Economics Professor is Respected Resource for The Plain Dealer

In addition to her role as professor and chair of the Economics Department at BW, Veronica Kalich also contributes regularly to The Plain Dealer, serving as one of the newspaper's respected analysts on the Ohio workplace.

Most recently, Kalich has contributed to a series of articles focused primarily on the unemployment picture in Ohio, specifically stories that delve into the ups and downs of monthly jobs reports losses, the middle class, and the state's recovery from "the great recession."

Kalich has served as a valued source for Plain Dealer reporter, Olivera Perkins, who says she trusts Kalich's analyses "because she always cites the source of her data." Perkins has found that readers trust her as well, noting that, "Since Professor Kalich doesn’t take a political viewpoint, it is difficult for a reader to question her objectivity."

Perkins added, "Because she has a varied background, having worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, as well as in academia, Dr. Kalich is able to explain and add perspective and context to economic issues in ways that are accessible to most Plain Dealer readers."

BW Faculty and Students In the Center of the Political Process

The BW contingent that worked election night at WEWS-TV, left to right, Dr. Tom Sutton with students, Brianna Johnson, Austin Nagy, Nikita Martin, Aziz Ahmad, Simone Malone.

In the run-up to this week's election day, BW faculty and students were active in the political process as media commentators, survey analysts and election night tabulators. But with the 2016 presidential election on the horizon, and the Republican National Convention coming to Cleveland next July, they may just be getting warmed up.

BW political science professor Thomas Sutton, who regularly appears on WEWS TV as the Cleveland ABC affiliate's political analyst, was joined by a team of students on election night, who worked to tabulate results for the station. At BW, those students and others get to pick the brains of professors who are in the thick of analyzing politics and government for the media.

BW Pubic Opinion Poll and Questions About "What’s Next?"
Leading into the election, results from a BW Community Institute Research (CRI) poll, which included questions sampling Northeast Ohio public opinion on a marijuana legalization ballot issue, landed on the front page of The Plain Dealer, with insights from CRI associate director and political science professor, Dr. Lauren Copeland.

The poll was tested by students before it went into the field. Sutton, who is CRI's director, and Copeland also fielded poll questions from WEWS-TV 5, WOIO-TV 19/43 and WKSU/NPR Radio. After the issue was voted down, Sutton helped WEWS viewers understand what's next for Ohio's medical marijuana legalization movement.

Dr. Lauren Copeland (left) with the Fox 8 Morning News anchor team

Parsing Presidential Politics
Both BW professors have been called on to provide expert commentary on the ongoing presidential primary races, as well.

Sutton was tapped by both WEWS-TV and WAKR radio to dissect Ohio Governor's John Kasich's struggling campaign, while Copeland appeared live on WJW-TV's popular morning show to preview the first GOP debate showdown that took place in Cleveland, and later talked with WOIO-TV 19/43.

The pair also contributed to a series of Cleveland Jewish News pieces on the presidential race, one asking, "Was Democratic debate more liberal than usual?," another focusing on the politics of gun control, and another delving into the money already raised in the campaigns.

The Broader Election and Government Issues

Sutton also is a frequent guest on WAKR Radio's The Jasen Sokol Show where he has recently given listeners perspectives on issues like the new U.S. Speaker of the House

Dr. Barb Palmer surrounded by Running Start interns in Washington, D.C.

And a third BW political science professor, Dr Barb Palmer, continues her work on women in politics, raising awareness of the uphill climb for female candidates at conferences, through organizations like Running Start, and in the media such as this appearance on Vermont Public Radio.

Palmer recently spoke to a group of young women in Washington, D.C., who are participating in the Running Start Star Fellows Program which includes an internship with a female member of Congress.

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.

Alumna Reinvents Career, Creates Nonprofit for College Search

Nichelle McCall

Baldwin Wallace graduate and BOLD Guidance CEO, Nichelle McCall, has been featured in Inc Magazine as a "Woman Tech Founder to Watch," Crain's Cleveland 40 Under 40, and this fall, in a Plain Dealer article highlighting "career reinvention." But just 5 years she was wrestling with unemployment.

After a series of jobs following graduation, McCall took a fellowship in New York and Washington D.C. with the promise of a full-time post with a Cleveland nonprofit when she returned home. Instead, the organization went in a different direction at the end of her fellowship, and McCall found herself unemployed at age 27.

