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The longstanding tradition celebrated five individuals whose service, leadership and dedication have helped shape the University's legacy.
One of Baldwin Wallace University's oldest traditions, Founders Day is observed each year on or near Oct. 13, the birthday of founder John Baldwin, whose vision, leadership and generosity helped establish Baldwin Wallace in 1845. Multiple honorees may be recognized, including those honored posthumously as well as current and former faculty, staff, trustees and alumni.
Led by President Lee Fisher, the 2026 Founders Day breakfast and ceremony on Oct. 8 highlighted the exceptional service and leadership of several individuals who have made lasting contributions to the life and legacy of the University. This year's honorees include:
George T. Boyer, a United States Navy veteran, came to Baldwin Wallace after World War II, studied business under the renowned Dr. Jacob O. Kamm '40, and credited his BW education with launching his distinguished career in finance. He met his beloved wife, Fran, on campus, and they were married for more than 60 years.
He was appointed to the Baldwin Wallace Board of Trustees in 1969 and eventually became the University's longest-serving trustee, generously sharing his time, talent, and treasure for more than half a century, including leadership of the Annual Fund and fifteen years chairing the trustee investment committee.
Baldwin Wallace recognized his achievement and service with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1977 and the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges Earl F. Morris Award for trustee service in 2011. In 2022, BW named the Carmel Boyer School of Business in honor of his enduring commitment to the University, its students and its future.
Dr. Indira Gesink, professor of history, has served Baldwin Wallace since 2000, teaching Middle Eastern and Islamic history, world history, historiography, gender studies, and the Arab-Israeli conflicts while inviting students to engage historical controversies through evidence, inquiry and thoughtful debate.
Her book "Barefoot Millionaire: John Baldwin and the Founding Values of Baldwin Wallace University" has become central to our campus community's understanding of our origin story and the inspiring life of our founder, John Baldwin, who, in the face of failure, saw potential where others could not, pressed through where others would have quit, and whose unyielding faith in both failure and success has become the legacy we celebrate during this occasion.
Suzanne Strew served the University as a professor and now holds the esteemed title of Professor Emerita, signifying a career of valued contribution and an enduring place within the Baldwin Wallace academic community. Her teaching and engagement with students in Health & Physical Education classes
was the catalyst for what would become BW's dance program, which she has continued to passionately support throughout her 50-plus-year tenure.
She holds the distinction of being the first recipient of BW's esteemed Carl S. Bechberger Award for Human Development, presented to the faculty member whose outstanding work with individuals and/or student groups outside the classroom represented a major contribution to their development. She will forever be considered a standard-bearer and prime example of the extraordinary commitment to students' growth and flourishing that undergirds what we now refer to as "The BW Way."
Willard E. "Bill" Carmel studied business, formed friendships, met the love of his life (Donna '54, whom he married on campus in the Lindsay-Crossman Chapel) and maintained enduring relationships throughout his life, exemplifying the lasting bonds between BW and its alumni.
During four decades of service to Baldwin Wallace, Bill contributed his time and talent, serving as vice chairman and chairman of the Board of Trustees. He led multiple capital campaigns, raising tens of millions of dollars and helping secure the University's financial future.
As a respected business strategist and leader, he became chairman and president of McDonald & Company Securities. He generously mentored generations of financial professionals, many of them Baldwin Wallace graduates. His extraordinary example is permanently honored in the name of the Baldwin Wallace University Carmel Boyer School of Business.
Dr. Neal Malicky devoted 25 years of extraordinary service to Baldwin Wallace University—six years as vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college, 18 years as president and one year as chancellor—and thereafter remained a devoted and beloved Yellow Jacket for Life.
His presidency advanced Baldwin Wallace through two landmark campaigns: the Campaign for Baldwin-Wallace College, which raised more than $19.5 million against a $15 million goal, and the Campaign for the 21st Century, which raised more than $55 million against a $44 million goal, all in all increasing BW's endowment from about $15 million to over $100 million over the course of his presidency.
For many who served BW with him, President Malicky is remembered most not for his outstanding accomplishments and advancement of the University, but for his extraordinary ability to know everyone by name and build a community where all understood their contribution to BW's "Quality Education with a Personal Touch."
