The BW chapter, which recently hosted the statewide Circle K Fall Rally, has long been among the most honored chapters in the state.
Students in Baldwin Wallace University's Circle K International (CKI) stay busy … very busy. And, they are regularly named among the best Circle K clubs in all of Ohio. This year, when Circle K International members gathered in Pittsburgh from all over the world for a global convention, BW's good works stood out at the highest level of the organization.
BW was honored with a 1st Place - Outstanding Service Initiative Involvement, 2nd Place - Outstanding Club Achievement in the Gold Division (an overall club award), 2nd Place - Outstanding Single Service Project for work with the Cleveland Book Bank and a Distinguished Bulletin Editor win for Ella Powell '26.
The president of BW's Circle K International, Steffi Burdick '26, an adolescent and young adult education and English integrated language arts major and Strongsville High School graduate, says, "We are tremendously grateful to have won these awards, especially since we were up against schools with much larger student bodies who also submitted nominations of projects. Though we are a smaller school, our BW Circle K club is mighty."
Burdick also notes that BW has gotten more involved with the district board, with Powell serving as Ohio District Governor, Abby Shipe '27 as Ohio District Membership and Recruitment Chair, Willie Malkoski '27 as Lieutenant Governor of the Western Reserve, serving BW and Case Western, and Anthony Diaz '26 as the Laws, Regulations, and Awards Chair.
"Our club continues to do amazing things on campus with our weekly meetings and service projects, but we continue to be heavily involved in district events, truly a testament to BW CKI's dedication to its mission," Burdick notes.
That state-level involvement led BW to host Circle K Ohio's Fall Rally earlier this month with 90 attendees, including students from 10 schools, such as Bowling Green University, The Ohio State University, Ohio Wesleyan University and more.
With a theme of "Lights, Camera, Action! Fall Rally," the single-day conference engaged students in leadership development workshops, fellowship and, of course, service. The projects included basic CPR training; making backpack first aid kits; knitting Plarn (plastic yarn) into mats for those in need for Berea Kiwanis; tying blankets for Laura's Home, a women's shelter near campus; and creating Thanksgiving cards for Generations Living in Berea.
Burdick says while Circle K's reach is wide, the group makes sure to focus on the people around them every day.
"We also strive to give back to our BW community," she says. "For example, at our meeting before Halloween, we made treat bags to give to all of the wonderful Buildings & Grounds folks to share our appreciation for them."
For Burdick, the success of the club is all about the people.
"We have so many amazing members who are driven and passionate to make the world a little bit brighter by doing community service. It is truly a testament to what the BW community is to have this many people want to come together to do service not only in our club but all the service organizations on campus."
Circle K was one of the first organizations Burdick joined when she arrived on campus in 2022, and she would do it all over again.
"Getting involved … is such a great way to make friends and seek new opportunities that just may change your life as well! I have had life-changing experiences with everything I have been involved in, enabling me to grow into the best person I can be — what BW wants for every student."
