Mothers and daughters often share a lot during their lifetimes— physical traits, personality traits, graduation dates? Dawn MBA ’08 and Jen ’08 Baldwin (Pioneer, Ohio) happen to share two graduation dates. This coming spring, Dawn and Jen will graduate from Bluffton University: Dawn with her MBA and Jen with a bachelor’s degree in middle childhood education.
Just three years ago, Jen was preparing to graduate from North Central High School, as Dawn was finishing up a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at Taylor University in Ft. Wayne, Ind. “The weekend we graduated was a big weekend for our family,” says Dawn. Jen chose to begin her college career at Bluffton. She grew up attending Silver Creek Church of the Brethren services, where her dad is pastor. Her best friend attended a local Mennonite church, and Jen would go with her to youth group and Vacation Bible Schools, the latter of which their churches held jointly. Bluffton was the natural choice.
Working as a 911 coordinator for Williams County, Dawn desired to return to school for her master’s degree and was interested in Bluffton’s mission focus. “I love what I do,” says Dawn, “but I’m fascinated with restorative justice and conflict mediation.” Having Jen attend the same school was an added bonus.
Dawn says the one thing she and her husband have always wanted their children to understand is that “if you have a dream, go for it. If it doesn’t work out, there is no shame or failure.” The important thing is never saying “I can’t” or “I won’t,” says Dawn.
