As a dedication to the longest serving Baldwin Wallace University President, A. B. Bonds, the Center for Global Exploration has dedicated a space to him.   

Along with creating scholarships for supporting students on their study abroad journeys, A. B. Bonds’ has a deep legacy for discovery and tradition with his family. His children, Sandy and Stephen Bonds, spoke about their time travelling with their family as children. They came to Berea, then Europe and back again several times. 

“Internationalism has always been an integral part of our family life,” Sandy Bonds said. 

Bonds built a connected community with foreign students at BW, building a strong sense affinity with many people. Both foreign students and study abroad remain an important part of life at BW.   

“The world will be a better place when we share our humanity across borders,” said Sandy Bonds. Stephen Bonds spoke about childhood memories that are dear to him, and how students should take advantage of the possibilities of creating memories.  

Christie Shrefler, head of the study abroad program, spoke about how people can sometimes feel uncertain with the idea of study abroad, but that the excitement is worth it. She talked about how the transformation of students returned from studying is so evident, and that it shapes not just individuals, but entire families.  

Bailey Croft, a student who recently studied abroad for an entire semester in Ireland, spoke deeply about building relationships with new people, and how those friendships will last forever. She described studying abroad as a “remarkable privilege,” and that the opportunity provides you with the advantages of learning new perspectives of life and making new friends.