Lessons from Brother Baldwin

As he prepares to leave BYU–Hawaii, Professor Cody Baldwin says he knows the Lord will always guide this university

Cody Baldwin, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Business & Government, is leaving after working five years at BYU–Hawaii to be the director for the master’s in business analytics program at the University of Wisconsin. His students shared how wonderful of a professor he was and what they have learned from him.

Baldwin said, “I am sad to leave this special place, but I am also excited for my new opportunity.” During his time at BYUH, he said he has been impressed with students. “I was learning from them, just like they were learning from me. I know the Lord has great things in store for each of them. They will play an important role in spreading the gospel to every corner of the earth.”

Baldwin taught business classes, including BUSM 180, 230, 361, 391, 410 and 461. “My small shoes won’t be tough to fill. Teachers who are much better than me will come,” Baldwin said. “I know that the Lord will always guide this university.”

Maralmaa Chinbold, a junior from Mongolia majoring in finance, said she took five classes from Baldwin. “I truly believe he is the best professor in the business department. His classes are applicable directly to the work field. He never makes students get stressed by being too stingy on his grades. I’m sad he is leaving.”

Tyson Hunter, a senior from California majoring in finance, shared, “He is a great teacher” who combines fun and hard work to learn. “He always tries new things when he teaches and knows how to break down complicated things into simple digestible principles.”

Suvd-Erdene Boldbaatar, a senior from Mongolia majoring in human resources, said, “He is an amazing man and really cares about his students. He understands the demanded skills in the work field and teaches it in a very simple way. I love his teaching methods.”

Baldwin shared his favorite part of teaching at BYUH is receiving emails from students telling him they got a job because of something they learned in his class. “These emails bring me a lot of joy,” he said.

Zolbayar Erdenechimeg, a senior from Mongolia majoring in business management, said, “His classes are very pragmatic. He knows what we have to learn in order to be good professionals in the job market and prepare us well. His lessons really do stay with me. I was planning to take two more classes, but sadly he is leaving.”

Cody Baldwin surrounded by his students at BYUH.

Kim Comenta, a senior from the Philippines majoring in human resources, said unforgettable lessons he learned from Baldwin are managing his finances and investing in the future. “He told us that it is something he wishes he learned while in high school or college. I appreciate it because he is teaching us practical skills that he knows will benefit his students. I love Brother Baldwin.”

Tsetsgee Enkhbold, a sophomore from Mongolia majoring in human resources and psychology, shared, “He knows what he is doing and what he wants us to learn. His lessons are far beyond just a grade. They are practical, useful and stay with me forever.”

Baldwin said he loves teaching and loves business analytics, “so if I get to continue doing those things, fantastic.”

Tulga Enkhbold, a senior from Mongolia majoring in accounting, said, “He is a brilliant man who knows a lot about modern business technology. His classes and presentations are very interesting. He cares for each student and always tries to help them. He is a gifted and very inspiring teacher yet a very humble man.”

Baldwin said students should not get discouraged if they don’t know exactly what they want to be in the future. “Sometimes it takes time to figure it out, and sometimes you have to work a couple jobs before you figure that out. The most important thing is that you study hard, talk with those you trust, such as family, faculty, etc., and pray to seek the Lord’s direction. He is there to help.”

He shared he married his wife, Maley Baldwin, in the Washington D.C. Temple. He said about his wife, “She is beautiful, kind, a great mother and wife, and a wonderful example for me. I don’t know how I got so lucky.” Together they have three children: 8-year-old Mae, 5-year-old Isabelle and 2-yearold Jackson.

After the Fall 2020 Semester, Baldwin said they will be moving to Wisconsin where Baldwin will begin teaching at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. “As a family, we spent time praying about the opportunity, and we know it’s the right thing for us,” he commented.

Baldwin said reading the Book of Mormon changed his life, and “it continues to provide me so much direction and peace.” He said his father’s ancestors were pioneers, and his fourth-great-grandfather, Caleb Baldwin, was in Liberty Jail with Joseph Smith.

He shared he has the best parents anyone could ask for. His father is a rocket scientist and “one of the smartest people I know,” Baldwin said. “But more importantly, he’s a faithful priesthood holder.” His mother stayed home and cared for her children, Baldwin said. “She is the kindest person I know. They both would do anything for anyone.”

