Baker University President's Report Honor Roll of Donors

January 1, 2016 — December 31, 2016

Baker UniversityPresident’s Report

Honor Roll of Donors

Gratitude

Dear friends,

Hardly a day goes by that I’m not reminded of the significance of this remarkable university. Today, my reflection was spurred by flipping open the Kansas City Business Journal and reading about the U.S. Department of Education’s most recent study, which revealed that Baker University graduates earn higher average salaries 10 years after graduation than their peers from any other university in the state. In fact, Baker grads outearn University of Kansas graduates by $4,400 per year. It’s not every day that a university our size can compare outcomes with some of the research powerhouses, and as alumni and friends, you should be proud of this hard-earned distinction, which we’ve maintained for two consecutive years.

Of course, our purpose as a university runs much deeper than alumni salaries; Baker University is known as an exceptional teaching institution, one rooted in liberal arts. As the entire world works to adapt to accelerated changes in technology, employers need versatile and compassionate problem solvers. When I hug students on stage at commencement, that’s who I see: confident, well-equipped critical thinkers who are motivated to change the world.

I see that core philosophy supported by the data that hits my inbox at the end of each year: top nursing licensure pass rates; countless state, regional, and even national awards for teaching and leadership; an 87 percent acceptance rate into medical school. These outcomes, coupled with an exceptional education and sense of community that make up the Baker University experience, will keep us competitive for the next 159 years.

My vision for Baker is not only to sustain that excellence, but also to enhance it. I want to compete. I want corporate partners, community thought leaders, and faculty from other regional universities to know Baker by name—to know the quality with which we’ve operated since our founding in 1858 as the first university in Kansas. Baker builds leaders in business, education, and healthcare. And with your generosity, together, we will build leaders in whatever comes next.

On the following pages, you’ll read stories about why our donors give and why our students are grateful. I want to personally thank each and every one of you featured in the Honor Roll for your support of this wonderful university. We couldn’t do it without you.

Sincerely,

Dr. Lynne MurrayUniversity President

Mr. Spencer Breithaupt, ’83MWI Animal HealthBoise, Idaho

Ms. Emmalie Gessner Cowherd, ’61Cowherd Farms, Carroll County BancsharesCarrolton, Missouri

The Rev. Dr. Ira DeSpain, ’70Retired, Minister to Baker UniversityOlathe, Kansas

Mr. Steve Doyal Hallmark Cards, Inc.Kansas City, Missouri

Mr. Anton Eisel, ’66Commerce BancsharesSt. Louis, Missouri

Ms. Ann Fish, ’99Chadwick’s LLC, Fish Tech LLCKansas City, Missouri

Mr. Hoot Gibson, ’73Midwest Builders’ CasualtyKansas City, Missouri

Mr. Scott Grauer, ’86Wealth ManagementBOK Financial, Inc.Tulsa, Oklahoma

Mrs. Tammeria K. Hawks, ’72Retired, Wells Fargo Financial, Inc.Frisco, Texas

Mr. Richard Howell, ’74Provenance PropertiesOverland Park, Kansas

Mr. Skip Kalb, ’73Burlington Northern Santa FeRailway Co.Fort Worth, Texas

Mr. Brian KingKansas State BankLeawood, Kansas

Mr. Gordon E. Lansford, III, ’93J.E. Dunn Construction Co.Kansas City, Missouri

The Rev. Dr. Kenneth Lutgen, Jr.KRL MinistriesKansas City, Missouri

Mr. Mike McCarthy, ’87Green Bay PackersGreen Bay, Wisconsin

Mr. Gene MeyerLawrence Memorial HospitalLawrence, Kansas

Ms. Melissa NessConnections Unlimited, Inc.Topeka, Kansas

Mrs. Margie PearsonCivic LeaderBaldwin City, Kansas, and Gloucester, Massachusetts

The Rev. Dr. Nanette RobertsGrace United Methodist ChurchOlathe, Kansas

Francois Sauer, M.D.Trans Am GroupLeawood, Kansas

Mr. Brandon Scarborough, ’02Cobbs Allen Overland Park, Kansas

Mr. Michael SeitzKeystone Futures LLCOverland Park, Kansas

Scott Siegman ValuGuard Solutions LLCLeawood, Kansas

Mr. Gary Sollars, ’71Hilb, Rogal and HobbsLawrence, Kansas

Ms. Susanne Richardson Teel, ’69Civic LeaderLeawood, Kansas

University Board of Trustees Dr. Lynne Murray, University President

MissionBaker University is committed to assuring student learning, and developing confident, competent and responsible contributors to society.

HistoryIn 1858 a group of Methodist ministers founded Baker University in an attempt to bring education to the settlers’ rough prairie existence. Named for Osmon Cleander Baker, a distinguished scholar and bishop of what is now the United Methodist Church, the school holds the honor of being the first four-year university in Kansas.

