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!

English Major Published in Ohio Magazine

At the end of her interview with Ohio Magazine,  senior English-creative writing major, Alyssa Nieset '16 was offered an internship on the spot.

Nieset spent her summer working as an Editorial Intern with the statewide publication, gaining experience writing for magazines and discovering a possible career path that she hopes to pursue in the not so distant future.

Ohio Magazine published Neiset's articles both online and in print (see photo). Her piece on the Harpersfield Winery in her hometown of Geneva, Ohio, was used as a section of the cover story in the August 2015 issue.

"I was thrilled to be given the chance to write a story of that size," she tells us about the prominent feature, "especially because my family and I have been going there since I was little."

Other articles Neiset bylined included pieces on a cardboard boat regatta, creative bacon recipes, Columbus coffee brewers, and summer fun destinations in Cleveland. Despite juggling some stressful deadlines, Nieset says her overall experience at Ohio Magazine was a positive and rewarding one.

Senior Takes Psychology Research to NYC

Undergraduate research successes at BW often result in impressive national presentation opportunities. That's the case for BW psychology/ pre-medical major Kyle Johnston '16, who spent three semesters researching the effects of concussion in athletes. His unique study analyzed information from all 23 athletic teams at BW. 

In May, the rising senior and aspiring medical professional took his research on the road. Johnston and his faculty advisor, Dr. Dale Grubb presented the research at the American Psychology Society's 27th annual Conference in New York City. APS not only provided an excellent conference for showcasing the research, but allowed Johnston to gain insight on similar psychological studies.

Sport Management Majors Intern with NFL's Dawg Pound

Photo Courtesy of the Cleveland Browns.

Everyone sees Johnny Manziel, Joe Haden and other Cleveland Browns superstars in the news and on the field. But not everyone sees them at work every day.

Eric Kwiatkowski '17 and Kevin Hulsmann '16 are working as Team Operations interns for the Browns this summer. The sport management majors assist with Training Camp in a variety of ways, driving shuttles of Browns players back and fourth from their hotel to the training facilities, taking inventory and distributing training camp schedules to players, managers and other members of the Browns' support staff.

"I like working with the Browns because I get to be a part of something that I've loved my whole life," Kwiatkowski tells us. "I get to see what goes on behind the scenes to make a Browns season happen."

Both students found out about the internship through BW sport management professor Charles Campisi. "The sport management professors at BW are always sending us emails about internships in the sporting industry which gives us many opportunities," says Hulsmann.

Both Kwiatkowski and Hulsmann believe they are fortunate to have landed summer internships that are exposing them to a side of the pro sports industry that they have never seen before.

Student Writer Spends His Summer at Outlook Ohio Magazine

The multi-talented Nathan Cole '17 took his passion for writing to Columbus this summer. Cole, an English major who also writes student and alumni success stories for BW, spent his summer in an editorial internship with Outlook Ohio magazine. Outlook Ohio is a free, monthly publication that is geared for the LGBT and allied community and can be found on newsstands in over 2,000 locations around the state. 

"I have had so many different opportunities to grow in the field of journalism and communications," Cole explains. In addition to contributing to Outlook Ohio's online blog, Cole had articles published in the July and August print magazines, and will have another article published in the upcoming September issue.

He had the opportunity to interview and write about RuPaul's Drag Race Season 7 runner-up, Pearl; fashion director of the Columbus Fashion Meets Music Festival, Horacio Nieto; and Neon Trees lead singer, Tyler Glenn, just to name a few. 

The publishing industry, according to Cole, is nothing like what we see in 'The Devil Wears Prada.' He says that he could not be happier about his summer at Outlook Ohio.

Cole's published article on the 2015 Gay Softball World Series in Outlook Ohio Magazine. 

Pre-Physical Therapy Major has High-Flying Internship Overseas

Levin (bottom) skydiving over the coast of Israel. 

As college students, many of us spend our summers building our resumes through internships and volunteer opportunities. Jon Levin '17 is spending his summer doing just that, but with a major plot twist. Levin's internship is in Bnei Brak, Israel.

The pre-physical therapy and exercise science major is interning as an assistant to the physical therapists at Ateret Rimonim, a retirement home, located in Bnei Brak. The eight week internship has included working with patients on motor functions, occupational therapy activities and daily exercises. Although he is not licensed to lead physical therapy by himself, Levin is able to assist with small physical therapy exercises and activities under supervision.

