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.

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.

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! 

Students “Leave it Behind” to Help People in Need

"Leave It Behind" co-chairs Ashley Porach ’17 (l) and Gwyn Dubel '18 (r)

As thousands of college students move out of residence halls each spring, they often toss usable items in the dumpster. At BW, students are encouraged to “Leave it Behind” to benefit the community. BW’s Office of Community Outreach (OCO) runs the annual “Leave it Behind” drive that combines sustainability with service.

“We hope to show students that used items are very important to others, and that helps us to appreciate all the things that we have,” said project co-chair Ashley Porach ’17, an industrial/organizational psychology major from Berea, Ohio. 

Donations of unopened non-perishable food items, gently used clothes, and other items collected in residence hall donation boxes will benefit Goodwill and Berea Welfare Assistance. The drive, which was featured in news stories on WKYC-TV Channel 3 and on cleveland.com/SUN News  usually fills half of a large box truck with donations.

Co-chair Gwyn Dubel ’18, a Greenville, Penn. native, said the effort provides “an accessible and easy way for students to give back to the local community.” The human resource management major, who served on OCO’s student leadership team this past year added, “It's small actions and simple donations to community partners that help make differences in people's lives.” 

BW Business Students Attend National Enactus Exposition

BW Enactus reps in St. Louis, L-R, Cooper Moretz, Tessa Louche, Gwyn Dubel, and Jasz Joseph

With a new network of established business professionals and business students from across the country, BW's chapter of Enactus is ready to apply what they have learned at this year's 2015 Enactus United States National Exposition. Hosted in St. Louis, students in BW's School of Business, Cooper Moretz '16, Tessa Louche '17, Jasz Joseph '18, and Gwyn Dubel '18, embarked to the conference ready to present the outcomes of their annual service projects to a team of business professionals. 

For their 2014-15 projects, BW Enactus provided marketing assistance to Medina Creative Coffee (MCC), a nonprofit subsidiary of Medina Creative Housing, and helped to educate students in the Berea-Midpark Schools' Junior Achievement Cleveland program on "financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness." After sharing a report on their activities with business professionals, the BW team received constructive feedback to improve their impact on the Cleveland community in the coming year.

Along with the conference, these students met with potential employers at a career fair and brainstormed ideas with students from over 180 other colleges and universities. They also had the opportunity to explore St. Louis in their free time. 

Advised by Professors Phillip Bessler and Maureen DeVito in the School of Business, Enactus "enables its members the opportunity to utilize their knowledge and experience of the business field to aid in the general advancement and health of the community." Through their studies in business and their involvement in Enactus, these BW students will continue to apply their business education for a better quality-of-life for others. 

Another Successful Year of Building Walls

Building the framework of an entire home in one day may seem impossible; but for the third year in a row, BW's Habitat for Humanity did just that.

On a chilly Saturday in early spring, the Bonds Parking Lot was transformed into a construction site. In partnership with Crossroads Mission, more than 80 BW students, faculty, staff and alumni braved the cold weather and spent the day building the interior and exterior walls of a home. The home will be donated to a Lorain County family whose previous living conditions were declared unsafe.

The goal of the BW chapter of Habitat for Humanity is to put an end to poverty housing through community education and involvement. Projects such as Building Walls seek to do just that.

Dr. Andy Dohonas, one of Habitat for Humanity's faculty advisors, looks forward to the Building Walls project every year. "I love seeing the tangible results of our community coming together to help others. In a matter of hours we have taken a pile of lumber and turned it into a home. It's very satisfying."

Students Build Hope and Community on Alternative Break Trips

"Women's Empowerment" in Miami, FL

Spring Break 2015 took BW students all over the country thanks to the Office of Community Outreach's Alternative Break program. Students spread across four Alternative Spring Break groups ventured to Biloxi, Miss.; Roanoke, Va.; Miami and Kissimmee, Fla. to serve causes and communities in need.

"Rebuilding Homes & Restoring Hope" in Biloxi, MS

The Alternative Break trip entitled "Women's Empowerment" took students to Miami, FL with Doanise Thompson 15' leading the way. The group gave time to local organizations Camillus House, Lotus House, Women's Fund of Miami, and the Women's Breast and Heart Initiative, also assisting with the "Power of the Purse" event through which they raised $400,000 for local women's organizations. Through their service, the students were able to "learn more about holistic issues that women face and the different ways that non profits are empowering women in the Miami communities," Thompson said.

"Surprise Mystery Trip" on McAfee's Knob in Raonoke, VA

Rebuilding Homes & Restoring Hope: Hurricane Recovery, led by Bridget Hughes 16', traveled all the way to Biloxi, Miss. to work alongside Community Collaborations International. Students worked on several environmental projects including shoreline, sea grass, and public land restoration; wild-life habitat improvement; and invasive species removal in areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina and other recent natural and human-caused disasters.