It was a turning point for McCall, who decided to become a consultant, rather than labeling herself unemployed. McCall noted to the Plain Dealer that, "What I learned is that a job is not secure. At any time someone can decide that they want to go in another direction or that your services are no longer needed. At least with entrepreneurship, even if something doesn't work out that I'm working on, I can always create something new."

She consulted with schools and nonprofits, forming college access programs. Within two years, she found herself making more money than ever before, and added a technology-based product in order to continue growing.

In 2012, McCall launched "Bold Guidance," a software company that not only makes the college admissions process easier and more accessible by walking parents and students step-by-step through the process, but also caters to colleges by supporting marketing strategies for enrollment.

Bold Guidance's CEO and President Nichelle McCall
-Photo Courtesy of The Plain Dealer

The Plain Dealer acknowledged the steep hill McCall climbed to make her business a success. "Women represent just 8 percent of venture-backed companies in the country, but for black women, the number shrinks dramatically to .2 percent. McCall has raised $500,000 in the last two years for her company, 'Bold Guidance.'"

In regards to her time working college admissions at Baldwin Wallace, McCall is quoted as saying, "that's when the seed was planted for wanting to make a difference for underprivileged students."

BW Grad Takes Fast Track to Financial Career

Ashley Lenzar '15 offers a lesson in the potential power of an internship to supercharge a career. Following her graduation earlier this year, Lenzar quickly landed a job as a financial services assistant at Glass Financial Advisors, the same company that mentored her in a summer internship.

In the finance profession, only one in 20 advisors is under the age of 30; so when Lenzar, 24, saw the opportunity to get in on the professional level at a young age she went for it. The story of her internship is featured in Financial Advisor magazine, as she sets out to make a name for herself in the world of finance.

Lenzar told Financial Advisor that she had the opportunity to tag along with her father to an Edward Jones advisory meeting around five years ago and was intrigued by the profession. Fast-forward to 2015, with a liberal arts education, a major in accounting and finance as well as a professional internship, she was the perfect fit for the job.

Theatre Grad Dives into Directing

Alumna Lindsey Augusta Mercer is quickly making a name for herself in the world of theatre after graduating in 2013 with a BA in theatre, music, and history, cum laude.

Photo credit: Mikki Schaffner Photography

For the past two years, Mercer has been living in the Greater Cincinnati area where her directorial life began to bloom, beginning with gigs at New Edgecliff Theatre and Diogenes Theatre Company. Mercer continued her streak of success at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, where she started as assistant to the artistic director in 2014. She staged CSC's touring production of A Midsummer Night's Dream for their Shakespeare in the Park program.

Photo credit: Queen City Queer
Theatre Collective website

In November of 2014, Mercer co-founded the Queen City Queer Theatre Collective with Linnea Jean Bond. Their mission, as described on the QCQTC website, is "to celebrate and share queer experiences while challenging theatre convention. We embrace “queer” as a verb, and a liberating way to work free of creative prejudice." Mercer regularly works as producing artistic director here, working on staged readings.

Her most recent endeavor is at the Falcon Theatre, where she will be directing two one acts known as "The Mystery Plays". The shows open November 6th. In an interview with Cincy Magazine, Mercer says, "It’s a great atmosphere for creating plays," with directors supporting her unique directorial choices.

She will also be playing the role of Amiens in CSC's production of "As You Like It", which runs November 20-December 12.

BW Psychology Grad Awarded Master's Assistantship

Ashely Smith '10

Recent BW graduate, Ashley Smith '15, is now working as a graduate assistant for the College of Public Health at Kent State University. While at BW, Smith combined studies in behavioral sciences and public health to essentially created a customized education in "Health Psychology," although her official major was psychology.

Smith (R) with BW professor Jen Perry on graduation day

Smith's exceptional grade point average of 3.988, combined with an impressive list of activities on and off campus during her undergraduate career, helped to land the assistantship as she pursue's a master's degree in public health with a concentration in social and behavioral sciences.

As a BW undergrad, the Berea native was especially active in BW's Psychology Department, serving as Psychology Student Research Coordinator, President of Psi Chi, Treasurer of the Psychology Club, and avid researcher.

Smith received BW's William Prokasy Award for her academic achievements and contributions to the field of psychology, and also was a White Rose Ceremony participant.

As she pursues her graduate degree, she is working on two separate grant funded projects. 

Healthcare MBA Graduate Leads Summa Cardiovascular Institute

Dr. Michael Hughes, MBA '12

Dr. Michael Hughes earned his health care MBA from BW in 2012. Earlier this year, he was named president of Summa Health System's Cardiovascular Institute.

