RED Space at Hotcards and had 350+ attendees.

Ryan Cross is presently the vice president and campaign director of institutional relations and development of University Hospitals; he also serves as a BW Trustee. Kate Bang is the employee benefits president of USI Insurance Services. Nichelle McCall is the CEO of Bold Guidance, and Jennifer Piechowski serves as the vice president of agency services of Key Bank.

Les Misérables Revolutionary Success with BW Involvement

Rave reviews have been rolling in for the Victoria Bussert-directed production of LES MISÉRABLES for the Great Lakes Theater. The show not only features BW's director of music theatre at the helm, but countless other BW students, alumni and faculty on stage and behind the scenes.

"[Bussert's LES MISÉRABLES] relies on performances rather than pyrotechnics, and it is glorious in its simplicity," Andrea Simakis of The Plain Dealer said, lauding the show overall as "rendered as exquisitely and passionately as a Monet brushstroke."

The review also recognizes the work of two more of BW's own in applauding the "hypnotic" choreography of Gregory Daniels, professor of dance, and the "bracingly realistic" set design of Jeff Hermann.

BW seniors Kyle Jean Baptiste and Keri René Fuller also received a highlight in the review for their powerful performances as Enjolras and Éponine, respectively. Other BW students/alumni in the ensemble include seniors Brandyn Day, Mickey Ryan, and Sam Wolfe, while BW alumni Laura Welsh Berg '05, Jodi Dominick '01, Clare Eisentrout '13, and Alex Syiek '13 add to the cast of 23.

In addition to reviews from the Akron Beacon Journal, Cleveland Scene, Roy Berko.info and AXS.com, the show also received top marks from the Idaho Statesman when it premiered at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival in July. LES MISÉRABLES is at PlayhouseSquare's Hanna Theatre through November 9, with many performances sold out.

BW Professor Honored for Impact on the LGBT Community

Dr. Swagata Banik director of BW's public health program received recognition for "creating impactful, long-lasting change" in the LGBT community in the Cleveland area.

In celebration of National LGBT History Month, the City of Cleveland, Cleveland Community Relations Board, and the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland honored Dr. Banik and three other leaders at the Sixth Annual Heritage Day at Cleveland City Hall this week. The event featured Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson and Councilman Joe Cimperman.

Dr. Banik was recognized for his contributions to the betterment of the LGBT community in the area of Education & Social Services. His current research focuses on individual and environmental factors related to HIV health disparity in the United States and in India. Dr. Banik is the principle investigator on a National Institute of Health (NIH)-funded research grant on "IV Stigma Reduction among Health Care Providers."

Physics Professor Authors Problem-Solving Book for Teachers

Dr. Edwin Meyer, chair of BW's physics department, is expanding the reach of his philosophy that problem-solving is a pathway to lifelong career agility. Meyer has co-authored a new textbook for teachers, “Guide to Teaching Puzzle-Based Learning" and is now available from all major booksellers.

The book, published by textbook giant Springer, provides teaching strategies to encourage and expand the problem-solving and critical thinking capabilities of all students.

Having spent time as a corporate job recruiter in the past, Meyer believes that problem-solving is the key to success in any field and incorporates this idea into both his own courses and into the guide book: “By far the most marketable skill in the workplace today is the general ability to solve problems. That is, the ability to think creatively and intensely - about anything,” Meyer says.

At BW, in addition to his physics classes, Meyer teaches graduate and undergraduate problem-solving courses that include a timed Rubik's Cube challenge, thought-provoking puzzles and other other mental calisthenics. He also runs enrichment programs for high school students and had led workshops and seminars on problem-solving from New Jersey to Australia.

Meyer's publisher, Springer, has plans to translate the book into German and Japanese, as well.

New Conductor Reimagines the Concert Going Experience

In advance of his debut concert as Director of Wind Ensembles at BW's Conservatory of Music, Brendan Caldwell was a guest on WCLV radio this week. Caldwell told host morning host Jacqueline Gerber that he approaches music as a tool to foster both musical and personal transformation for the musicians and the listener.

Caldwell says he employs “integrated listening" and an artistic process "deeply rooted in collaboration" to form unique partnerships with ensembles, soloists, composers, and audience members-- all with the aim of "re-imagining the concert going experience."

Caldwell has released a CD, Gypsy Radio and the Rock and Roll Consecration, that explores mindful listening, and he is currently in the process of finishing two books on the topic: The Conscious Conductor and The Buddha and Bruce Springsteen.

Audience members who attend his first BW concert in Gamble Auditorium this Friday, October 10, 2014 at 7 p.m. are also invited to enjoy a "Meet the Conductor" reception following the performance. Both events are free and open to the public. You can also listen to a replay of Caldwell's WCLV interview online at this link.

BW Jazzed to Recognize Accomplished Conservatory Grad

Kevin Johnson ’12 will be the first guest artist and honoree at a newly developed annual concert event featuring a BW Conservatory of Music jazz emphasis alum. The inaugural event includes a solo performance at Cleveland’s Brothers Lounge on Saturday, Oct. 11.

Johnson holds a Bachelor of Music in trumpet performance from BW and is currently a second-year graduate student at Indiana University pursuing a degree in jazz studies.

During his time here at BW, Johnson helped to found our celebrated “BW Beatles,” serving as the Music Director of their Magical Mystery Tour and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band concerts.

Since graduating, Johnson has been writing for the world's largest print music publisher, Hal Leonard Corporation, recently publishing The Beatles Session Parts, a collection of 20 songs, in score format, with the parts for string, woodwind, and brass session players, and Trumpet Aerobics, a 52-week one-exercise-a-day workout program for developing, improving, and maintaining trumpet technique.

