Moments That Remind Us Why Our Work Matters
May 18, 2026
"Our family was fortunate to be part of the 1st ever Spring Athletics Graduation ceremony (for the BW Baseball Team) ... Thank you for providing us with a beautiful ceremony and for acknowledging the depth of pride we all hold for our sons when it comes to their college careers ... I spent today telling my colleagues about the BW Moment we got to experience ... We are forever grateful for a moment we will always remember."
— Melissa Bly, Principal, Mason Early Childhood Center
Good Morning BW,
This morning I want to share some news about our academic programs, the accomplishments of some of our faculty, and the continued success of our BW Baseball Team.
2026-27 Budget Approved by BW Board of Trustees
The BW Board of Trustees recently approved the 2026-27 operating budget (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027). This budget is premised on our belief that our mission drives our work, and our financial margin sustains it.
The approved budget incorporates the outcomes of the academic optimization process we launched in January with our faculty to align our academic offerings more closely with student demand and workforce needs. We owe it to our students to make sure that our academic programs are relevant to their career aspirations and to where the world is going. We are fulfilling our responsibility to be not only academically excellent, but also relevant, responsive, and transformative in the lives of our students. It is how we ensure that our graduates are truly leader-ready, career-ready, and future-ready.
Faculty Tenure and Promotion
The Board also approved recommendations for tenure and promotion for some outstanding members of our faculty. These actions are among the most meaningful ways we recognize faculty excellence and their deep commitment to our students and our university.
Please join me in congratulating the following faculty members:
Granting of Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor
- René Copeland, Theatre
- Yolanda Flenoury, Nursing
- Navneet Grant, Computer Science
- Diane Kocisko, Nursing
- Alex Morgan, Allied Health, Sport, & Wellness
- Chris Seminatore, Nursing
Granting of Tenure
- Colleen Nye, Biology and Geology
(previously promoted to Associate Professor)
Promotion to Associate Professor
- Tony Dick, Marketing & Sport Management
Promotion to Full Professor
- Catherine Lane, Mathematics and Statistics
Promotion in Rank
- Denise Kohn, English
- Colleen Visconti, Communication Sciences & Disorders
Each of these faculty members represents the dedication, expertise and student-centered commitment that make BW such a meaningful place to learn and grow. We are grateful for their work and proud to recognize this important milestone in their professional careers.
BW Baseball Team Advances to the NCAA Super Regionals
I want to celebrate the continued success of our BW Baseball Team. The Yellow Jackets traveled to Decatur, Illinois, for NCAA Regional play and delivered three impressive wins to become champions of the Decatur Regional and advance to the NCAA Super Regionals, for a best-of-three series on May 22-23. Some additional late breaking news – BW will host the series!
I had the honor this past Tuesday of awarding degrees to 12 of our baseball champion seniors during a special commencement ceremony held for them and their families in the Knowlton Center. We gathered as a community to celebrate these students not only as athletes, but as proud graduates of Baldwin Wallace University.
What struck me most were Head Coach Brian Harrison's words. He reminded us that coming together to celebrate these students was a powerful reminder of the personal attention and community that define the BW experience.
My thanks to Coach Harrison, Director of Athletics Steve Thompson, Dr. Léna Crain, Rev. CJ Harkness, Dr. Cathy Dollard, and Dr. Brendan Caldwell, for their participation in the ceremony.
Moments like these remind us why this work matters. Whether we are bringing greater focus to our academic programs, recognizing the excellence of our faculty, celebrating our graduates, or cheering on our student-athletes, we are doing the same essential work: strengthening Baldwin Wallace for the students we serve today and for those who will follow.
With appreciation,
Lee Fisher
President, Baldwin Wallace University