Alpha Phi Takes Philanthropy to Heart

Several BW student leaders were "arrested" by the sisters of Alpha Phi for their "Cardiac Arrest" philanthropy event. Friends of those "locked up" could "bail out" their friends by donating to The Alpha Phi Foundation, which benefits women's heart health and scholarships to Alpha Phi sisters nationwide.

"This event is important to us," Lauren Schneider '16, Vice President of Marketing for Alpha Phi, said, "because it allows us to create awareness about a serious health issue and donate money to a cause that is so important to our chapter."

Attendees could also "pie" a sister for a donation, and there was pizza and cornhole just for fun.

"My favorite part of Cardiac Arrest is getting other fraternities, sororities, and sports teams involved," Schneider said. "It is always awesome to see so many other organizations on campus come together to help up support the philanthropy that means so much to us."

The event made over $900 to support The Alpha Phi Foundation. 

Students Raise Awareness About Suicide Prevention

TWLOHA-BW's "Black Flag Campaign"

With a year-round goal of fighting the stigma surrounding mental illness, student leaders of BW's Chapter of To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA) used this month's National Suicide Prevention Week to heighten awareness at BW. The group staged an entire week of events inspired by the words that closed out last year's suicide prevention campaign, "No One Else Can Play Your Part."

Events at BW included a Candle Light Vigil,  a discussion of the symptoms of depression and suicide, coping methods and treatment options featuring counselors from BW Health Center, and an attention-getting "Black Flag Campaign," jointly staged with BW ALLIES. Five-hundred black and rainbow flags were dispersed around campus, each representing two of the college students who lose their lives to suicide each year, with many students expressing surprise at the number.

BW's TWLOHA Chapter President, Rachel Wilken '16, says that kind of awareness raising is exactly why she got involved with the group, "I want to be a part of something bigger than myself and have a lasting impact on how BW students view mental health issues."

TWLOHA also collaborated with BW's Music Therapy majors to stage the culminating event of the week, "Hope N' Mic Night," which invited students to discuss topics that aren't often talked about, such as mental illness and suicide. The SAC was at its capacity for a variety of performances including poetry, vocals and instrumentals, and $150 was raised for treatment.

BW's TWLOHA chapter was founded in 2012 and meets weekly to discuss how to raise awareness to mental health issues on campus. "I can honestly say that I have left every TWLOHA meeting in a better mood than I came in with," says Chris Horvath '17.

Music Therapy major and TWLOHA member, Jill Iurlano '17,  performing during Hope N' Mic Night

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."

BW Blackstone LaunchPad Contest Attracts Big Ideas

BW’s engines of creativity were running in overdrive this spring during StartSomethingBW, the recently completed, second annual Blackstone LaunchPad (BLP) idea contest. This year’s competition attracted 163 entries, a fifty-plus percentage increase over last year. Nine teams received a total of $1,800 in prizes in three categories.

Notable winning ideas in this year’s contest included David and Raquel Milligan’s “Shower Helper” for recuperating patients, in the Business Idea category; Basem Magd’s “Summer Tote Storage,” in the Baldwin Wallace category; and Kimberly Smith-Gerace’s “RFID Officer Safety” system, in the Social Enterprise category. A full list of winners can be found on the Start Something BW webpage.

As conceived by BW’s Blackstone LaunchPad entrepreneurship program, the annual idea contest has three primary goals: increase campus awareness of BLP; spur ideation and creativity throughout the university; and jumpstart the formation of companies and jobs by inspiring students to identify problems -- and devise solutions.

For many BW students, the idea contest is just the first step in the entrepreneurial process, followed by regular meetings with BLP consultants who provide students with the tools and strategies they need to succeed.

“Blackstone LaunchPad is a tremendous resource for aspiring entrepreneurs,” according to Mike Nock, BLP Director at Baldwin Wallace. “As part of the region’s fertile entrepreneurial ecosystem, BLP consultants can advise students and connect them with a variety of services and mentors as they move along the path to business creation. There are few programs like Blackstone LaunchPad, and few regions for startup support like Northeast Ohio.”

In its third year at BW, Blackstone LaunchPad is co-funded by The Burton D. Morgan Foundation in Hudson, and by the Blackstone Charitable Foundation in New York. The 15-school Blackstone LaunchPad national network is modeled after The Launch Pad, which was created at the University of Miami in 2008.

