by Jordan Foley, Student Public Relations Writer
When Lucy Malmberg boarded a plane in Germany as a newborn, hidden in a blanket-covered box, her parents were risking everything to give her a better life. That courageous act would one day blossom into a legacy of generosity — one now shaping the next generation of Christian pharmacists.
$1 Million Gift Fuels Cedarville University Pharmacy Program
Malmberg, a nationally recognized pharmacist and former co-founder of Wedgewood Pharmacy in Swedesboro, New Jersey, has invested in Cedarville University’s future pharmacists through a $1 million gift from the George and Lucy Malmberg Foundation, established in 2023.
Cedarville Pharmacy Students Meet Generous Benefactor
In October 2025, Malmberg and her sister, Gloria Bartow, visited Cedarville University for the first time and met with students from the school of pharmacy. These students, many of whom have benefited directly from the foundation’s scholarship, shared stories of how Malmberg’s generosity made their pharmacy education possible.
“Seeing tears in nearly every interaction between the students and Lucy was deeply moving,” said Dr. Jeffery Bates, dean of the school of pharmacy. “One student explained that Lucy’s financial support helped not only him but also his school-age children, who saw how God faithfully provided for their family.”
Legacy of Faith and Survival Inspires Generational Impact
Malmberg’s compassion and faith were shaped by her parents, who survived forced labor camps in Germany during World War II. There they met, married and became Christians. In 1949, as they prepared to immigrate to the United States, they learned they were expecting Lucy. Fearing authorities would deny their travel plans if her birth was known, they bravely hid their newborn daughter in a blanket-covered box as they boarded a plane.
“God’s hand has always been on my life since the moment I was born,” said Malmberg. “My story is proof that God leads you through certain situations to prepare you for your purpose.”
Wedgewood Pharmacy Founder Supports Christian Education
Malmberg’s love for pharmacy began early and deepened when she met her late husband, George, at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. Married in 1974, the couple founded Wedgewood Pharmacy in 1981. Under their leadership, the business grew into the nation’s largest specialized veterinary compounding pharmacy, allowing them to support many causes — especially those advancing Christian pharmacists.
That passion grew when Malmberg met Bates at the Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International conference in 2023. Their shared faith and vision led to a phone call that would shape the Cedarville University School of Pharmacy: Malmberg wanted to give $1 million to help recruit top students.
“God placed a longing on my heart to use the gifts He has given me to uplift a Christ-centered education,” she said. “As I began researching, I fell in love with Cedarville University — even before seeing it in person. Its mission, commitment to the authority of Christ and focus on transforming lives through community and the Word of God deeply resonated with me.”
Christian Scholarships Empower Future Healthcare Leaders
Malmberg’s gift is enhancing the student experience by helping Cedarville attract strong future pharmacists, fund mission trips, support students facing hardships and expand professional opportunities.
“Every student I spoke with began by expressing their deep love for Jesus Christ and their gratitude for Him as their Savior,” Malmberg said. “As they shared their stories, it became clear how profoundly the scholarship impacted them — not only financially but spiritually. I always tell them, ‘Don’t thank me; thank God. He is the one who has provided the resources that make these opportunities possible.’”
Malmberg’s journey — from a newborn in a box to a leader in pharmacy — shows how a life of faith shaped by courage and sacrifice, can leave a legacy. Her commitment to Cedarville is equipping future health care professionals to carry the hope of the gospel to a world in need.
About Cedarville University
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.
