Help create jobs and wealth in Northeast Ohio. Uncover new knowledge to advance public policy development and decision-making. Assist regional economic redevelopment. Ensure the success of new businesses.
Those are lofty, vital goals for Northeast Ohio and a daily focus for scores of students and faculty at Baldwin-Wallace.
"It's all part of being an active, contributing partner in confronting the major issues for our region," said B-W President Richard Durst. "We know that if our College is to thrive, we must do our part to ensure that the city of Berea, Greater Cleveland and our region also are successful.
"We also know that there are incredible opportunities for learning when our college community is actively and passionately involved in finding the solutions to the challenges that face us."
Today, students and faculty members throughout the College are addressing those challenges.
"Through outreach activities in the Business Clinic, the Tax Clinic or the Center for Innovation and Growth, we are purposely building a natural bridge between our desire to engage the broader community, be good citizens and to meet our students' needs to apply their knowledge to the real world," said Wayne Cunningham, Division of Business Administration chair.
Several years ago, B-W students led a groundbreaking study for seven neighboring communities to explore the possibility of combing fire and emergency services, some of the most costly and labor intensive areas for all communities. Working with faculty members Mary Pisnar, Pierre David and Eric Fingerhut, the group helped identify areas for savings and improved return on investments through a shared services approach.
"These students had an unmatched opportunity to innovate," noted Eric Fingerhut, who now is chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents. They presented their findings and recommendations to an advisory committee of city officials, emergency services personnel, hospital administrators and civic leaders. The discussion is continuing in the city councils of the participating communities, according to Pisnar.
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"Small business owners start with a product, a service, an idea or a dream, but often not a clearly defined, realistic plan. What we do at the Clinic is facilitate the fulfillment of their dreams."
--Gabe Rosica |
Each year, 30 to 50 small business owners come to the B-W Business Clinic. Here they meet a team of students and one or more of the Clinic's 15 volunteer executives who will work with them on feasibility studies, business plans or other support that will help ensure their success.
"Creating a new company can be difficult," said Gabe Rosica, a retired executive vice president with Keithley Instruments and an executive volunteer. "Small business owners start with a product, a service, an idea or a dream, but often not a clearly defined, realistic plan. What we do at the Clinic is facilitate the fulfillment of their dreams."
According to Clinic director Phillip Bessler, students learning in a traditional model might be exposed to one business idea and plan. "They would get to know that business very well, but it would be only one. The students in the Clinic work with anywhere from 10 to 20 real businesses and are exposed to a broad range of business models, leadership, and funding requirements," he said.
275 Eastland Rd.