Olivia Plunkett of Haddonfield was one of the exceptional female students chosen for Baldwin Wallace University’s 126th White Rose recognition, according to a release issued Tuesday by the Cleveland-area institute of higher education.
Plunkett, a graduate of Haddonfield Memorial High School majoring in history, was nominated by faculty and staff to be honored for her special contribution to life at the school.
White Rose recognition is a historic tradition of BW’s spring commencement day in memory of Philura Gould Baldwin, granddaughter of BW founder John Baldwin and BW’s first librarian. There is no set of specific standards or criteria that must be met, but each woman must have, in her own unique way, distinguished herself by making a difference in the BW community.
The women of the White Rose represent the same commitment and contribution shown by the woman they honor through this longstanding BW tradition.
Plunkett also has gone above and beyond the university’s degree requirements to complete BW’s challenging and rewarding honors program.
Plunkett made the most of the college experience by joining a community of scholars dedicated to academic excellence, leadership development and community engagement, developing the whole student along the way.
Interdisciplinary and experiential, the BW honors program offers students unique, seminar-style courses that encourage academic exploration and independent thinking as well as countless opportunities to grow as campus leaders.
A total of 23 students completed the program requirements in May 2020 out of more than 500 undergraduates who completed their degrees.
Baldwin Wallace University, founded in 1845, was one of the first colleges to admit students without regard to race or gender. An independent, coeducational university of 3,800 students, BW offers coursework in the liberal arts tradition in more than 80 academic areas.