"Give Kids the World" in Kissimmee, FL

The "Surprise Mystery Trip" group took their service to a section of the Appalachian Trail in Roanoke, Va. where they assisted in maintaining the Catawba Mountain section of the trail--home to one of the most photographed vistas on the trail, McAfee's Knob. Led by Kristina DeGirolamo 16', the group also gave service to the local Habitat for Humanity Restore, Rescue Mission, and Feeding America facilities, working with community members to sort donations.

Lastly, students participating in "Give Kids the World," led by Michael Ricci 15', went to Kissimmee, Fla. to provide service at a storybook vacation for children diagnosed  with life-threatening illnesses and their families. In addition to their work with children and families at Give Kids the World, the students also volunteered with "Traveling Tutus," an organization that distributes dance attire to children all around the world in an effort to spread hope and empowerment to underprivileged youth.

In total, 41 students and 5 staff and faculty members participated in the four Alternative Spring Break trips this year.

BW Student Advocates for Habitat for Humanity in D.C.

Brittany Smith '16 says supporting Habitat for Humanity before Congress in Washington D.C. first sounded like an "intimidating" task. However, when she did just that at the recent Habitat on the Hill conference sponsored by the non-profit organization, Smith says, "I just spoke from the heart [and] shared why I am so passionate about Habitat’s mission, which allowed me to advocate effectively and get our message across."

As the President of BW's Habitat for Humanity chapter, Smith represented BW at the conference after winning a scholarship to attend. The pre-physical therapy and exercise science major from Buffalo, New York says, "There are currently three pieces of legislation which are up for a budget vote this year in Congress, so the first two days of the conference focused on educating all of the conference participants on how the passage of these bills will greatly benefit Habitat for Humanity."

Smith also learned about public health issues that relate to housing... issues she did not even consider before attending the conference. Such as, how it is easier for people to access a cell phone than a working toilet. Smith says, "This really struck me to think of all the people out there who do not have clean water and a toilet in their homes, because it is something that I have always taken for granted."

Smith says she would love to attend the conference next year, "because it was extremely beneficial to me, and I hope to bring more BW representatives with me."

Back here in Berea, the campus Habitat Chapter will lead the BW community in the annual "Building Walls" event on March 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Bonds Parking Lot. In a single day, volunteers will construct the entire frame for a Habitat house that is then trucked to a Northeast Ohio homesite to be completed for a deserving family.

BW Circle K Wins Best Club in Ohio at State Convention

Gwyn Dubel, Lyndsey Marshall, Leslie Sheawalter, Maria Curcio, Maureen Giardina, Xaiver Seavers, Pat Hoang 

Another impressive year of honors and awards for BW’s Circle K International Service Club at the 58th annual Ohio District Circle K Convention. For the fourth consecutive year, BW received The Daniel J. Romanello Achievement Award, presented to the best Circle K club in the state! Club members were recognized with individual awards in nearly every other category.

Individual awards included: 1st Place Outstanding President to Maureen Giardina; 2nd Place for Outstanding Vice President to Sam Trapp; 2nd Place for Outstanding Secretary to Elizabeth Scozarro; 1st Place Outstanding Treasurer to Lyndsey Marshall; P.A.C.E. Setter Award to Molly Martin; 2nd Place for Outstanding Club Committee Chairperson to Jessie Feldman; 2nd Place for Outstanding Member to Shannon Fee; 1st Place Outstanding New Member to Anna Popa; and 2nd Place Award for Leadership to Leslie Sheawalter.

In addition, BW Circle K received the award for Most Improved Club and the Membership Award for attracting 20 new members since the 2013-2014 school year. Berea Kiwanis was awarded Outstanding Kiwanis Sponsors for their dedication and devotion to the BW organization. BW's thriving Circle K group is also mentored by two active advisors, BW biology professor Dr. Karen Munroe and director of student life Robin Gagnow.

OCO Members Venture to LA for the IMPACT Conference

Nuha Alshabani '15 and Keynoter Wendy Spencer

Service leaders from colleges and universities across the country recently gathered on the west coast and BW was well represented. BW's Office of Community Outreach (OCO) sent graduate intern, Katy Johnson '14, and student leaders, Bryan Powell '16, Nuha Alshabani '15, Kara Carpenter '17 and Vanessa Adu-Gyamfi '17 to the recent IMPACT Conference in Los Angeles. Alshabani '15 also was selected to participate in the conference planning committee.

The IMPACT Conference held at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), is the largest annual conference focused on the civic engagement of college students in community service, service-based research and advocacy. The focus of the conference aligns with BW OCO’s mission to empower students to become contributing, compassionate citizens.


