The Yellow Jacket for Life Spirit
February 16, 2026
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." — Winston Churchill
Good morning BW,
One of the greatest strengths of Baldwin Wallace is not just what happens on our campus, but what happens long after our students graduate. Every day, across the region, the nation, and the world, BW alumni are living out what it means to be a Yellow Jacket for Life (YJ4L).
They give back in meaningful ways — supporting scholarships, mentoring students, opening doors to internships, and sharing the wisdom of their professional journeys. They stay connected, not out of obligation, but because they believe in what BW made possible for them and want to make that same opportunity possible for others.
It is one of the great honors of this role to travel across the country and meet our alumni where they live and work. This past week, I had the privilege of spending time with BW alumni throughout Florida. In every conversation, I was reminded that the support for — and the belief in — Baldwin Wallace remains strong. Our alumni speak with pride about their BW experience, and they are eager to help the next generation of students succeed.
I want to thank all the alumni and friends of BW who took time from their busy schedules to meet with me last week in Florida.
Special thanks to Jack Belcher ('55) for hosting an event in Naples at Grey Oaks Country Club, and Gerald ('91) and Erin Hwasta for hosting an event at their beautiful home in Boca Raton. The two events attracted over 100 enthusiastic alumni and friends of BW.
Jack Belcher is a distinguished 1955 graduate of BW who is known for his humble generosity to many worthy causes including helping those less fortunate. Jack's devotion to BW's future is inspiring.
Gerald Hwasta is a distinguished 1991 summa cum laude graduate of BW where he was a football team letterman and majored in computer information systems. Today he is the Chairman & CEO of 24/7 Software. Gerald is a passionate BW alum who goes out of his way to recruit students to BW. That's why I call him BW's honorary Vice President for Enrollment for Florida!
At age 18, he developed his own mission statement that has guided his successful life and career – "Discover, Define, Develop, and Distinguish."
Gerald's mission is BW's mission. Our mission is to help our students discover their voice, define their purpose, develop their strengths, and distinguish themselves in their lives and careers.
Gerald's "4Ds" are our "4BWs."
BW: Be Who You Are.
BW: Get Better at Who You Are.
BW: Get Better at What You Do.
BW: Chart a Better Way for your Future.
Our alumni, like Jack Belcher and Gerald Hwasta, represent Baldwin Wallace with distinction and devotion. They lead with integrity, serve with compassion, and contribute in ways that make a difference. They embody the idea of a life well lived — not just personal success, but success measured by impact, service, and purpose.
This is the Yellow Jacket spirit:
A belief that your BW experience doesn't end at graduation.
A commitment to lift others as you climb.
A promise to carry forward what you learned at BW: leadership, service, career readiness, and a path forward that embraces the future.
To our alumni: thank you for the example you set, the support you provide, and the pride you bring to Baldwin Wallace.
And to our students: you are part of something that lasts a lifetime. You are becoming the next generation of Yellow Jackets for Life.
With gratitude and pride,
Lee Fisher
President, Baldwin Wallace University