Robert C. Helmer


Robert C. Helmer began his tenure as the ninth president of Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio on July 1, 2012. He serves as the first president of Baldwin Wallace University after Baldwin–Wallace College became a university in 2012. Helmer became president after Richard Durst who served since 2006.

Childhood, education, and family

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and The Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium, Dr. Helmer received his Ph.D. from Marquette University and his J.D. from the University of Toledo. His scholarly interests are in early Christian origins and apocalyptic literature. He and his wife, Linda, have two daughters, Clare and Abbie, and live in the President’s House on the Baldwin Wallace University campus with their two dogs Pippi and Daisy.

Career

Helmer has served as president and faculty member at Lourdes University in Sylvania, Ohio, from 2003-2012. Helmer started at Lourdes in 1996 as a faculty member and was appointed Vice President for Academic Affairs in 2001. Prior to Lourdes in 1996, Helmer was a Teaching Fellow and Research Assistant at Marquette University from 1991 to 1996. As well, an adjunct professor at Indiana University from 1990 to 1991 and Ancilla College from 1987 to 1989.
Dr. Helmer has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Sylvania Chamber of Commerce, Flower Hospital, United Way of Greater Toledo, the Toledo Symphony, and Imagination Station.