The first day of classes for the 2025 Fall Semester at Baldwin Wallace University (BW) in Berea is August 25. That day, the newest first-year class will begin its higher academic journey at the school that was founded in 1845.
For the most part, these freshmen will reflect the profile of BW’s current students — 30% of students are the first in their family to go to college; one in five students are from out-of-state; more than 30 states are represented. But there is one member of this first-year class who doesn’t quite fit the profile of a typical member of the Class of 2029.
“Baldwin Wallace, which will be 180 years old this fall, will welcome this new class which I am a part of,” says Lee Fisher, who was named BW’s 10th president in February and assumed the school’s top position July 1. “In some ways, I consider myself to be a freshman. I am actually going to approach my first year as a first-year student, looking at BW with a whole new set of eyes. Looking through the eyes of students will make me a better president.”
Fisher’s official presidential inauguration is October 9, at the Lou Higgins Recreation Center on campus.
In reality, it’s been a few decades since Fisher was a freshman at Oberlin College where he completed his undergraduate work. (He also earned a law degree from Case Western Reserve University in 1976.) But what he accomplished between then and now has been extraordinary, becoming a leader well positioned to lead BW into its next chapter, according to his supporters. Fisher’s powerful influence and guidance continues to be felt across Ohio in education, government, law, business and community engagement.
Paul Clark is a BW board of trustees member and retired regional president of PNC Bank in Cleveland. Clark first met Fisher when the new BW president was president and CEO of the Center for Families and Children, one of the largest nonprofit organizations in Ohio.
At the time, PNC’s main philanthropic focus was childhood education. Fisher took the time to help PNC “really understand early childhood education in Greater Cleveland” and ensure the financial institution best utilized its funding to support its causes, according to Clark. Over the years, Fisher’s insights about education on every level expanded, and interaction between the two leaders continued.
“When we were looking for someone to be president, we knew Lee had the experience — in the private sector, politics and academia — to be a very successful one. He has a very unique talent and we are happy to have him,” says Clark, who obtained his MBA from BW in 1981.
Clark also noted Fisher’s position as former counsel and partner for the law firm Hahn Loeser, his successful political career and his most recent position as dean of Cleveland State University College of Law.
Fisher served as Lt. Governor of Ohio (2007 – 2011); Director, Ohio Department of Development (2007 – 2009); Attorney General of Ohio (1991 – 1995); State Senator (1983 –1990); and State Representative (1981 – 1983.) As Attorney General, Fisher served as legal counsel for all of Ohio’s public universities.
“What I learned at Cleveland State is that deep engagement with students, staff, faculty and alumni is absolutely critical. All the strategies in the world are pretty irrelevant if you are not forming relationships with your own community,” says Fisher, who was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at BW’s May 2025 Commencement Ceremony where he was the keynote speaker. “I’m looking for that engagement here at BW.”
Clark says Fisher has the ability to “connect and understand” when he’s “engaging one-on-one, in a small group or in something larger like BW’s commencement.” Expanding the scope of the speech delivered at the spring commencement, Fisher also feels BW, as an institution of higher learning, must honor what it is, get better at what it is and use its strengths to make a better world.
“It is important that our students know we accept them for who they are when they are admitted. We are not looking to change them, but for them to build their character,” emphasizes Fisher. “We want to help students find their core values and build curriculum and programs around those. That will make them not only better students, but better people and help prepare them for fulfilling careers.”
Fisher is adamant that “universities can no longer be all things to all people.”
“Universities must focus on their unique strengths. And that’s what we are going to do as we move forward,” says Fisher.
Although he believes BW has numerous outstanding degree programs, Fisher points out that the school is well known for business (representing approximately 22% of the total enrollment) and performing arts. The Conservatory of Performing Arts (with majors in instrumental and vocal performance, music education, theatre, dance and arts entrepreneurship) is nationally known and can boast of 75 BW grads performing on Broadway and national tours over the past 15 years.
Fisher’s wife, Peggy Zone Fisher, has already expressed an interest in BW’s music theatre program and will make it one of her special causes. (Zone Fisher also hopes to become significantly involved in BW’s women studies.) She retired as the president and CEO of the Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio in August 2024.
“I told the university when I was hired that they were getting two for one. Peggy is all in on BW and will be a full partner in this effort of ours,” says Fisher.
Fisher also sees his first year as BW president as an opportunity to strengthen existing ties between the university and Northeast Ohio, expanding connections and partnerships. He is calling for more “experiential learning” and considers both the cities of Berea and Cleveland to be “BW classrooms.”
“Berea is just a beautiful town and our campus is close to the Cleveland Browns headquarters and training campus. There will also be new development there by the Browns over the next two years that will be great for the team, Berea and BW,” says Fisher, referring to the Haslam Sports Group’s 16-acre, privately funded project called District 46 that is expected to include a community field, sports medicine facility, apartments and retail space. “I am looking to strengthening BW’s relationships with the City of Berea and with the Browns. That will strengthen the university as well.”
Fisher said the “deep loyalty” that is shown by those who have been associated with BW over the years is very impressive.
“I have friends of mine I have known for 40 years, but I really didn’t know they were BW grads,” explains Fisher. “As soon as they found out about my new position, I started getting multiple calls a day from them. They all say, ‘How can I help you? I’d do anything for BW.’”
This year’s Bold & Gold Homecoming Festival, a combination homecoming, alumni day and fall fun celebration on campus, is October 25. Fisher says by then he plans to have adjusted his wardrobe to include more brown- and gold-colored clothing to reflect the school’s spirit colors.
“I’m really excited about my first year at BW,” says Fisher.
