Adept in academic administration, Linda Irene Showalter Balthaser has always loved education. She was a first-generation college student and jumped at the opportunity to continue to postgraduate education. In 1961, she graduated magna cum laude from the University of Indianapolis, receiving a Bachelor of Science. In 1962, she went on to receive a Master of Science from Indiana University. After receiving her degrees, Mrs. Balthaser began her career as a business education teacher at Southport High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. From 1963 to 1966, she served as a secretary and administrative secretary to the Office of the President at Indiana University Bloomington. For 16 years from 1970 to 1986, she served as assistant to the dean of Arts and Letters at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (now Purdue University Fort Wayne). The next year, she was briefly appointed assistant dean of Arts and Letters at the university before becoming assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for 15 years. Today, Mrs. Balthaser continues her involvement with Purdue University Fort Wayne, holding the title of assistant dean emerita.
In addition to her primary appointments in education administration, Mrs. Balthaser has served in several other capacities in the field. She was a member of the Indiana committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, she served as founding co-director of the weekend college of Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (now Purdue University Fort Wayne), and she served on the board of directors of the Associated Churches of Fort Wayne and Allen County. Civically, Mrs. Balthaser has been active with Plymouth Congregational Church of Fort Wayne (United Church of Christ) as a trustee, executive council member and moderator.
Contact Mrs. Balthaser:
