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Karen Melton is a dedicated alumna, volunteer, donor, and advocate of Baldwin Wallace University. Right from high school, Karen worked for Kirkwood Industries for 6 years. Then, after some time traveling out west, she began a career as an accounting assistant at Kaufman Container. Karen knew she had the potential to continue to advance within the company, but needed the degree to get her to the next level. After spending two quarters at Tri-C, Karen realized the commitment to pursuing a degree would be much more than expected, she decided to transfer to BW after hearing great things about the University, and because it was so close to home.
She and her younger sister, Tricia Melton '87, attended BW around the same time and realized if they planned their class schedules right, they could graduate at the same time. “To have my parents, grandmother, and siblings in the audience as we each walked across the stage – the oldest child being the first to graduate from college and the youngest child being the second one – and the look on my parent's faces is something I will never forget.”
Karen, left, pictured with her sister, Tricia Melton '87
Karen returned to BW a few years later to earn her MBA, graduating in 1990. She had a tremendous mentor who encouraged her to continue to reach for what she wanted. Since then, Karen has continued to work her way up through Kaufman Container and is now the CFO and VP of Human Resources.
While attending BW, Karen received notices about the BW Women’s Club Scholarships and would always return the application, since her company was paying for her tuition and she did not need the help. However, the mission of the BW Women’s Club was not lost on her. “The good they were doing for other women who were struggling to pay for their educations stuck with me.” After graduation, she was asked to join and has been involved since 1987.
Karen was an integral part in building upon the 97-year legacy of the BW Women’s Club to establish Women for BW. Serving as one of our first Chairwomen, Karen has led us through much transition and growth, all while weaving the legacy of the BW Women’s Club into the work we do for women at BW today. “The best part has been seeing how the legacy of all the women involved in BW Women’s Club before me – Dorothy McKelvey, Eloise Tressel, Elizabeth Snodgrass, Louise Kiefer – will be forever remembered, and the groundwork laid by all of those very special women will continue in Women for BW.”
In 2014, Karen was awarded a BW Alumni Merit Award for her outstanding service and accomplishments. In addition to this distinguished award, Karen just finished her two-year term as a Chairwoman for Women for BW, serving as one of our inaugural leaders. We cannot thank her enough for the time, talent and treasure she has invested into making this group a place for BW alumnae and women in the community to join together and be a part of something bigger than themselves.
Thank you, Karen!
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