BW Grad Helps Design #ThisisCLE Summer Challenge

A Baldwin Wallace University public relations grad is in the thick of Destination Cleveland's summer campaign to increase the awareness of "locals who have yet to experience Cleveland's recent revival" with a goal of showing them "what this town is all about."

The tourism agency engaged a group of young professionals, including KeyBank social media manager Alyssa Purvis '12 to design (and take!) the #ThisisCLE challenge. Purvis, 25, and her peers helped create a short list of challenges that represents the best of Cleveland.

"It took a while to whittle it down," Purvis tells The Plain Dealer/cleveland.com. "We started with tons and tons. We went from festivals to food events to nonprofits to museums." 

Purvis, an Ashland native who settled in Cleveland after graduating from BW, told the newspaper that the summer challenge is designed to motivate people who rarely venture out from the suburbs.

"There's an untapped market here," she's quoted as saying. "Overall, I think a lot of people who live here just don't know enough about what's going on."

Just a few of the items on the challenge list include a river cruise aboard Nautica Queen and an Indians baseball game, plus visits to the Taste of Tremont, the Cleveland Flea and the beach at Edgewater Park for spectacular city views and sunsets. 

"I want to do them all," Purvis said. 

BW Profs Present Innovative Teaching Techniques in Higher Ed

Baldwin Wallace Faculty Members Andy Dohanos, Susan Finelli, Paul Penko and Jack Winget were front and center, promoting inspired teaching at the 2015 Teaching & Learning in Higher Education Conference, a two day conference focused on forward-thinking research, practices and perspectives in higher education. The four BW professors presented work in their given fields to benefit other college educators attending the conference at Franklin University in Columbus.

Dohanos, a BW grad who now teaches in the department of communication arts and sciences, and Winget, a longtime theatre professor, joined together for a session titled "From Improv to Praxis: Cross-Disciplinary Teaching and Learning." The pair drew on their experience co-teaching an innovative class at BW that teaches conflict resolution through both theatre and communication techniques.

Meanwhile, Finelli, who teaches both undergraduate and graduate technology courses in the School of Education, promoted tech integration in the classroom in her presentation, "The Tech Toolbox: Building for Student Success!" Physics department colleague, Penko, discussed "the need for students to exercise the entirety of an engineering project" using rocketry as the model elective in her presentation "An Elective in Rocketry."

Broadcasting Grad Works to Promote the Cool in Cleveland

Reporting for CoolCleveland at his Alma Mater!

A scant 14 miles north of BW, Cleveland is rising. Recently ranked a top world destination by The New York Times, the city is sparking the interest of, to name a few, sports fanatics, foodies and artists (and students!) from around the world.

Broadcasting and mass communications alumnus, Martin Bielat '13 is working to highlight the city's incredible offerings through his job as director of engagement for CoolCleveland.

"The site is an excellent resource for people looking to become more involved in Cleveland Life," Bielat explains. "We write about what's going on every week in Cleveland and deliver weekly newsblasts to inboxes all over northeast Ohio." Bielat's job involves writing stories, producing videos and promoting CoolCleveland projects across the region.

When asked to reflect on some of the coolest Cleveland scenes that he has had the chance to report on, he replied, "I think less about what I've reported on in the past and instead concentrate on what's going to be the next big Cleveland thing." According to Bielat, every day is a new experience and CoolCleveland gives him the opportunity to explore all of the "good" happening around the region.

Visit Bielat's page on CoolCleveland to view some of his stories and videos.

A Summer Spent Researching Autism is a Summer Well Spent

Gase is a member of the Baldwin Wallace chapter of the
National Student Speech Language Hearing Association.

Junior Communication Disorders major Jordan Gase is spending her summer working at Akron Children's Hospital as part of the Pediatric Research Scholar's Program through the Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute. Gase is one of 12 applicants selected to participate.

The 10-week program is designed to mentor college sophomores and juniors who are considering careers in medical-related fields. While working closely with healthcare practitioners, the students will conduct a variety of research projects that focus on areas throughout the hospital system such as: patient safety, effectiveness of new treatments and technologies, and improving patient's healthcare experience. At the end of the 10 weeks, students will present their research efforts to medical staff members, researchers, invited guests and peers.

Gase's research will focus on "Comparing Hospital-Based vs. Community-Based Pathways to Early Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder," an topic that aligns with her passions. "I am not only doing research, but I am an advocate for autism," Gase explained, "I'm just really hoping to make an impact, no matter how small, on the field or on someone's life."

Trendy BW Senior Finding Success With Fashion Blog

BW Senior Marketing and Public Relations major Chelsea Glosser has a passion for fashion... a passion that sparked the creation of Chelsea's Glossary, a style blog that demonstrates how to dress well without breaking the bank.

Chelsea began Chelsea's Glossary in 2013 after major online fashion bloggers inspired her to share her personal style on the Web. Chelsea has always loved art and views fashion as an art form that allows her to be creative and express herself. Averaging seven to eight posts a month, Chelsea's Glossary presents a fully accessorized outfit featuring products, normally found on sale, from a variety of brands such as Kate Spade, H&M and Target.