Recent performance highlights include appearances with the Columbus Symphony, the Blossom Festival Band, and the Brent Wallarab Jazz Ensemble in New York City’s Jazz at Lincoln Center, accompanying Grammy award winning vocal jazz ensemble, The New York Voices.

Johnson’s composition, The Seventh Trumpet, was released on BW professor, Jack Sutte’s CD, Fanfare Alone. Johnson credits his studies with Sutte, Greg Banaszak and "the world-class education and opportunities he received at BW" for launching his successful career.

Broadcasting Grad to Moderate Panel at Music Fest

Tyler Freese ’13, will get the chance to help spread the word about the importance of college radio as he moderates a panel at CMJ Music Marathon during College Day.

The marathon, held October 21-25 in New York City, is billed as "the world’s largest festival for emerging music," featuring over 1,400 live performances from all around the world. College Day, specifically, promotes the importance of college radio in the music industry.

The panel Freese will lead, titled"Family Ties," will be a discussion of how college radio can be a connecting element for schools and communities. The former music director for BW's student-run station, WBWC is looking forward to meeting others with a passion for college radio:

“College radio is this awesome network of students and promoters from all over the country that are all working towards the exact same thing—getting awesome music out to everyone. CMJ is the one time where we really all come together.”

Freese, who completed his undergraduate at BW in broadcasting and mass communications, is currently a radio promoter for Co-sign, an agency working with musicians, record labels, and brands to develop artists and coordinate campaigns to promote their music.

Community Spirit, Gridiron Win and Yellow Jacket Royalty Highlight Homecoming 2014

Rudy Kuntz '16 and Brianna Razzante '15

Baldwin Wallace University's Homecoming Weekend had the whole Yellow Jacket community abuzz. To kick off the festivities, over 300 students attended the Homecoming Pep Rally with performances from dance groups such as Urban Dance Association and the BW Cheerleaders. After the BW Marching Yellow Jackets had the crowd on their feet and President Helmer revved the crowd up with a pep talk, Alex Papke '18 and Lauryn Wright '18 were named as the 2014 Jacket Prince and Princess. 

On Saturday, the morning began with Alumni reunions and the Homecoming Parade where several Baldwin Wallace organizations put together parade floats to be judged by BW faculty and staff. After the parade, the the Yellow Jackets took on the Muskingum University Fighting Muskies.

Away from the football action,  the 2014 Homecoming King and Queen were announced, with Rudy Kuntz '16, a Finance major from Seven Hills, Ohio, and Brianna Razzante '15, an Early Childhood Education major from Solon, Ohio wearing the crowns.

With a final score of 35-7, a Yellow Jacket win ignited the crowd in fierce applause. After the game, Luke Riemenschneider '15, defensive end, won the Frank Ropollo Award as the Player-of-the-Game.

To cap off the weekend, the Sophomore Class Officers hosted a Homecoming Dance for students in the Student Activities Center.

More Homecoming images

Duck Tape Maker Gives BW Senior HR Experience that "Sticks"

An experience that will "stick" with her

Stephanie Knezevic '15 returned to campus this fall with valuable human resources experience under her belt.

Knezevic completed an internship at ShurTech Brands, LLC.,  in Avon, Ohio this summer. Her assignments at the company ranged from researching how to improve training systems, to sitting in on meetings and interviews to observe how HR professionals conduct business. She also scheduled interviews for potential candidates and helped plan company events.

Being a human resource management major in BW's School of Business, Knezevic was more than happy to land the internship at the company, which includes the iconic Duck Tape as one of it's well-known brands.

"I earned first-hand experience in all the various aspects of [Human Resources]," she says. "I [was able] to see what all of the human resource fields were like, and I got a little bit of experience with each."

Broadcasting Alumna Reports for Wake Up Wisconsin

Caroline Bach '12

Viewers of Wake Up Wisconsin Weekend are now waking up to the face and voice of a BW alumna. Caroline Bach '12, a broadcasting and mass communications major, and member of BW's Honor's Program has joined the news team at WKOW-TV Madison, Wisc. and now anchors the weekend morning newscast for the station.

During her undergraduate studies, Bach kick-started her career by producing for Parma Area Community Television, reporting on local issues. She later interned at WEWS-TV Cleveland, and at WTOL-TV Toledo. Bach also landed an internship with Dateline NBC and Rock Center with Brian Williams in New York City.

After graduation from BW, Bach served as a weekend anchor at WVVA-TV in Bluefield, West Virginia, where she reported on stories with national impact, such as Hurricane Sandy and the Freedom Industries chemical spill into the Elk River in Charleston.

Professor's Lecture in France is "Magnifique"

Dr. Peter Hoekje, BW professor of physics got to take his passions across the world this summer... invited to give a lecture as a part of the International Symposium on Musical Acoustics in Le Mans, France.

The conference centered around research on the physics of musical instruments and voice, sound synthesis and analysis, and the perception of musical sounds. In his talk, Hoekje incorporated demonstrations of a variety of instruments, including the crowd-favorite "carrot clarinet."

Hoekje’s teaching philosophy encourages students to take their learning beyond the classroom: "All my classes incorporate hands-on or experiential learning, because it’s fun and makes learning the abstract concepts much easier. There is always a project where students apply the course material to something directly relevant to themselves."

While Dr. Hoekje teaches physics workshop courses and courses on waves, optics, and mechanics, he passes on his passion for musical science in his 100-level acoustics course with labs that include students constructing their own flutes.