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Ovation showcased over 100 student-led projects, setting the stage for an event focused on innovation and achievement — ranging from lunar crater detection to real-world medical software.
Baldwin Wallace University transformed its campus into a vibrant hub of discovery on Thursday, April 30, as the annual Ovation Festival brought the BW community together to celebrate academic and creative excellence. Since its founding in 2007, Ovation has served as a signature event recognizing student achievement in research, scholarship, experiential learning and the arts.
Classes were recessed for the day, allowing full participation in the festivities, which began with a welcome ceremony in the Knowlton Center. Setting an energetic tone for the day, BW President Lee Fisher delivered the keynote address, saying, "This day is a powerful demonstration of what it means to be Leader-Ready, Career-Ready, and Future-Ready — our students applying what they’ve learned with confidence and purpose."
This year's festival featured student projects displayed throughout the Knowlton Center and the Center for Innovation and Growth, representing every school within the University. From health and education to STEM, business, computing, the arts and social sciences, the breadth of work underscored Ovation's mission to elevate student contributions across all disciplines.
Participation in Ovation requires students to complete a formal submission process and secure approval from a faculty mentor, ensuring that each project reflects meaningful scholarly or creative effort.
Click below for a quick tour of Ovation 2026:
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The festival buzzed with hands-on demonstrations and interactive experiences. Students in the CSC-263 Internet of Things course showcased devices with sensors for everything from package theft to water leaks, capable of collecting data and displaying it online in real time.
Software engineering students presented the Mission Guatemala Database, a system currently used in a medical clinic to manage patient care, as well as a forward-looking demo on AI-assisted, spec-driven software development that explored how AI is reshaping coding practices.
In the UX Research Lab, eye-tracking technology offered a window into how users interact with digital platforms, giving insights into more intuitive, accessible and effective digital experiences.
In another demonstration, students built a machine learning model that can detect lunar craters — technology with implications for the safety of NASA's spacecraft landings.
Beyond technical innovation, Ovation highlighted personal and community-centered work.
First-year students shared reflections through the PhotoVoice Project, exploring themes of connection during their initial year at BW.
The Entrepreneurship Showcase, sponsored by BW LaunchNET, featured a dozen student- and alumni-owned ventures, offering everything from products to networking opportunities.
The AI Innovation Lounge highlighted student consultants from the Digital Marketing Center, who demonstrated tools and services supporting small businesses, including a partnership with ai4smallbiz.org, which provides AI services.
Attendees could also participate in free biometric screenings hosted by the Exercise is Medicine On Campus co-curricular group, blending health awareness with hands-on learning.
A "Trivia Buzz Zone," sponsored by Trebisky Game Show Buzzers, added a playful note as participants tested their knowledge of BW and the many academic programs represented at Ovation.
The Missing Man Table installation offered a quiet moment of reflection honoring U.S. service members who are prisoners of war, missing in action and those who have not returned home.
The day concluded with senior capstone presentations in engineering and environmental science, offering a final spotlight on year-long projects and signaling the transition from student to professional life.
Generously sponsored by Smith & Oby and Margaret W. Wong & Associates, LLC, Ovation 2026 served as both a celebration and a crescendo — an academic year distilled into a single day of ideas, ambition and achievement.