Recently, The Limited contacted Chelsea to ask permission to use her blog photos featuring the Limited Brand on their Website and Instagram account. Chelsea's Glossary will receive credit for these photos, which provides an opportunity for Chelsea to build her blog following.

In the future, Chelsea hopes to move to New York City and work in social media and marketing in the fashion industry. Chelsea's style advice to BW Blog readers? "Invest in classic pieces that will last you a long time and buy trendier pieces on sale or at lower prices." she says. "Oh, and your best accessory is always a smile!"

Communication Sciences & Disorders Professor Receives Award

Christie Needham, Assistant Professor of Communication Sciences & Disorders and the Director of Clinical Education at the Baldwin Wallace Speech Clinic, has been chosen to receive a Fellow of the Association award from the Ohio Speech-Language-Hearing Association (OSLHA).

The award recognizes individuals who have been in the speech-language profession for more than five years and have made significant contributions to and professional services in the field of speech, language and hearing. This year, Needham is one of two recipients in the state of Ohio who is receiving this life-time award at the organization's March convention.

Needham has done a variety of clinical work in addition to research involving nonverbal children and patients with Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia. She currently serves as the Treasurer for OSLHA as well as the faculty advisor for the Baldwin Wallace Chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

BW CIG Names First Faculty Innovation Fellows

BW's Center for Innovation and Growth

BW's Center for Innovation and Growth (CIG) recently appointed two faculty members to serve as the CIG's first Innovation Fellows beginning fall 2015 for two years.

After a rigorous application process and review from the CIG Innovation Fellowship committee, Tony Chen in the Economics department and Sean Gilmore in the Communication Arts and Sciences department were selected for this opportunity.

Through their fellowship, Chen and Gilmore will work on a variety of CIG projects and programs support the CIG's mission of "infusing innovation and entrepreneurship across the BW campus and Northeast Ohio."

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 Film Alum Gets Break in Industry Productions

Baldwin Wallace's own Lydia Griffiths '14 has just wrapped not one, but two hands-on film experiences working with Stephen David Entertainment, known for the shows Men Who Made America and The World Wars.

As a set decoration production assistant for an upcoming mini-series, the film studies and history double major worked on a team with the art department assisting the set decorator and production designer, moving and arranging everything on set from furniture to crates.

Before filming even wrapped, "Dia" was asked to return for another shoot, where she did everything from locking down streets to putting as many as 80 extras through wardrobe, hair, and makeup.

"It's hard to believe that I have already gotten to work in my chosen field with people who are doing what I love for a living," Griffiths said.

The recent grad broke into the business with the help of a Production Assistant Training Seminar this summer, but she attributes many of her skills to her hands-on work at BW.

"Getting to work with everyone in [BW's] PR department gave me an opportunity to be a self starter while working in a hierarchy system," Griffiths  said. "Thats how it rolls in the film world, too."

Though further details about the projects are still under wraps, Lydia said she is looking forward to sharing her success with the BW community.

PR Professor's Pencil Artwork Published in New Collection

Annie by Julie A. Miller

By profession, Baldwin Wallace Public Relations Professor Julie Miller is a storyteller. But the BW community may not realize that she doesn't just communicate with words.

The PR professor recently had a work of art featured in Hidden Treasures, a collection of colored pencil art published by renowned colored pencil artist Ann Kullberg.

Miller has had a life-long interest in art and has been taking classes in colored pencil technique for 20 years; she has been drawing for more than 40 years.

“I think my ability to communicate a company's story mirrors my ability as an artist to capture the essence and personality of my subjects," Miller said.

Miller says she prefers to draw animals, and has done commissioned works in the past.  

BW Students Plug into Politics at Candidates Forum

Baldwin Wallace students had a hand in promoting voter education in the run up to the November election. The BW Political Science Department and the League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland co-hosted a free forum featuring Cuyahoga County Executive candidates, Republican Jack Schron and Democrat Armond Budish on October 15.

Student volunteers representing the College Democrats and College Republicans plugged into the event at Kulas Musical Arts Buildings working as ushers and screeners, collecting and sifting through audience questions for moderator Pam Smith to pose to the candidates. Broadcasting majors were on hand to support the WBWC, 88.3 The Sting live radio broadcast and the BWTV recording of the forum.

A recap in The Cleveland Plain Dealer noted that both candidates "sharpened their attacks" in their final joint meeting before election day. WTAM radio also covered the forum, noting "fireworks" over the battle on expanding voting rights.

The entire forum is available for replay on BOXCAST, starting about 8 minutes into the recording.

BW psychology and Spanish double major Rachel Szeles '17 of Canton and political science major Kevin Kaufhold '18 of Olmsted Township help League of Women Voters volunteers screen questions for issues of local relevance.

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:

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.

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.

