Baker University joins the Baldwin Wallace University community and countless others in mourning the loss of Dr. Neal Malicky, a beloved alumnus, former Board of Trustees member, interim president, esteemed dean, faculty member in political science, and lifelong champion of education, who passed away on November 22, 2024.
A celebration of Dr. Malicky’s life will take place at 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, at the United Methodist Church of Berea, located at 170 Seminary Street, Berea, Ohio.
Dr. Malicky’s remarkable journey in higher education began in Baldwin City, Kansas, where his family settled after he was born in Sour Lake, Texas. Baldwin City, the home of Baker University, was founded by John Baldwin, a visionary who also established Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio. This connection embodies how Dr. Malicky’s career bridged these two institutions, reflecting John Baldwin’s enduring belief in the transformative power of education.
While attending Baker University for his undergraduate degree, Dr. Malicky met his wife, Margi Wilson Malicky, and forged lifelong friendships, graduating with the Class of 1956. Together, they dedicated their lives to education and service while raising their three sons—Michael, Eric, and David—supporting each other through decades of academic leadership.
After graduating from Baker, Dr. Malicky pursued advanced degrees that prepared him for a life of insightful educational impact. He earned a Master of Divinity from Southern Methodist University in 1959 and served as a Methodist pastor in Peekskill, New York, while completing his Ph.D. in international affairs from Columbia University in 1968. He also undertook additional study at Harvard University before embarking on a distinguished career in higher education administration.
Returning to Baker
Dr. Malicky began his academic career as a faculty member at Drew University in New Jersey before returning to Baker University in 1969 to serve as dean of the college and professor of political science. During the 1973–74 academic year, he provided steady leadership as acting president during a time of transition, reaffirming the university’s commitment to excellence and integrity. In 1975, Dr. Malicky left Baker to assume the responsibilities of vice president for academic affairs at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio. In 1981, he was named the college’s sixth president, a position he held for 18 years.
During his presidency, he increased faculty salaries, oversaw numerous campus improvements, and grew the college’s endowment from $15 million to more than $114 million. Dr. Malicky coined the new college motto, “Quality Education with a Personal Touch,” emphasizing faculty teaching over publishing or scholarly work. In recognition of his leadership, he was named president emeritus and chancellor in 1999, an honor previously bestowed only on his predecessor, Alfred Bryan Bonds. The Neal Malicky Center for the Social Sciences at Baldwin Wallace was named in his honor in 2001.
After retirement, Dr. Malicky served as an adjunct professor in the Graduate School at Kent State University, teaching courses in leadership in higher education. He also served as an independent director for Strong Capital Management and actively volunteered with various educational and civic associations in the greater Cleveland area.
Photo: Dr. Malicky was a regular visitor to Baker University. At left he is participating in campus clean-up day in 2011.
Strong belief in education
Dr. Malicky’s tenure in higher education exemplified the profound impact of a strong belief in the transformative power of education. His journey serves as a testament to the enduring values of service, integrity, and excellence. Baker University honors his remarkable legacy by celebrating a leader whose work united people and left a lasting impact on so many. His contributions will continue to inspire future generations.
Dr. Neal Malicky is survived by his sisters Georgann and Joyce; sons Michael (Heather) and Eric (Kathy); grandchildren Peter, Chris (Meredith), Hannah, James (Lisa), George, and Caroline; great-grandchildren Natalie and Zachary; and companion Margaret Brooks-Terry. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margi, and son, David.