Representing Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at The Kotel in Jerusalem

Levin and his fellow interns use their days off to travel around Israel. He's had the opportunity to visit Jerusalem and the City of David, repel down a 164-foot cliff in Tel Aviv and, his favorite experience: skydiving over the coast of Israel (see photo!). At 11,000 feet above the coast, he was able to see some incredible views of both Israel and Lebanon.

The Olmsted Falls native tells us that his time in Israel has exceeded his expectations. "I am loving being in Israel for the summer and the experiences that I have had are ones that cannot be replicated in the States."

Levin heard about this opportunity through the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, and competed to land the internship in an extensive interview process. The effort, he says,  has proved to be completely worth it!

Sustainability Major Creating a Greener Cleveland

Senior Stephanie Poutz is dedicating her summer to creating a greener Cleveland. The sustainability and business administration double major is working at West Creek Conservancy in an internship that is supported by the Cleveland Foundation. The Foundation's internship program connects undergraduate and graduate students with experiences in nonprofit and public sector agencies.

Just two short years ago, West Creek Conservancy was a run-down ten acre parking lot. After years of planning, the parking lot was demolished and the Conservancy, home to wetlands, plants and wildlife was created. 

Every day on the job is different for Poutz. Her internship responsibilities range from assisting with identifying additional restoration areas for future wetlands to working on volunteer management, open-house activities and professional development.

In a post on the Cleveland Foundation blog, Poutz described how her internship has inspired her passion for sustainability. "I get the pleasure of spending time in nature each day while working with people who share the passion for improving our environment. These experiences have helped me learn more about watersheds than I ever would have in one of my classes, as well as help me discover a new love for the outdoors." 

BW Career Network Helps Marketing Major Land Internship

Senior Kevin Fredrick may be spending his summer days working 8-5, but he doesn't mind.

With help from the BW Career Network (BWCN), the marketing major from Archibold, Ohio found an internship that perfectly aligns with his major and his interests. Fredrick is working at American Tank and Fabrication (AT&F), one of the world's premier metal fabricators, as a Marketing Intern. The BWCN is a web-based platform designed to connect BW students and alumni with employers for jobs and internships.

Fredrick's position keeps him busy throughout the day with a never-ending to-do list that consists of tasks like creating trend reports, maintaining the company's customer relationship software and editing press releases, articles and other publications. Fredrick also assists with internal marketing for the company.

Fredrick tells us he enjoys the variety. "My days aren't repetitive. I do a lot of different things for a lot of different departments and people. Though the workload can be a challenge, it's one that I welcome."


AT&F is a small family owned, family operated business and in the three months that Fredrick has worked there, he feels as though he has created solid relationships with his AT&F colleagues.

"I feel cared about. The people here are seriously focused on group success and it feels much more gratifying to be working with people who share in each other's successes."

Post graduation, Fredrick hopes to work for an advertising agency, doing content marketing, and he feels fortunate to have an internship that is preparing him for a future in his intended career field.

Internship Creates "Summer of Purpose" for English Major

Senior English major Kristina DeGirolamo '16 is spending her summer interning in a field that she feels truly passionate about: nonprofit work. DeGirolamo is as an advancement (fundraising) intern with Stepstone Academy, a charter school associated with Ohio Guidestone.

The paid, competitive internship is supported by the Cleveland Foundation Summer Internship program which connects undergraduate and graduate students with meaningful, career-related experiences in nonprofit and public sector agencies.

During her first week on the job, she experienced fundraising in action on a large scale at Stepstone's annual Golf Classic event.

Writing on the Cleveland's Foundation's blog, DeGirolamo said, from the beginning, she felt at home with the faculty, staff and students. "I've seen staff who come into work with a grin every day, students who are excited about learning and donors who want to impact the lives of others."

DeGirolamo believes that nonprofits are key to any city, especially Cleveland where organizations such as Stepstone Academy have made it their mission to improve the lives of others in the community. For DeGirolamo, this truly is a "Summer of Purpose."

As part of their "Summer of Purpose," DeGirolamo (2nd from left) and 17 other Cleveland Foundation interns visited Cleveland City Hall and met with Mayor Frank Jackson.

