Messenger - Vol. 4, No. 1, Page 10 1994 William Baldt-Goldey-Beacom College The University of Delaware is one of the major influences in my life," says William Baldt, president of Goldey-Beacom College for the past 17 years. Baldt, who has had links with Delaware as a student, administrator and as a director of the Alumni Association, is included in the Alumni Wall of Fame. When he was an undergraduate in the '50s, the University was much smaller, and campus life was centered around studying, sports and social events, Baldt recalls. "That all changed when I returned in the '60s as assistant admissions director," he says. "That was a time of turmoil on campuses all over the country, including Delaware. Students were literally on the march across campus, demonstrating against the military, and they even occupied my office. Society itself had changed, and universities mirrored those changes. One lesson I learned from that experience was to keep the channels of communication open and to listen. "I am still a very good listener," says Baldt, who is known to Goldey-Beacom students for his accessibility. Baldt has affection and respect for the administrators with whom he worked. "Provost Carl Rees, Vice President John Hocutt and admissions director Edward Ott were great men and had tremendous influence on me, along with President John Perkins," Baldt says. "Perkins was...very focused on where the University was going and on his goals. He was a detail man-even checking the staff to make sure our shoes were shined," he recalls. Baldt served as dean of students at Brandywine College before heading to Goldey-Beacom in 1977. He has seen Goldey-Beacom grow physically, establish a business training center and a branch campus in Milford, Del. The student body also has become increasing international, he says. Of its 1,600 students, 103 are from outside the United States. "Our focus and mission are business education and this is what we do best. We offer 17 majors in business and get direction from our board of trustees who represent many area corporations and businesses. Today's employees need strong skills, and more is required of them than in the past. One of our current projects is establishing an evening MBA program, and we are moving ahead to find qualified faculty to teach in this area," Baldt says.