We Are Rising

June 8, 2026

"The past is behind, learn from it. The future is ahead, prepare for it. The present is here, live it.”
— Thomas Monson

Good morning BW,

This morning, as I reflect on my first year as President of Baldwin Wallace University, I am filled with gratitude and optimism.

When Peggy and I arrived in Berea last summer, we knew we were joining a special institution. What we could not have fully appreciated until we experienced it firsthand was the extraordinary warmth, generosity and sense of community that define Baldwin Wallace. From our very first days on campus, we felt welcomed not simply to campus but into a family.

Alumni Weekend – June 5-6, 2026

This past weekend, Peggy and I joined hundreds of alumni from more than 30 states, representing a 60-year range of graduation years, for our annual Alumni Weekend. We celebrated milestone reunions for the classes of 1966, 1976, 1986, 2001, 2016 and 2021. Special thanks to the Class of 1976 (which includes immediate past Board Chair Lee Thomas and his wife Cathi) – their total class giving to BW since they graduated 50 years ago is over $4 million!

Throughout the year, Peggy and I had the privilege of visiting with alumni in communities across the country. We are especially grateful to those who so graciously opened their homes and welcomed fellow Yellow Jackets for conversations about BW’s future. We left each visit inspired by your loyalty, encouraged by your support, and reminded that the BW spirit lives wherever our alumni call home.

Looking Back Over the Past Year

Below are just some of the many highlights over the last twelve months:

• In August 2025, we welcomed the talented Class of 2029 to campus and celebrated the University's 180th anniversary during a memorable Bold and Gold Homecoming.
• We expanded access and affordability through the President's Horizon Award.
• We were joined by numerous leaders from across Ohio as I was honored to be officially inaugurated as BW's 10th president.
• We saw the incredible generosity of our community during BW Gives, which raised nearly $1 million to support scholarships and the student experience.
• Our nursing program was named the best in Ohio.
• U.S. News & World Report once again recognized BW among the region's top universities, while Billboard, Playbill, and Backstage affirmed what we already know: BW remains one of the nation's premier destinations for aspiring performers, artists, and music business professionals.
• Our students continued to demonstrate what is possible when talent meets opportunity. From being published in scholarly journals or gaining real-world experience from the Super Bowl to clinics in leading health organizations. Others excelled in academic competitions, earning top honors in business and accounting.
• Our commitment to service and impact was equally inspiring. The BW Speech Clinic continued its mission of transforming lives by providing free services to hundreds of individuals and families in Northeast Ohio from its new home in Loomis Hall.
• Dance Marathon celebrated 25 years of supporting children and families, while students partnered with the Port of Cleveland to address real-world environmental challenges.
• The arts continued to shine brightly at BW. The Music Theatre program staged its highest-selling production since the pandemic with 9 to 5, while the world premiere of Star Machine captivated sold-out audiences at Playhouse Square.
• Our student-athletes once again demonstrated excellence on and off the field. We added women's flag football as our newest varsity sport.
• Women's basketball made its 20th NCAA Tournament appearance.
• Wrestling captured its sixth consecutive Ohio Athletic Conference championship.
• Women's rugby achieved the highest finish in program history with a national runner-up finish.
• And our baseball team delivered an unforgettable postseason run that sent them to the NCAA DIII World Series action and inspired the entire campus community.
• On May 9, we proudly celebrated more than 650 graduates at our 176th Commencement ceremony.

Our Momentum is Real - We Are Rising

Together, we have navigated challenges, embraced change, celebrated successes and continued the important work of building a stronger, more distinctive and more sustainable Baldwin Wallace.

As I begin my second year as president, I am more optimistic than ever about our future. The momentum is real. The opportunities are significant. And the best chapters of the Baldwin Wallace story are still being written.

As members of the BW community, each of us has an important role to play. I encourage you to continue sharing good news about Baldwin Wallace with friends, family members, neighbors and colleagues.

Today, BW is a stronger, more focused and more distinctive university. We are delivering on our promise to prepare students to graduate Leader-Ready, Team-Ready, Career-Ready and Future-Ready. If you know a student exploring college options, please encourage them to learn more about Baldwin Wallace, visit our campus, and discover what makes this community so special.

Thank you for making this first year so meaningful for Peggy and me. It has been one of the great honors of our lives to become part of this community. Together, we will continue moving Baldwin Wallace forward.

After next week’s Monday Morning Message, I will pause the morning messages for the remainder of the summer until we return for classes in late August.

With appreciation,

Lee Fisher
President, Baldwin Wallace University