Donald D. Schmeltekopf

Donald D. Schmeltekopf, B.A. ’62, Ph.D., passed away on July 30.

A 1962 Baylor graduate, Schmeltekopf returned to his alma mater as vice provost in 1990 and then was named provost and vice president for academic affairs in 1991. In 2003, he was named provost emeritus. His commitment to the idea that faith and learning are not mutually exclusive found perhaps its greatest expression through his work in developing Baylor 2012, the University’s 10-year vision adopted in 2001.

As provost and vice president for academic affairs, Schmeltekopf will be remembered for creating four of the University’s 12 academic divisions — George W. Truett Theological Seminary, the School of Engineering and Computer Science, the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work and the Honors College — as well as the Institute for Faith and Learning (IFL). He was instrumental in adding Ph.D. programs in biology, church-state studies, sociology, philosophy and mathematics and established the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core, as well as the University Scholars and Distinguished Professors programs.

Following his administrative retirement, he served as a tenured professor of philosophy until he formally retired in 2014. In 2003, he accepted a two-year appointment as The Hazel and Harry Chavanne Professor of Christian Ethics in Business at the Hankamer School of Business. In 2006, he was named director of the Center for Ministry Effectiveness and Educational Leadership at Baylor. He was honored with the Charles D. Johnson Outstanding Educator Award in 2016 for his contributions to Christian higher education.

In 2021, he and his wife, Judy Carlisle Schmeltekopf, A.B.C. ’94, established The Donald and Judy Schmeltekopf Endowed Scholarship in the Honors College and The Donald and Judy Schmeltekopf Endowed Lectureship in Ethics and Culture.

Schmeltekopf earned a Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and his Ph.D. from Drew University. He also did postdoctoral study at Princeton University. Prior to joining the Baylor administration, he served as vice president for academic affairs, dean of the faculty and provost of Mars Hill College in North Carolina. He also served as a program officer for the National Endowment for the Humanities and on the philosophy faculty at Union College in New Jersey.

He was married to his beloved Judy for 63 years. Together, they built a life centered on faith, family and service. Schmeltekopf was an active member of Christ Church Waco, where his faith continued to guide his life and relationships. In retirement, the DaySpring Baptist men’s Bible study was the joy of his week. His legacy is one of academic leadership, wisdom and unwavering devotion to Christ.