Famed globetrotting chef, Anthony Bourdain, once said, “There’s no place on Earth even remotely like New Orleans. Don’t even try to compare it to anywhere else.” Any city that could evoke such conviction from someone who has been to the farthest reaches of this world, undoubtedly earns its place in the pantheon of all-time greats. This cultural melting pot is famed for unique twists on music, art, food, and lifestyle. So, it comes as no surprise that a young man from Northeast, Ohio would find himself so enamored with the city of New Orleans that he engrained himself within the very fabric of this southern oasis.
For Dr. Dave Mulnick, Baldwin Wallace ’70, it was love of a New Orleans native that first brought him to the city. Mulnick and his wife, Syd, have lived in the city for over 40 years. The couple have three children: Rob, Piper, and Erin, and five grandchildren: Ricky, Virginia, Brandon, Alyssa, and Jaxon. To say that Mulnick has embedded himself within the community in New Orleans would be a drastic understatement. He serves as a member of several boards and educational institutions, most notably the past President of Gates of Prayer, a Reform Jewish Congregation. Outside of volunteer work, Mulnick spent 40 years in private practice and is now the Director of Audiology and Assistive Technology for the ReNEW School System. His work in the field of audiology and speech reading can be seen across countless lectures, consultation, and scientific papers. While family, work, and volunteering might seem like a full plate to some, Mulnick has another deep seeded passion, and it’s rooted in one of the city’s oldest traditions. Stemming from an initial fascination with Carnival upon moving to the city, Mulnick is the current captain of one of the longest running Mardi Gras Krewes—now over 70 years old. Not only is he the leader of his own Krewe, but he also helps with various others, writing and narrating Carnival Bal masques and parades. This passion for the Carnival and Mardi Gras traditions have been parlayed into extensive lectures on the subjects, published articles and papers, numerous appearances on radio, and featurettes on several national and international television documentaries and films on Mardi Gras.
