On March 6, the Women for BW philanthropy group held their annual spring recognition event, honoring recipients of the fall 2024 Giving Circle Award and the spring 2025 Legacy Award.
These awards provide financial grants to women [both students and staff], at Baldwin Wallace University, with up to $5,000 dollars to staff and $2,000 dollars to students as explained by Jennifer Kudla, senior philanthropy advisor.
The Giving Circle Awards are given to multiple projects, determined by a selection committee who examine the projects’ qualities such as impact and execution, whereas the Legacy Award is given to only one student based on academics, future endeavors, and needs.
This spring, junior business information systems student Jenna Shepard earned the prestigious Legacy Award due to her strong academics, leadership in campus organizations, and balance of work and school life, according to Ilia Estremera, alumni engagement manager.
At the event, Giving Circle recipients showcased the progress or results of their projects to the members who helped fund them.
“It really was very nice to see so many recipients come back and really give an update about their awards to the membership” as “100% of their dollars go directly to these programs,” Estremera said.
One of these updates came from BW’s Treble Choir, who performed at the Ohio Music Education Association conference in Cleveland. Jami Lecher, conductor of BW Treble Choir, said travels went smoothly due to the reliable bus transport funded by Women for BW. She emphasized that the additional funds helped to create music programs with vibrant colors and enough space to recognize every student.
Treble Choir performed select songs from the OMEA performance at the Recognition Event, letting Women for BW members “get a sneak peak of what their money went toward,” Lercher said. “It was very well received.”
Another update came from freshman composition major Mia Sgambellone, who said she received a Giving Circle award to improve her home music studio. The money supports her purchasing new technology and instruments for her concept album, “Caricature,” which explores the struggles of living with borderline personality disorder [BPD].
At the event, Sgambellone said she could share her story, explaining that a woman wanting to learn more about BPD talked with her for 20 minutes.
According to Estremera, alumnae on the committee were once award recipients themselves, creating a culture where former generations can give back.
“Women for BW is constantly trying to get as many members as they can to give back to BW students,” said Estremera. “It’s great to see this full circle.”
Alumnae can join Women for BW by going www.bwcommunity.net/women-for-bw and filling out donation information at the bottom of the page.