Julie Bishop, assistant director of BW OCO describes the conference as, "a great way for BW students to connect and share ideas with students from campuses across the country doing similar service work."

BW students at the IMPACT conference in LA

Students heard inspiring keynote addresses from Wendy Spencer, the CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service and Robert Egger, the President of the LA Kitchen founder of the Campus Kitchen Project, and attended seminars to discuss cultural awareness, societal privilege and methods to leverage the concepts learned from service in career building.

The students were also able to explore southwest LA and visit the beach. "It was super cool to see all the different 'stars' supporting various initiatives and bringing awareness to these issues," said Powell.

Students are expected to present their experiences and ideas at a team meeting later this year.

Her Haven for Humanity

When Sarah Cunningham ’16, turned 21 while en route to Uganda, she celebrated the milestone quietly. Her gift upon landing was a brilliant sunrise that beckoned her to a land sparse with economic surplus but rich with hope.

“My grandparents are missionaries there who started their own organization to aid children,” she said. “In December, I spent three weeks with them in Uganda doing research that will be used as part of my honors thesis at BW. As a public health major, I was living my dream…to work with women and children in developing nations.

“I visited the slums and conducted interviews with young women,” she continued. “They have suffered illness, pain, surgery, poverty and unfaithful husbands. Their lives were tenuous in many ways and filled with episodes of pain. Yet, they still smiled and carried on.

“When AIDS wiped out a generation of parents, girls grew up without mothers. Conversations about maturation, pregnancy and sex were not discussed in-depth," she noted.

An aspiring OB/GYN physician, Cunningham sees her trip to Uganda as one that united her passion for women and children’s issues with her career goal and heart for humanitarian service.

“I am so grateful for this opportunity,” she said. “The Baldwin Wallace Honors Program helped fund my trip and has done a great job encouraging me to achieve my goals. So, too, have the professors in public health, my church and family.

“I am also indebted to the people of Uganda. The images I saw and the stories I heard impacted me in many ways,” she acknowledged.

Upon leaving, she took with her research data and cherished memories of her grandparents. But also resounding within her heart were images and words blurred within the confines of pain and uncertainty that cut through the slums of Uganda with barbs of poverty, disease and abandonment.

But also with hope, courage and determination.

BW Professor Emeritus, Alumnus Earns Hospital Service Award

Through dedication and hard work, BW professor emeritus and alumnus Robert Ebert '65 recently earned Fairview Hospital's Community Service Award.

Following in the footsteps of his parents, who were involved with the fundraising campaign for the hospital, Ebert devoted his time and energy to the improvement of health care since he was asked to serve on the board of Fairview Enterprises in the 1980s, going to serve in various capacities including the Fairview Hospital Board of Trustees and the Community West Foundation.

"I am committed to excellence in health care," says Ebert, "as I believe it is vital to the well-being of the community."

The 1965 BW graduate completed a doctorate in economics at Case Western Reserve University and went on to teach the subject at BW for many years, earning many teaching and faculty awards. Ebert became a professor emeritus in 2010.

BW V.E.T.S Collect Donations for Troop Care Packages

Members of BW V.E.T.S. with donated supplies

Members of the BW V.E.T. S. organization (Veterans Engaged Through Service), a group that focuses on enhancing the lives of military veterans attending BW through engagement in volunteer opportunities, recently collected donations for troop care packages. Donation boxes were distributed around campus for the collection of baby wipes, foot powder, sunscreen, bug spray, cough drops, gum, candy, disposable razors, white tube socks, travel-size deodorant, and movies.

The Ladies Auxiliary of the Post 91 American Legion at Coe Lake was also involved in the operation, shipping the donated items to U.S troops stationed in Iraq, Germany, and the Veterans in Wade Park, Va.

BW Advancement Officer Earns AFP Fundraising Executive Award

Tim McCormick, Debbie Miller (center) and Julie Johnson at the AFP Awards Ceremony

Deborah S. Miller, Senior Advancement Officer at Baldwin Wallace University, earned the Outstanding Fundraising Executive Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Greater Cleveland on National Philanthropy Day, an event dedicated to recognizing the contributions of philanthropy, as well as others within the giving community, whose altruism continues to better the world and the lives of others.

Miller has been in the development field for over 20 years. From major planned giving to board development, Miller has spearheaded and participated in many a philanthropy activities dedicated to the betterment of the community. Both "Cleveland Magazine" and "Inside Business" also recognized Miller and the other AFP award recipients for their good work.

Speak Out - Pi Lambda Phi and HASA Support Inclusiveness

Based on BW's rich tradition of inclusiveness and equality, Pi Lambda Phi and the Hispanic-American Student Association (HASA) hosted "Speaking Out Against Prejudice" this semester. The event allowed students and faculty to share poems, songs, dances, and monologues themed around prejudice and equality.

