The BW Experience - In Their Own Words
March 23, 2026
"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." — William Butler Yeats
Good Morning BW,
I had the pleasure this past week of moderating a panel conversation at the City Club of Cleveland with three of our BW students — Leah Kania '26, Aniya Qualls '26, and Mike Kane '26, and a recent BW alum — Matt Perry '24.
You can watch the full conversation here:
President Fisher Conversation with BW Students at City Club of Cleveland
We explored what makes the Baldwin Wallace experience so meaningful — and how it prepares our students to be Leader-Ready, Career-Ready, and Future-Ready. We don’t fill minds — we open them and light fires of curiosity and exploration.
Hearing directly from our students and graduates is a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of a BW education. Leah, Aniya, Mike, and Matt spoke with honesty and conviction about how the strength of the BW experience is made possible through the support of our community — and why that support continues to matter.
Their own words say it best:
On choosing BW and the impact of scholarships
"When you're choosing a college, you want to see where the money is going... You can see how much is being poured into the students at BW. I benefited from experiential learning trips and experiences because of scholarships and how much BW pours into in the experience." — Mike Kane '26
On how BW creates a sense of community
"One of my favorite activities is PRISM, a completely student-led music group... I’m an English major, next to me is a speech pathology major, next to them is a music theater major — and we come together to perform. We’re not looking for you to be perfect, but to be yourself." — Aniya Qualls '26
On what makes BW transformative
"BW lays the building blocks for success... not just for a career, but for connections and lifelong friendships. First-year Leah would have been too scared to be up here talking. BW gives you the wings to fly — and I am so grateful." — Leah Kania '26
On opportunities beyond the classroom
"Without a BW education, where I am today would not have happened. I got involved in student government, which led to hospitality, which led to an internship at Destination Cleveland — and ultimately my career." — Matt Perry '24
These are the outcomes we strive for every day. These are stories made possible by a community that believes in our students and invests in their success.
The panel discussion was part of last week's successful BW Gives campaign, a powerful reflection of the momentum surrounding BW. To everyone who contributed — whether you give regularly, made a first-time gift, or supported in other ways — thank you. If you were not able to participate, it's never too late to support our students. You can click here to make your contribution today.
Thank you for being part of our BW community — and for all you do to make BW such a special place.
With appreciation,
Lee Fisher
President, Baldwin Wallace University