Yellow Jackets return, remember, reconnect at BW Alumni Weekend

The spirit of "Yellow Jackets for Life" (YJ4L) shone as Baldwin Wallace University welcomed alumni back to campus on June 5-6 under the theme of Return, Remember, Reconnect.

From familiar faces on the steps of Strosacker Hall to new traditions, Baldwin Wallace University's 2026 Alumni Weekend delivered two memorable days of activities encouraging alumni to revisit favorite spots, share stories and make new memories. Alumni in attendance spanned the years 1953 to 2026.

The BW Center for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement gave a special shout-out to the Class of 1966 as they celebrated BW's first 60th reunion in many years. Back in 2016, the Class of 1966 enjoyed record attendance at their 50th reunion, and now, 10 years later, they eagerly returned for their 60th.

Friday: Honoring Excellence and Haunted History

Festivities kicked off Friday afternoon as alumni checked in, toured campus and gathered with affinity groups and clubs.

The evening marked the debut of a newly restructured Alumni Awards celebration. Honorees of the BW Alumni Merit and Outstanding Young Alumni Awards and their families enjoyed a VIP reception at the President's Residence. Afterward, they joined the broader community for the All-Class dinner and awards ceremony in Strosacker Hall, where their peers toasted their professional achievements, service and contributions to the BW community.

The night concluded with a thrill as over 40 brave alumni gathered in Fynette Kulas Music Hall for a "Haunted Stories of BW" presentation and walking tour that explored the spooky side of campus lore in the Malicky Center for Social Sciences and Lang Hall.

Saturday: Seminars, Food Trucks and Celebration

Saturday morning included affinity group and club gatherings as well as seminars reconnecting alumni with campus and fellow graduates:

• Be Wise with Your Wealth: Dr. Kathryn Bryan ’00 provided strategies to support BW and its students, emphasizing thoughtful financial planning and tax-saving options.
• The Road to College: BW Admission staff helped demystify the modern college admissions process.
• BW Athletics Coaches Roundtable: Coaches Cheri Harrer (Women’s Basketball), Nicholle Shoger (Women’s Lacrosse) and Laura Demaline (Swimming & Diving) gave alumni an inside look at the upcoming athletics seasons.
• BW Timeline Trivia: BW Archivist Kieth Peppers hosted a fast-paced game show, putting generations of alumni to the test on vintage prices, pop culture, and BW history.

Midday brought food trucks, affinity gatherings, tours and reconnecting with classmates.

Saturday evening featured the All Alumni Celebration and Ribbon Ceremony honoring the milestone reunion classes of 1966, 1976, 1986, 2001, 2016 and 2021. As the 1976 Class renewed their honorary ribbons, the entire room celebrated the enduring legacy that connects every single Yellow Jacket.

Generous giving and Alumni Decade Challenge

A special thank you was given to the Class of 1976. Their total class giving to BW since they graduated 50 years ago is $4,816,723.86!

Bringing a new dimension of Yellow Jacket pride to Alumni Weekend, BW launched an Alumni Decade Challenge — a friendly competition celebrating both engagement and generosity. Beginning last July and culminating during Alumni Weekend, the challenge invited alumni from each graduating decade to support the Fund for BW with a gift of any size and to rally their classmates to do the same.

Highest Giving Participation

When it came to stepping up for the Fund for BW, the 1960s led the field, with 11.10% of alumni from that decade making a gift to BW during the fiscal year. The 1970s secured a strong second-place finish at 7.56%, while the 1950s locked down third place at 6.88%.

Highest Attendance

The race was just as competitive in weekend participation. The 1970s claimed the attendance crown with the most alumni returning to campus. The 1960s kept the momentum going with a second-place finish, and the 2000s rounded out the top three.

"When we unite generations of Yellow Jackets for Life, we don't just celebrate our history; we build a strategic foundation of meaningful engagement and mentorship that inspires our current students and shapes the future of BW." — Tony Peebles, MBA '98, BW Director of Alumni Engagement

The YJ4L Way

From the newest graduates to alumni celebrating their 60th reunion, attendees demonstrated the strength of the BW community. Whether reconnecting with lifelong friends, exploring campus changes or sharing memories of their student days, alumni enjoyed coming home to Baldwin Wallace.

The weekend wrapped up with a clear takeaway: campus may evolve, but BW bonds remain strong, uniting Yellow Jackets for Life.

For details on alumni events and staying connected, visit the BW Alumni web page.

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