Mallet, who serves on Duquesne's Board of Directors, will receive his honorary doctorate during the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business' ceremony on Friday, Dec. 20, at 11 a.m. in the Duquesne Student Union Ballroom.
"It's fitting that Duquesne University bestow an honorary degree on Bob Mallet during this special ceremony," said President Ken Gormley. "Bob has helped to transform the Business School for a new era as a tribute to his dad's legacy. In doing so, Bob has made a positive and profound contribution on many levels."
Mallet supports the School of Business and its students by engaging regularly with students in classes, presentations and competitions. Earlier this year, he funded the Duquesne New Venture Challenge, a competition which inspires entrepreneurs to develop and execute their business models. Additionally, he created the School of Business' Louis D. Mallet Entrepreneurship Zone as well as Bob's Launch Pad, a maker space that provides a hands-on area for students to develop and prototype products.
"Bob is a deep thinker and his insights, suggestions and humility are appreciated and always welcome," says Dr. Dean McFarlin, dean of the School of Business. "I can't thank Bob enough, nor can I imagine where we would be without Bob's engagement, help and support."
Mallet and Company was a market-leading North American provider of baking release agents that offered innovative products and capabilities to the food industry. Bob followed in his father's footsteps and served as president and CEO of Mallet and Company for nearly 30 years. Mallet and Company was acquired by Vantage global natural chemistry company in 2016.
Bob's father Louis Mallet graduated from Duquesne in 1940 with a degree in economics after nine years of tireless work. Louis' family was unable to afford the lump sum of tuition, so Duquesne worked out an informal tuition plan to help him pay for school. Louis worked hard to complete his degree, attending classes in the morning, selling yeast to bakeries in the afternoon, and studying in the evening.
He also launched Home Kitchen Company out of his mother's kitchen, developing innovative custom oil blends for the baking industry. Because of his entrepreneurial spirit, persistence and desire to succeed, the company-later renamed Mallet and Company-grew to become an international success.
"Duquesne took a chance on my dad," says Mallet. "That's why I give to and volunteer in the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business. It has become one of the most rewarding experiences of my life."
Duquesne University
Founded in 1878, Duquesne is consistently ranked among the nation's top Catholic universities
for its award-winning faculty and horizon-expanding education. A campus of nearly
8,200 graduate and undergraduate students, Duquesne prepares students by having them
work alongside faculty to discover and reach their goals. The University's academic
programs, community service and commitment to equity and opportunity in the Pittsburgh
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