Alumni Spotlight: Cody Schulte '14
When Cody Schulte was at Widener, he didn’t foresee himself following his father’s path into the masonry industry. But today, the 2014 civil engineering graduate now serves as interim president of Ron Schulte Masonry, Inc., one of the leading masonry contractors in the Baltimore area.
“I started working with [my dad] at 26 when he had seven employees. Now, we hit our five-year goal in one year last year,” said Schulte. “Masonry has been around since before the pyramids. It’s always been there and it will always be there. It’s changed, but at the end of the day it’s essential for a safe building.”
Schulte found his home at Widener in the School of Engineering and as part of Widener’s men’s soccer team.
Having played soccer his whole life, Schulte was excited to play at the collegiate level. He stepped into the role of student leader naturally, serving as male chair for the student athlete advisory committee and representing Widener on the Middle Atlantic Conference as an executive board member.
“[My time at Widener] helped build the foundation for my future and install leadership qualities without me even knowing at the time,” he said.
While dedicating time to soccer, Schulte found himself looking for guidance academically. He found what he needed from Professor Emerita Vicki Brown and former faculty member Stephanie Walkup.
“I sat in Dr. Brown’s office along with my advisor, Professor Walkup. They told me I would do great things, but they just needed to find a way to help me graduate,” said Schulte.
He finds himself harkening back to that conversation even now in times of stress or uncertainty.
“What they didn’t know was that message meant the world to me. The statement showed how much they cared for me, and it gave me the confidence to know that I could do this. At times when I am stressed this is the memory I think about. They believed in me then, and it led to the accomplishment of graduating,” he said.
Today, Schulte channels that same sense of mentorship and encouragement into his work with current students and young professionals. He is a member of the Generation Next Committee of the Masonry Contractors Association of America where he works to help create opportunities for future mason trade workers and management professionals in the industry.
His commitment to growing the masonry field extends to how he gives back to Widener as well. Schulte’s alumni engagement has evolved from attending soccer games and staying connected with coaches to playing an active role in shaping academic and career opportunities in the School of Engineering.
He hopes to contribute to students’ education in the masonry field by sharing his expertise and bringing real-world learning into the classroom through supporting initiatives like capstone projects, masonry design discussions and hands-on lab experiences.
“As a business owner, being involved can help the graduates hit the job market with a well-respected degree that is prepared for the industry. We are the industry experts. We can help shape the curriculum needed to be ahead of the curve,” he said.
His advice to other alumni is simple – get involved as a way not only to serve as a mentor for current students, but to network and discover new opportunities.
“Widener is a small school. The professors care and can have a large presence with you over your tenure. The alumni base is small but larger than you think. If you commit yourself, results will occur. Bonds will be built with peers, professors, alumni,” Schulte said. “The outcome opens more doors for you, and doors create opportunity.”