Hughes, who specializes in international cardiology and cardiovascular disease, has held a number of leadership positions at Summa Health including medical director of the Cardiac Cath Lab and founding co-chairman of Northeast Ohio Cardiovascular Specialists. In addition, he also serves on the executive board of Summa's accountable care organization, New Health Collaborative and sits on the Summa Health Board of Directors.

Summa Health is one of the largest integrated healthcare delivery systems in Ohio and encompasses a network of hospitals, community health centers, a health plan, a physician-hospital organization, a multi-specialty physician organization, research and the Summa Foundation.

Hughes was honored with the American Heart Association’s Sauvageot Volunteer Service Award in 2012 and served on the AHA’s Board of Directors as its president. He also has been named a Cleveland Magazine Top Doctor in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

MBA Alumnus Named Hub Group's President and COO

Donald G. Maltby- Courtesy of Hub Group

After 25 years at Hub Group, one of the United States' largest transportation management corporations, Donald G. Maltby, a Baldwin Wallace MBA alumnus was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer this fall.

Maltby, who most recently served as a consultant to the Hub board, had worked his way up the ladder at the top 50 publicly traded company, holding numerous management positions, serving as Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Executive Vice President-Logistics Services, President of Hub Online and President of Hub Cleveland.

The Chicago area-based  Hub Group has more than 2,500 employees and $3.6 billion in annual revenue.

In a Hub Group press release, company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, David Yeager said, "I am very pleased that Don has chosen to take on the role of President and Chief Operating Officer. He is a hard worker and a strategic thinker with deep knowledge of the logistics industry as well as Hub's business and culture. I look forward to working with him to drive our company forward."

Prior to joining Hub, Maltby worked at Sherwin-Williams. He received his Masters in Business Administration from Baldwin Wallace in 1982.

Professor Infuses Music, NPR into Murder Mystery Novel

After nearly a decade of crafting a murder mystery novel, writing "on and off," BW adjunct history professor Robert Stinson is currently promoting the recently published book, Love and Death on Public Radio.

The book is "part murder mystery and part satire on Public Radio." In his description of the story, Stinson said, "My book takes classical music seriously as a theme for fiction without, however, requiring readers to bring a technical understanding to the story. In that sense it will appeal to anyone who listens to an NPR station, liked Amadeus, or reads novels like Ian McEwan’s Amsterdam (1999)."

Stinson's book is currently available as an ebook on Amazon. The story was inspired by and draws on his time as a classical broadcaster for an NPR station. Stinson began teaching part-time at BW following his retirement from Moravian College.

Stinson also has published three scholarly books; this is his first novel since 1987. 

BW Grad Featured on ABC-TV's "Scandal"

Seth Bellinger '10

Seth Bellinger '10, a Fairview, Ohio native who graduated from Baldwin Wallace with a Film/Broadcasting major and Psychology minor, was recently featured on ABC's season premiere of the hit drama series, Scandal.

Following graduation, Bellinger traveled to Los Angeles in pursuit of a career in film. After a few months in LA, he started getting offers for small parts in independent films, commercials and television shows.

Bellinger (left) on the Season 5 Premiere of Scandal on ABC-TV

He has acted in commercials for Spiklit and Golden Era Productions and also played the campus stalker on the television series, Dead of Night. Bellinger has also been featured in print advertising, including a appearance alongside CeeLo Green for a Fast Company Magazine ad.

A man of many talents, Bellinger, creates film, directs, acts and instructs tennis during his free time.

The Season 5 Premiere of Scandal aired on September 24 and is available on ABC.com.

Professor's Doo-Wop Duo Featured on Fox 8's Jukebox

Fox 8's Jukebox recently featured Babies in Black, a Cleveland local rockabilly duo comprised of Conservatory Professor Beth Hiser and Rachel Roberts.

Babies in Black performed five songs for Fox 8, which commended the duo on their "spot-on harmonies."

Hiser and Roberts have taken inspiration from early Beatles music, their namesake coming from the Beatles song Baby's in Black. Their Reverb Nation bio page says, "With Rachel on guitar and Beth on upright bass, they harmonize to every major pop hit between 1955-1965, from The Beatles to Lesley Gore to The Drifters. They play these songs to inspire original compositions, resembling the doo-wop and 60s pop era."

The duo is currently working on production of an album. They've played countless festivals across Ohio and opened for the premiere of the movie "Christine at the Crossroads."

Hiser also plays for Front Porch, a bluegrass band made up entirely of Baldwin Wallace professors who mostly teach subjects outside the Conservatory of Music.