Sport Management Major Lands Internship in Florida

Brown (R) with two other HJGT Interns 

Rebecca Brown '16 is spending her summer in the Sunshine State where she landed an on-par internship. The senior sport management major is interning as a State Marketing Representative for the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour (HJGT) in Jacksonville, Fla. HJGT provides junior golfers with the opportunity to play a variety of courses in more than 20 states in a competitive golfing environment. The main focus of Brown's internship is to promote the golf tour's current events, as well as to research venues for future events.

"I am completely operations minded and like hands-on tasks" Brown explained "But I decided to take on a marketing position to expose myself to something new."

No stranger to the world of internships, Brown's resume is already quite lengthy. Some of her past internships have included positions with the Athletic Scholarship Corporation, BW Athletic Department and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. During the upcoming school year Brown will be interning with Cleveland State University.

Recently, Brown was also named one of four recipients of the 2015 Greater Cleveland WISE  (Women in Sports and Events) scholarship. For now, her ultimate career goal is to work in an athletic conference at the collegiate level. However, she says with every new experience, her career goals evolve and change!

"American Idiot" Showcases Vocal Chops of BW Students, Grad

 Left to right: Jonathan Walker White '11, Dan Folino and Riley Ewing '17 in Beck's production of "American Idiot,"

Photo Courtesy: Patrick R. Murphy/PRM Digital Productions

Current BW music theatre students and a graduate are rocking Beck Center for the Arts summer production of "American Idiot," a rock opera based on a 2004 Green Day 2004 album. In a theatre preview for The Plain Dealer, Andrea Simakis credits Jonathan Walker White '11 in the role of "Tunny" and Riley Ewing '17 as "Will" with having "the pipes to pull off both raging, anthemic rock and the vocal demands of a musical."

In addition to the BW talent mentioned in the preview, Annalise Griswold '18 and Olivia Kaufman '18 are also in the production; Griswold appears in the role of "Heather" and Kaufman plays "Whatshername."

The show opens at Beck Center in Lakewood 8 p.m. Friday, July 10 with performances at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 16.

A host of BW talent is performing and producing coast to coast this summer. Watch this space for more info. Break legs #YJ4L!

A Not So Typical Summer Vacation Destination

McHale (left) and Gattis (right) 

The typical college student's summer vacation destination might consist of a beach, big city or other tourist destination. But senior public health major Mary McHale and sophomore arts management major Sarah Gattis are far from typical. They chose to spend their first month of summer vacation doing service work in Cape Coast, Ghana in Africa.

Their focus was on assisting teachers with their daily lessons in various schools around the Cape Coast area. Since it was the rainy season in Ghana, Gattis explained that "we would teach about personal hygiene and sanitation to prevent the children from getting sick and spreading diseases."

The women lived with a host family which helped to fully immerse them in the Ghanian culture. McHale, who has traveled to Ghana two times previously, said her host mother for this trip was a great cook.

Of course there were challenges to be faced along the way from illness to infrastructure. Hot water was only available by boiling it, and the power frequently went out. During the rainy season, flooding presented another challenge because on rainy days most of the city and surrounding areas would be shut down.

In spite of the challenges, both McHale and Gattis feel blessed to have had such an incredible experience. McHale explained her love for the country by saying that "the environment is very different from the U.S. and everyone is always looking out for me and making sure that I am safe. I think that the people are what I like most and their kindness is what I'll always remember." Both women vow to return to Cape Coast very soon.

High fives for all! 

Neuroscience and Biology Major Interns at NASA

Rising senior Christin Godale is spending her summer doing an "out of this world" internship. The neuroscience and biology double major is interning at the NASA Glenn Research Center as a Human Research Project intern doing research on a project called the "Digital Astronaut."

According to Godale, a day in the life of a Human Research Project intern consists mainly of working on visual impairment and intracranial pressure models. These models deal with the effects that long-term exposure to microgravity has on the structure of the eye. The research seeks to explain why many astronauts experience poorer vision after returning from space, as astronaut Mike Kelly discussed with CBS News this week from the International Space Station.



Interning at Glenn has benefited Godale in a variety of ways from developing her critical thinking skills to networking with NASA employees. She also has the unique benefit of using the research that she is doing this summer for her BW neuroscience thesis which she will present in Spring 2016.

Godale hopes to eventually pursue her Ph.D. in neuroscience or cell biology, although her experience at NASA has sparked her interest as a possible career path as well.