BW Alumni Pastoring Faith Journeys at area Churches

Two young alumni from Baldwin Wallace University are now full-time ministry leaders at area churches.
Quincy Wheeler '05, a Thompson Township native, graduated from BW with a BA in communications and went on to study at Ashland Theological Seminary, where he earned his Master's Degree.

A pastor's son, Wheeler now serves as assistant pastor at Mentor United Methodist Church where he leads the iConnect ministry of casual Sunday services. “My vision is to provide a service where anyone of any background feels comfortable and can connect for life with the word of God,” Wheeler told The News-Herald.

Phillip Kerlin '07, from Amherst, graduated from BW with a public relations major and a minor in religion. Upon graduation, Kerlin served as a director of the STORM youth center at Church on the Rise in Westlake where he also lead the production team.

Now, Kerlin is an assistant youth pastor at Journey Community Church in Fairview Park.

BW English Professor's Play Has Big Apple Opening

Baldwin Wallace English professor Dr. Les Hunter is making his mark on the theater world with the opening of his play, "I Like To Be Here: Jackson Heights Revisited, or This Is a Mango," in The Big Apple.

The play, the final installment in a trilogy focused on a multicultural neighborhood in Queens, New York, runs through September 27 at the New Ohio Theatre in New York City. “I Like To Be Here” also marks Hunter’s third writing collaboration as a part of the writing team Theater 167.











As one of seven writers of the play and one of 18 for the trilogy, Hunter sees the collaborative process as an opportunity to grow as a writer and teacher.

"It's not always easy, and the results are sometimes surprising." he says. "It's been good for me for teaching though, because sometimes when collaborating, like teaching, you have to let up on the reins and let the group go where it needs to go."

At BW, Hunter currently teaches a course in playwriting in addition to several others in the English department, and in the spring, he will also be teaching a screenwriting course.

Two of Hunter's other plays, "First Base Coach" (written with Elana Averback) and "Playdate," will also be read at the Dobama Theater in Cleveland September 22, with free admission.

WBWC Host "On the Air and Living His Dream"

Courtesy: SUN Newspapers

WBWC-radio host John Basalla '76, was the focus of a recent "Faces of the Sun" feature in the Northeast Ohio Media group's Sun Newspapers. Basalla hosts an alternative rock show on 88.3 FM, "

The Sting" from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, and plays music from 1900 to 1930 on the award-winning "1900s Yesterday," airing 5-5:30 p.m. on Sundays.

Basalla, who serves as the station's alumni programming consultant and has been involved with the station in various capacities since his freshman year at BW, also told the newspaper he's gearing up for WBWC's annual Beatles Marathon, which broadcasts from 7 a.m. Aug. 7 to to 1 a.m. Aug. 8. "The Beatles Marathon started with two students in 1981, and I took it over in '84 and have been doing it ever since."

TV5 Looks to BW for Commentary on Clippers controversy

Bringing real-world issues into the classroom, BW professor Dr. Sean Gilmore facilitated a discussion on the L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling controversy that garnered the attention of WEWS-NewsChannel5 reporter Debora Lee. Lee tapped into Gilmore's expert commentary as well as the opinions of Baldwin Wallace students in his interpersonal communication course for her news story.

Political Science Professor Talks Ukraine on Alumnus' Radio Show

Political Science and International Studies professor Dr. Judy Krutky joined BW alumnus Jasen Sokol '11 on his Akron talk radio show to discuss the latest developments in Ukraine.

In the clip available for replay on WAKR radio's website, Dr. Krutky explains how recent sanctions will affect the situation between Russia, Ukraine and neighboring nations.

By the way, The Jasen Sokol Show is a recent addition to WAKR's lineup, debuting in late February. Jasen's background, studying political science and broadcasting at BW, came together for his recent interview with Dr. Krutky. In his online biography, Jasen attributes the discovery of his passion for radio while working for WBWC The Sting. He minored in Broadcasting/Communications at BW and went on to earn a Master's degree from Kent State.

In addition to hosting his new midday radio show, Jasen serves as the morning news editor for AkronNewsNow.com and RCRG. You can also catch Jasen delivering morning traffic reports for 1590 WAKR, 97.5 WONE, 94.9 WQMX and 107.3 The WAVE in Cleveland.

Event Planning Class Creating "Udder Nonsense"

BW students are designing a cow-themed Udder Nonsense 5k Walk, Waddle, and Run to attract new visitors to Ohio's only state park with a working farm, Malabar Farms. The students are teaming up with The Malabar Farms Foundation to preserve and restore the historic "big house" at the State Park.

"My class actually created and implemented the event for the first time last April," BW Public Relations professor Tina Mihalek said. "It's full of lots of silly cow-themed antics and designed to get more visitors (especially first-timers) to this wonderful State Park."

The class is split into groups that are responsible for drafting sponsorship letters, developing partnerships, and managing advertising strategies.

 
Alexa Donner '16 says, "As a public relations major, this class has really helped me learn about event planning through a very hands on approach. It's great to already have a lot of experience outside of the classroom that I can put on my resume as a sophomore."

The race will be held Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Malabar Farm State Park.