Taking our Students to New Heights
March 30, 2026
"I touch the future. I teach." — Christa McAuliffe
Good Morning BW,
One of the most powerful differentiators of a Baldwin Wallace education is our faculty — educators, mentors, coaches, and artists — who do more than teach. They invest in our students, challenge them to grow, and help them become Leader-Ready, Career-Ready, and Future-Ready.
Across our campus, faculty are shaping lives in ways that take our students to new heights. Let me share a few of many examples.
In athletics, Head Coach Laura Demaline and Diving Coach Tim Croy literally helped one of our student-athletes reach new heights. BW’s Makenna Mincey achieved a remarkable milestone — earning National Runner-up honors in the 1-meter diving event at the 2026 NCAA Division III Championships, earning her first All-American honor. This season, she became the first BW diver to earn All-American honors since 2012, and claimed her second straight OAC Diver of the Year Award. She is the OAC and school record holder in the 1-meter and 11 dive events and she also holds the BW Natatorium record for the 3-meter and 6 dives and 3-meter and 11-dives events. Out of the pool, she is an Academic All-OAC honoree with a perfect 4.00 grade point average in mathematics and accounting. Makenna’s achievements are not just about performance; they reflect discipline, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence — hallmarks of the leadership we teach in and outside the classroom.
Coach Demaline shared, “What matters as much as this historic achievement is who Makenna became through the process. I believe that is true for all of our student-athletes at Baldwin Wallace. The discipline they build, the resilience they show, the confidence they gain, in addition to learning to be a great teammate, transcends their results in competition. Success in competition is absolutely meaningful, but the lasting impact comes from fostering personal growth, strong relationships, and a sense of purpose that extends beyond the pool deck.”
In engineering, Professor Jeff Dusek is opening doors for students through hands-on, real-world learning. His recent grant award from the U.S. Department of Energy's Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) is expanding opportunities for student-driven capstone projects — giving students the chance to solve complex problems, work collaboratively, and apply their knowledge in meaningful ways. This is where leadership begins: with confidence built through experience.
Professor Dusek noted, “Making an impact on the student experience in engineering means engaging in externally focused projects through research that increase connections to career pathways and the local community. The Engineering Capstone Program offers students work on challenging, often underdefined, projects that reward creativity and push them outside of their comfort zone. Capstone is hard, and prototypes often don't work, and frustration is common, but the goal is to provide the resources, support, and encouragement for students to overcome challenges and create a result they are proud of.”
In the arts, Professor Bryan Bowser, Associate Dean of the Conservatory of Performing Arts (COPA), continues to innovate in the Arts Management Program, creating new pathways for students to engage with the industry in dynamic and forward-thinking ways. His work reflects the creativity, adaptability, and entrepreneurial mindset that define leadership in today’s world.
Playhouse Square and Baldwin Wallace University's COPA will present the world premiere of Star Machine, an original musical comedy created by a multi-generational writing team. BW alumnus Gideon Temple and his brother, BW senior Hank Temple, composed the music and lyrics, and their parents, authors Hollee and John Temple, wrote the book. It will performed by BW music theatre students and produced by BW arts management seniors. The show will debut April 24-26 at Playhouse Square's Helen Theatre following an industry presentation at off-Broadway's New World Stages in New York City earlier in April.
Professor Bowser reflects on how the show evolved, “I remember sitting with Gideon and Hank early in the journey talking about their dreams of seeing the show fully produced and helping to chart a pathway towards that goal. Faculty from across the Conservatory have provided feedback, mentorship, and encouragement as the show progressed from idea, to sketch, to full production.”
Our faculty meet students where they are, push them to reach higher, and support them every step of the way. They model what it means to lead — with integrity, curiosity, and purpose.
It’s no surprise that Baldwin Wallace continues to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report for excellence. That recognition reflects what we already know: our faculty don’t just educate — they transform. Baldwin Wallace University is ranked a top higher education choice in U.S. News and World Report's "Best Colleges" survey, coming in at #12 on the 2026 list of top universities in the 12-state Midwest Region. Additionally, Best Value (#23), Best for Social Mobility (#26) and Best for Veterans (#5) among 164 Midwest Regional peer institutions.
As we continue our work together, let’s take pride in the role each of our faculty and coaches play in preparing our students to lead — in their careers, in their communities, and in their lives.
With gratitude and pride,
Lee Fisher
President, Baldwin Wallace University