Before coming to BYUH, Baldwin was working at the Hewlett-Packard Company where he managed analytics projects. Baldwin got his undergraduate degree in information systems and operations management from George Mason University and his MBA at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a focus in information technology management.

Cody Baldwin and his wife, Maley Baldwin, along with their three children: Mae, Isabelle and Jackson. Photos provided by Cody Baldwin.

Wendy Lau, an alumna and the BYU–Hawaii Food Services supervisor, said she strives to deliver quality food and service to the BYUH ohana and shared her 39-year journey towards her bachelor’s degree. Her coworkers describe her as a positive, polite and understanding person.

Lau shared she loves her job in every way, from upper management to their front-line workers. “It is the team who feeds hundreds of students, faculty, staff and the community members every day,” she commented.

She said her team helps BYUH to fulfill its mission, “Enter to learn, go forth to serve,” through their own mission, “Enter to dine, go forth full.” She said, “I am a foodie and enjoy food from growing, preparing, all the way to delivering and eating. I have a passion for food and love gardening, so ‘farm to table’ is natural for me.”

Lau said she believes in positive leadership and effective team style management. Her goals as a supervisor for Food Services are to serve quality food and deliver quality service and care, she shared. “I strive every day to do my best to meet these goals.

“Of course, as a food service business, our customers are our No. 1 priority,” Lau explained. “Yet, we prioritize our student employees and do our best to practice positive leadership principles, build effective teamwork and to have an organized and safe work environment.”

Tselmuun Dashdorj, a freshman from Mongolia majoring in biology, said of Lau, “She is a very polite and understanding person. I used to work with her, and I love to see her treating our customers very nicely.

“She always understood and cared for me when something came up in my personal life,” Dashdorj added. “One time, I saw her playing basketball with young students, and I was impressed because I didn’t know she was good at playing basketball.”

Lau is an alumna who graduated in 2013 and majored in hospitality and tourism management. She said it took 39 years for her to finish her degree, starting as a freshman in 1974, the same year the Church College of Hawaii became Brigham Young University–Hawaii.

At the end of 1976, Lau got married and started building her family. She married Lawrence Lau, whom she met as a fellow student and coworker at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Together they have four sons who are all graduates of BYUH.

She said her sons are all married and all of their wives are BYUH alumnas as well. Today, Lau and her husband have 10 grandchildren.

In 1985, Lau started a flower shop business. “It was too difficult financially and logistically to finish school with four sons, so I took classes intermittently and finally got my bachelor of science in 2013,” Lau shared. “Walking in Spring 2013 as a graduate was a highlight in my life and an achievement I always wanted.”

Lau said she worked as a cook for seven years for BYUH Food Services and became a supervisor in 2018. Prior to that, she said she worked at the Polynesian Cultural Center Food Service Department for five years. She added her husband is also a retiree of BYUH after 35 years of service as the coordinator of the BYUH TV Studio. “It was a long and rewarding career,” she said.

Maheono Ly, a senior from Tahiti majoring in finance, said of Lau, “We used to work together at the cafeteria. ... I appreciate and respect her. She is someone who always tries to stay positive when facing challenges. She even came to my wedding.”

Lau said she is also an experienced flower designer. She used to own a flower shop, Rainbow, Balloons & Flowers, at the Laie Shopping Center. She managed and operated it for more than 20 years.

Closing the flower shop, Lau said, was the greatest challenge of her life. The shop, she explained, started in her garage and then moved to the Laie Shopping Center. Rainbow, Balloons & Flowers, she said, served the North Shore community for years.

Lau said the shop’s motto was, “Send someone some happiness today.” Lau shared, “We were sending out aloha and happiness to our customers with leis, flowers and balloons on their special days, such as weddings, graduations and birthdays.”

Lau said the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001, was the cause of her shop having to close. She explained, “It was a difficult time and my business closed because of those tragic events. COVID-19 is even worse today.” However, she said she chose to move forward and found a new career in the food service business at the Center and BYUH.

“My life has been challenging yet rewarding. I have learned a lot from all my experiences,” she commented. “My treasure has been found in my journey of faith and testimony in the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Lau took classes intermittently until she earned her degree in 2013. Photo by Mark Tabbilos.