From a cover of John Lennon's "Imagine" to a discussion on themes of race and gender in En Vogue's music video, "Free Your Mind," the event displayed a spectrum of talents that offered different perspectives to the BW student body.

In addition to the Open Mic, the event also raised money for Pi Lambda Phi's philanthropy organization, the Elimination of Prejudice Foundation.

Alpha Gamma Delta Crowns New Mr. BW at Philanthropy Event

Opportunities for generosity abound at BW as students find fun avenues for philanthropy. In support of Diabetes Awareness Month in November, the women of Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Iota Chapter, hosted their annual Mr. BW Pageant to raise money for Diabetes Education and Awareness through the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation.

Designed as a spoof pageant for men, participants performed different acts such as dressing up as Captain America. Alpha Gamma Delta chose Nick Traverso '16 as this year's Mr. BW after he sang a tribute to the women in the chapter on the piano.

By raising over $1000 from the event, the women of Alpha Gamma Delta will continue to contribute to the awareness of a health condition that affects close to 30 million people in the U.S.

Honors Students Mentor Middle Schoolers at Science Center

Baldwin Wallace University's Honors Program encourages participation in annual service opportunities in order to help students develop lasting relationships and give back to the community.

Recently, a group of BW Honors students volunteered at the Great Science Academy workshop hosted by the Great Lakes Science Center.  Students worked on a theoretical project, meaning that the purpose of their experimental work was unknown until the end.

The BW students report that they had a great time working with younger students to engage them in challenging but enjoyable activities.

Fraternities Team Up to Support Big Brothers Big Sisters

Two fraternities at BW teamed up once again for the purpose of the philanthropy at this year's Second Annual Big-Little Games. Hosted by Sigma Phi Epsilon and Alpha Sigma Phi, the Big-Little Games raised money for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS).

Styled after family picnic games, which included a two-legged race and a game of musical chairs, each round challenged participants to compete for one of the top three trophies. Participants were paired up as either best friends, Fraternity/Sorority big and little, or siblings. In the end, Chad Woolsteen '18 and Sam Trapp '17 won the competition.

Together, both fraternities raised more than $400 for BBBS, a non-profit organization that seeks to provide mentors to young children nationwide.

BW Computer Science Professor Fights Ebola in Liberia

Randy and Marcy Molmen

Randy Molmen, a professor in BW's Computer Science Department, his wife, Marcy, and his adopted son, Roosevelt Dolo, are working to stem the Ebola virus outbreak in Liberia. Their work was the focus of a an article in the Sun News and on Cleveland.com.

Roosevelt Dolo

Molmen and his family have had a personal connection to Liberia since their ten month long mission trip to the country in 2006-07. While in Liberia, Molmen and his wife taught at Cuttington University, where they met and adopted Dolo, a nursing student at the time. Fast forward and Dolo is now leading a movement in Liberia that provides families with health information about the Ebola virus to help eliminate common myths and misconceptions.


The Community Action Against Ebola team was created to educate the public and spread awareness. In addition to the information campaign, the Molmens are collecting donations to support Dolo and his team as they provide food to Ebola victims and basic necessities for survivors whose possessions have been burned following their diagnoses.

Donations can be made to the St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Berea. Funds are sent to Liberia weekly. 

Psychology and Public Health Majors Serve in Ghana

For many students, summer includes bonfires at the beach, road trips with friends, and naps by the pool. Two Baldwin Wallace students, Nuha Alshabani ’15 (pictured above) and Mary McHale ’16, spent part of their summer serving in the Cape Coast of Ghana on issues related to public health and education. Both have plans to return to the African nation.

As part of their ProWorld-Intrax internships, Nuha and Mary assisted Cape Coast teachers in classrooms for students with disabilities. The pair also interned in a department for social welfare focusing on health promotion for such issues as HIV/AIDS awareness, personal hygiene, and basic first aid.

While living in Ghana, Nuha and Mary faced the challenges that come with cultural immersion. Both students noted that their liberal arts education at BW helped prepare them. Nuha said, “I realized how important a liberal arts education is and how it can prepare you for practical issues. I felt like I had knowledge in many different areas that I could draw on to help me in my internship and interactions in the community.”

Mary found the experience to be a confidence booster. “I think I have become a friendlier person. In Africa, everyone says hello to each other, and since I have left, I’ve definitely picked that up and do it in the States.”

As a Public Health major, Mary’s experience also supported her career development. She aspires to attend graduate school for public health and an accelerated nursing program after earning her undergraduate degree, and would like to serve in the Peace Corps. After graduation, Nuha hopes to apply her degree in Psychology towards becoming a child and family counselor.

This December, Mary and Nuha will return to Ghana to continue their internships during winter break.