Adult & Continuing Education Grad Pursues Aviation Career

Adult and Continuing Education grad, Allan Borling '14, recently landed a position with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Borling '14 graduated Magna Cum Laude last Spring with an Organizational Leadership major and a minor in Human Resources and now serves as the Technical Operations Manager for the FAA in Pittsburgh.

The job involves overseeing airports in Pennsylvania and West Virginia as well as the infrastructure management and enforcing the integration and implementation of procedures as outlined by the National Airspace System (NAS).

Prior to attending BW, Borling earned his Associate of Science Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Lorain Community College. Borling has had prior experience in operations management as he served as Operations Support Manager for the Cleveland District and as the Support Center Manager for the Cleveland RADAR Systems.

BW's Annual April Reign Weekend a Success

Brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon holding April Reign trophy

Photo Credit: Sigma Phi Epsilon Ohio Zeta Chapter

Students from all over the Baldwin Wallace campus came together to celebrate and compete in the annual April Reign games and events the weekend of April 10-11.

In addition to the traditional men's and women's brackets normally featured in the competitive component of the weekend's events, a newly-added coed bracket featured a number of student organizations including BW Veterans, Theatre Arts and Performance (TAP), Commuter Activity Board (CAB), Sophomore Year Experience, WBWC (the Radio Station), and the Middle Eastern Culture Club.

As another first for the annual festivities, a tricycle relay was added to the line up of the classic April Reign games including obstacle course, pyramid, and tug of war. Teams competed in their respective brackets for the top spot in each event, earning points to advance their team in the standings and determine an overall winner in each division.

Coming out on top this year overall for the men's, women's and coed brackets were Sigma Phi Epsilon, Alpha Phi and TAP, respectively.

Beyond the team competitions, the annual April Reign concert, hosted by Campus Entertainment Productions (CEP) in Ursprung Gymnasium, featured DJ Bobby Booshay, Air Doobai, and headliner Asher Roth.

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.

Student Government Explores Careers at the State Capital

BW Student Government at the Ohio Statehouse

Shortly after celebrating the Inauguration of the newly-elected Executive Branch, BW Student Government hit the road headed to Columbus for Independent College Day, sponsored by the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio (AICUO).

The event, held at the Ohio Statehouse featured a panel discussion about government and policy careers, which included Ohio Legislative Service Commission (LSC) Legislative Fellows, Legislative Aides, and even two State Senators. Students were able to ask questions about these possible future careers and apply the advice to their current college studies.

Afterwards, the group had the opportunity to meet with Senator Tom Patton of Ohio Senate District 24 to discuss his career and ideas for his district. In addition, Representative Mike Dovilla '94 of Ohio House District 7, a BW grad and adjunct Political Science professor at BW, hosted Student Government at an afternoon session. At the end of the day, students left Columbus with an experience that enhanced their personal career development.

BW Student Government with Representative Mike Dovilla

Senior Art Student Among Nominees for Ohio EVA Award

BW Senior Studio Art major Brittney Marie Callahan '15 is one of just 27 nominees for the Award for Excellence in the Visual Arts (EVAs), an intercollegiate arts competition recognizing outstanding student artists from across the state of Ohio.

Callahan, an accomplished artist on road to a May graduation, was nominated for the award by BW faculty. You can view her exceptional portfolio on the EVA website, and also vote for Brittney for the People's Choice Award; (click her photo in the top row, right end.)

The winner will be announced at the art awards reception on April 8, 2015, at the Columbus College of Art & Design. The EVAs are sponsored by the Associate of Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio (AICUO). 

Student Body Voices Heard in Election of New President, VP

For many students BW's February Election Day is just another day filled with classes, commutes in the cold, and many cups of coffee or hot chocolate. However, for the representatives of BW's Student Government, this day was focused on engaging students to make sure their voices would be heard in the Student Body Elections.

This semester's election had students voting on three different ballots: Student Senator Election, Student Body President and Vice President Election, and the Ratification of the Student Body Constitution.

Ashley King '16 and Tom Jackson '16

Students elected Ashley King '16 and Tom Jackson '16 as Student Body President and Vice President.

King, a human resources management and marketing major from Ravenna, Ohio, says "Through my experiences in many different departments on campus, I have been able to see the passion and drive that not only the student have, but the faculty and staff as well. I think that this new role will provide both challenges and successes and I could not be more excited to be working with Tom to grow the campus."

