Yellow Jackets at Home
February 23, 2026
"Think globally, act locally." — Patrick Geddes
Good morning BW,
When we talk about the impact of a Baldwin Wallace education, we often point to alumni who move across the country and the world, leading in their professions and communities. And that is certainly part of our story.
But you don't need a bigger world to make a difference —just a deeper commitment to the one around you. Many of our graduates choose to stay in Northeast Ohio and some stay in Berea, the home city of our university. They start businesses, lead organizations, serve in public office, and help create the vibrant, welcoming community that surrounds our campus.
Berea Mayor Cyril Kleem '96 is serving his fifth consecutive four-year term as Mayor. He is well-known throughout Cuyahoga County for his leadership in community and economic development. Mayor Kleem and the members of Berea City Council and Berea Board of Education work every day to strengthen the community that so many of our students and alumni call home. We deeply value the partnership between Mayor Kleem, the City of Berea, its citizens, and BW.
State Representative Mike Dovilla '97 serves as Vice Chairman of the Finance Committee in the Ohio House of Representatives. He is a major legislative leader in Ohio and is well-known for being both principled and pragmatic. He is also a commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Representative Dovilla grew up and still resides in Berea, where he became the first member of his family to graduate from college.
David Jenkins '97, President of the Haslam Sport Group, works just one minute from the BW campus in Berea at the Cross Country Mortgage campus headquarters of the Cleveland Browns. He leads the organization's daily business operations in Northeast Ohio, Central Ohio, Milwaukee and beyond. He is also leading the Browns' future stadium planning process and overseeing the CrossCountry Mortgage Campus expansion project, a mixed-use development adjacent to the Browns' practice facility. We're very fortunate that he serves on the Baldwin Wallace University Board of Trustees. He and his wife Ada '95 live in Strongsville with their two sons.
Rachel Kovach '10 is bringing sustainable shopping to the Berea community with the opening of Mindful Mercantile, an eco-friendly retail shop located in the Berea Business Incubator. Her business allows customers to refill home and bath essentials using their own containers, reducing single-use plastic waste, and offers plant-based, low- and no-tox products, and reusable household goods. Rachel credits her education at Baldwin Wallace with shaping her work as an entrepreneur.
Noah Mowery '25 has already prevented thousands of pieces of clothing from ending up in landfills through his online store, The Thrifting Tree. What began as a middle school project has grown into a thriving business focused on sustainability and responsible consumption — values that reflect both innovation and stewardship.
Celeste Stuber '18, a Baldwin Wallace alumna, now serves as President of the Berea Arts Fest, one of the city's signature cultural events. Her connection to the festival began as a BW student, when she first joined as an intern. Today, she has come full circle — leading the organization and helping strengthen Berea's vibrant arts community.
Just down the road in Olmsted Falls, Bob Kelley '92, a BW alumnus, leads RYCO Sports, a family-owned sporting goods and custom apparel business that has become a trusted local institution. Through businesses like his, BW alumni support youth sports, local schools and community pride.
These are just a few examples among hundreds of alumni who have chosen to stay in the region — especially here in Berea — and make a difference. I'll highlight others in future Monday Morning Messages.
Whether our alumni travel across the globe or stay right here at home, they carry the Yellow Jacket spirit with them. They are living proof that a BW education not only prepares students for successful careers — it also prepares them to build strong communities.
With gratitude,
Lee Fisher
President, Baldwin Wallace University