Viva Italia! BW Soccer Teams Compete, Bond in Italy

Group photo on the Spanish Steps in Rome

Nine days, five cities and three games. Nothing says "team bonding" quite like traveling to Italy together and the BW Men's and Women's Soccer teams had the opportunity to step out of their comfort zones and do just this spring.

After kicking off the trip in Milan, the teams traveled though Italy, stopping in Como, Pisa, Tuscany, Florence and ending in Rome. The players were given time to explore each city and visit famous historical sites such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa and The Colosseum in Rome. They also had the once in a lifetime experience to see the Italian soccer teams Juventus and Inter Milan play at the San Siro Stadium in Milan.

Pre-game photo of the Women's team in Sarzana, Italy

Both teams played three challenging games against borderline professional soccer teams along the way. Senior Assistant Coach Louie Rolko explained that "our players were not able to use their athleticism to break these difficult teams down and instead were forced to think through problems." As a result, they developed some great chemistry that will be beneficial during the upcoming season.

Off the field, Rolko noticed social bonding, as well.  Junior Justin Ball summed up his experience in Italy this way: "The trip allowed for all of us to be together for an extended period of time which did a world of good for all of us and I believe that now I am closer to every member of both teams."

Life Changing International Travel Marks May Term

Close to 60 students and five faculty members packed their bags and spent May term abroad on three very exciting and very different international experiences in China, London and Costa Rica.

Twenty-one students and two faculty members, Professor John Fuehrer and Dr. Liya Wang, traveled to China for a three week business and sociology-based exploration for students who took the Modern China course during the Spring 2015 semester.  Students focused on what it's like to do business in China's major cities and how understanding cultures can help when doing business globally. Students also visited cultural sites including the Great Wall, Forbidden City and different temples and monasteries. Other highlights of the trip included experiencing a new culture and trying different kinds of food.

The theatre Seminar in London was a nine day theatre tour that exposed students to a variety of theatrical performances as well as the history of the London theatre and the city in general. Twenty-three students traveled with two faculty members, Professors Jeff Herrman and Bob Taylor. The students attended eight shows in a variety of London locations, including The Globe Theatre, where Shakespeare's plays were performed in the 1600's. They also toured the city and visited different museums.  For many, visiting Stratford, where Shakespeare was born and laid to rest was a unique and favorite part of the trip.

BMC Photography

For 12 days, 14 students and biology professor Dr. Chris Stanton, explored the biology and sustainability of Costa Rica and the country-wide sustainability progress that has been made in 2015. The group traveled the country by bus and did a variety of activities such as hiking, boating and community service projects all while interacting with the locals, learning about the culture and seeing the various habitats and wildlife. One day was spent zip lining through the Tropical Dry Forest.

For more stunning photos from the trip, you can visit this Costa Rica Facebook gallery posted by recent BW studio art grad and owner of BMC Photography, Brittney Callahan '15.

Studying abroad at Baldwin Wallace allows students to enhance their personal growth, educational experience and career development. BW is part of the national "Generation Study Abroad" initiative and working toward doubling the percentage of students who gain this life-changing experience by 2019.

Student Leaders Join White House Climate Change Dialogue

Ashley King (left) and Tammy Blankenship attended The White House Youth Leadership Conference on Climate Change

When The White House convened a summit on climate change for select college student leaders on June 2, Baldwin Wallace student body president, Ashley King '16, and sustainability major, Tammy Blankenship '16, had a seat at the table. The pair plugged into the conversation as representatives to the White House Youth Leadership Conference organized by the National Campus Leadership Council (NCLC).

Student body presidents and sustainability advocates from colleges around the U.S. met to discuss campus sustainability including best practices and challenges ranging from funds, to education, to student behavior. Under the hashtag #ActOnClimate, conferees were invited to meet with an impressive list of key administration officials, including EPA administrator, Gina McCarthy, and senior White House advisor Brian Deese.

"The conference was great to learn about White House initiatives on climate change, while also learning about what other colleges are achieving and where BW stands in its accomplishments compared to these other institutions," Blankenship reports.  "Someone did the math and we found out that all of the universities present at this conference represented 1.2 million people in the U.S.--pretty astounding!"

“I enjoyed this experience because it allowed me to take part in a national conversation that impacts BW students and allows me to bring ideas back to our campus to make a difference,” said King, a Ravenna, Ohio native double majoring in health care management and human resource management.

Blankenship, who hails from Rocky River, Ohio, is on track to earn both the human and social science and science of BW's sustainability majors.