Jackson, a marketing and international business major from Hermitage, Penns is looking forward to advocating for students his new executive branch role. "BW has really become my home and I couldn't be more honored to serve the community in this capacity," he says.

Along with the election of a new president and veep, students voted to ratify the following changes to the Student Body Constitution:

96th Session of Student Government

"Each Senator shall now represent 65 to 95 students rather than 85 (exact number to be determined by the senate in the fall of each academic year).

Any student wishing to become a Senator must make and maintain a 2.7 cumulative GPA.

Any Student Senator wishing to run for Student Senate President must have served in two full sessions prior, with at least one of the two having been served in the year preceding the selection.

Any student wishing to become a Supreme Court Justice must make and maintain a 2.7 cumulative GPA."

With a set of newly-elected Senators and a new Student Body Executive Branch, Student Government looks towards another exciting semester in working to improve BW's campus.

Business Plan Helps Grad Manage a Business of his Own

After graduation, Strongsville native Keith Pech '14 relocated to sunny Boquete, Panama to manage a family coffee business, Damarli Agricultural Inc. Pech has been working to move the company forward and credits his entrepreneurial success to a business plan formulated while he was a student at BW. 

As a former International Business and Sustainability major, Pech commends his professors for teaching him how to operate in an international environment and to create products for international sales. While at BW, Pech developed a business plan outlining tour designs, business pursuits and plans for improving the sustainability of Damarli Agricultural Inc. He says it's been rewarding to put that plan into action.

Pech's plan include goals to create a completely organic farm and, eventually, to have his coffee available in the United States.

As an undergrad, Pech founded BW's Coffee Club and Table Tennis Club and the first representative of BW to make the College Table Tennis National Championship.

BW's Greek Council Gathers New Ideas at Conference

Greek Council at the AFLV Awards Banquet

Despite the snowy weather in the Midwest, members of BW's Greek Council (including yours truly) recently made the trek to Indianapolis to attend the Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values (AFLV) Central Conference. As an annual tradition for the recently elected Greek Council, this conference connected our Greek Council leadership team to a network of more than 2,000 Fraternity & Sorority Life professionals and students.

The Greek Council delegates attended workshops on topics such as battling negative stereotypes, and improving community service efforts. They also found time for some fun, cheering on their favorite teams at the Stroll Competition. Strolling, a form of line movement, is traditionally done by chapters in the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC).

After a phenomenal weekend, BW's Greek Council members returned campus with the knowledge, ambition and confidence to make this a successful year for BW's Fraternity & Sorority Life community.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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

National Fraternity Recognizes Outstanding BW Senior

National fraternity, Phi Kappa Tau, recognized Steve Vaccaro ’15 as a “leader of tomorrow” for his outstanding work in the Alpha Omega chapter of the fraternity here at BW.

Vaccaro, a senior arts management major, currently serves as chapter president. He is a past recruitment chairman for the chapter and program intern for Executive Offices. Vaccaro has also attended the Leaders Regional Conference, Leadership Academy, Presidents Academy, Conclave and National Convention, and helped Alpha Omega win the Roland Maxwell Trophy, an award presented to the outstanding chapter in the nation.

Vaccaro is also a dedicated volunteer and advocate for the SeriousFun Children’s Network, a global network of camps and programs that serves children with serious illness.

In addition to extensive service as a member of Phi Kappa Tau, Vaccaro is co-director of Dating Beyond Control, a program that creates awareness for dating violence at BW.

As for his plans after graduation, Vaccaro says, "I hope to work in a nonprofit setting where I am able to become passionate about whatever I do."

BW SigEp "Big Brother" Featured on Magazine Cover

Rising BW junior Nick Traverso '16 is featured in a cover story for the spring 2014 issue of SigEp Magazine."How SigEps are Defining Philanthropy and the World Around Them" explores the transformation Traverso experienced through involvement in Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), the national service and philanthropic partner for his fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Traverso was among a group of BW students who mentored a group of school-aged children who visited BW's Berea campus on a weekly basis starting in the Fall. Traverso told the magazine that the experience "changed the way I look at a lot of things. Being a big brother makes you think about every little thing that you do because you want your little brother to see you making the right decisions."