White House Senior Advisor Brian Deese (front and center) met student leaders at the White House Climate Youth Summit; look for BW's Ashley King and Tammy Blankenship in the middle of the pack

Mathematics Students on the Plus Side of the Competition

BW math competitors, L to R,   Christine Austen, Alan Jankowski, Matt Switlyk, Victoria Switlyk, and Hannah Sedely

A group of BW students represented the mathematics department as they traveled to Marshall University in West Virginia this spring to participate in the spring meeting of the Ohio Section of the Mathematical Association of America. Christine Austin '15, Hannah Sedely '16,  Matthew Switlyk '15 and Victoria Switlyk '15 all presented student research at the gathering.

Two teams of students also competed in the 12th Annual Leo Schneider Problem Solving Competition. Facing off against strong competition, both BW teams performed admirably with Matt Switlyk  and Alan Jankowski '17 coming in 7th, while Austin, Sedely and Victoria Switlyk finished 10th.

Earlier in the year, two BW students also earned positive scores on the annual William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Exam, a famously challenging mathematics competition for undergraduate students in North America with Brian McLaughlin '15 scoring in the top 25%, and Matt Switlyk in the upper half of the elite competitors.

Students and Faculty Elevate Science/Math Days at Cedar Point

The BW Cedar Point team, left to right, back row: David Revta and Dr. Ed Meyer, midde: Dr. Lisa Ponton and Alan Duncan, front: Brandon Dropic and Dr. Jim Emigh (not pictured: Dr. Peter Hoekje)

A group of Baldwin Wallace University students and faculty has transformed the learning materials used in one of the most anticipated spring field trips for Ohio middle and high school students: Physics, Science and Math Days at Cedar Point.

The week-long event (May 11-15 for 2015) turns “The Roller Coaster Capital of the World!®" into "the world’s biggest classroom" with special presentations, demonstrations and hands-on exhibits aimed at helping students to see how math and science apply to a wild ride on the Slingshot or the Wicked Twister, or the creation of cotton candy.

BW electronics technician David Revta spearheaded the BW effort to develop new middle and high school workbooks that include concepts, illustrations, and problems to solve—all based on the Cedar Point experience. “Our ultimate goal as education partner,” Revta says, “was to strengthen the ties to state science standards, and offer a progressive, tiered curriculum that will allow teachers to customize learning for their students.”

Brandon Dropic '15, a neuroscience/chemistry major from Seminole, Fla. got involved in this the project for the “unique experience of connecting other students to chemistry in a fun, non-traditional way.” He goes on to explain that “since chemistry questions had not previously existed, we were creating something brand new and exciting.”

While Cedar Point’s ties to the laws of physics are obvious, chemistry professor Dr. Lisa Ponton says finding chemistry connections sounded like a challenge. But, the inspiration came easily when the group visited the park to brainstorm. “We zeroed in on the steam combustion railroad, the kettle corn and cotton candy right away,” Ponton explains. “So we included problems like density comparison, moisture calculation, and the pressure involved in the corn exploding.”

In addition to Dropic, Ponton and Revta, the BW team included chemistry major Alan Duncan '15 from Valley City, Ohio, plus faculty members, James Emigh (education), Dr. Peter Hoekje (physics) and Dr. Edwin Meyer (physics).

BW also plans to send students and faculty to the park during science week to host a booth and answer questions, further helping Cedar Point to offer a one-of-a-kind learning experience, wrapped in pure fun.

Photo courtesy Cedar Point

Dark of the Moon Enchants Audiences

The BW Theatre and Dance Department has done it again. Directed by Scott Plate, Dark of the Moon, a story of love and the supernatural and set in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee both bewitched and haunted audiences.

Dark of the Moon is a chilling tale told with swing and spirit about John, a strange "witch boy," and a beautiful young woman named Barbra Allen. The folksy romance is brought to life as John is granted human form in order to woo and marry Barbra. Things take a turn for the worse when Barbra is lead to betray John, breaking the spell of their love and causing him to return to the world of the mountain witches forever.

The show ran from April 9-19 in the William Allman Theatre. Upcoming theatre events for the rest of the spring semester include the 10-Minute Play Festival on April 29 & 30, Dance Works in Progress on May 1 and Henry IV Part Two on May 29 & 30. All of these events are free and open to the public.

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!"