Since then Baker has evolved into a comprehensive university with four schools — the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Professional and Graduate Studies, School of Nursing, and School of Education — serving nearly 3,500 students at campuses in Kansas and Missouri and online across the country.

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When I started looking at universities, Baker was at the top

of my list. Everything about my visit and the experience

was perfect, including the generous scholarships awarded

to me. But through a couple of unforeseen circumstances,

I ended up declining the awards and was on the brink

of making a different collegiate decision. But just weeks before the start of fall

classes, I was reminded by someone very close to me that Baker was my dream

school. I literally came begging to the Business Office, asking for whatever help

they could give me.

Through the process, everyone who worked at Baker was so helpful and genu-

inely made my dreams come true. Just two days before I was supposed to move

in, I learned that my financial aid had come through and I was going to be a

Baker Wildcat. The whole experience, though a nightmare, really showed me that

this place is something special. I am forever grateful for the scholarships awarded

to me, and humbled by the love and support I was shown by a group of people

who hardly knew me. I even brought everyone dessert the day they told me I was

going to be able to study here, a small token of the appreciation I feel every day.

And now, a semester later, I tell everyone I know that Baker is the place I was

meant to be. Everything I have experienced has exceeded all my expectations. If

it wasn’t for the support of a few people, I would never have been able to find

my passion for nursing and prepare myself for what is going to be a fruitful and

exciting career.

by Mary Urfer, class of 2020

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When I stepped foot on Baker’s campus, it was obvious that

I was in an environment where people care. In a sea of

strangers, I was immediately welcomed and felt at home.

Students held open doors for me, professors greeted me as

they passed by, and the campus just felt so inviting. Initial-

ly, my visit to Baker was for a band scholarship competition day. But in con-

versation with my admissions counselor, I mentioned my interest and talent for

football and by the end of my visit, he had arranged for a meeting with the head

coach. When I walked into Coach Mike Grossner’s office, there was a scholarship

offer on the table, waiting only for my signature.

That compassion I felt in my visit has extended over into my everyday expe-

rience at Baker. It all started with the fact that Coach Grossner was able to give

me a scholarship at the drop of a pen. Since then, I have been reminded over

and over again that everyone on this campus cares about one another. It’s hard to

explain unless you’ve been at Baker, but it’s just different here. Success is revered,

and champions are built here.

After graduation, I want to be a general manager of an NFL team, a big dream

that requires a lot of work and dedication. But because of my opportunity to

study at Baker, I feel like it’s within my reach. I have amazing leaders to look up

to, both on the field and in the classroom, and the atmosphere surrounding the

football team this year has only excited me further. Everything that has happened

during my first semester at Baker University has proven to me, time and time

again, that I made the right decision when I signed that scholarship in Coach

Grossner’s office. And none of it would have been possible without the generous

help of the Baker family.

by Kyle Carpenter, class of 2020

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As a first-generation Nigerian American, growing up in the

United States school system was a new sort of challenge

for me. My parents’ educational experience didn’t mirror

mine, and as I prepared for college, I went in blind without

much guidance from my family. So when the Baker family

stepped up to help me through the recruiting and admissions process and I

was offered a scholarship to Baker, I was relieved that, not only was I going to

be able to start down an exciting new path, but I also would be able to do it

without being weighed down by financial stress.

When I was a freshman on campus, it felt like there was a great deal of just

“playing it by ear.” I didn’t know exactly what I was doing, but I was lucky

enough to meet an abundance of mentors along the way. My advisors, coaches,

and even my peers have been an amazing source of both support and guid-

ance while I’ve been on campus. There’s a lot of pressure being the first to do

anything, but there’s also a beautiful feeling of being able to make that claim.

I thank these mentors for pushing, teaching, and guiding me when I needed it

the most.

Being on a cultural diversity scholarship has offered me the support and

incentive to attend college and is just another way that Baker has shaped who

I am. I believe that I’ve grown up through Baker. We’re able to genuinely get

to know our professors and administrators and have comfortable conversations

that spur our growth and learning, and I feel confident and prepared as I start

planning for medical school next year. I truly thank all the people, from my

coaches to the financial aid staff, who have supported me through this journey

and have guided me to be successful.

by Michael Igwe, class of 2017

A year in Gifts:

The list reflects gifts and pledge payments made from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2016. Not represented in this list are the full multiyear pledges acquired by the university during this time frame. The list is long and omissions and errors are possible. For corrections or if your name appears other than your preference, contact Kathy McCrary, University Advancement, PO Box 65, Baldwin City, KS 66006-0065, 800.726.1554. [email protected].

Honor Roll of Donors2016

Two-thousand and sixteen was a banner year for

Baker University fundraising. Today, with a few

months remaining in the fiscal year, we are on

pace to exceed our Baker Fund goals and bring

in more than 100 new donors under 30. If these

rising donors can come close to matching what the generous

individuals on the following pages have done, Baker will

be in good hands for a very long time. Friends, we thank

you for the high bar you’ve set. Your gifts directly affect the

student experience—from scholarship dollars to faculty

excellence to future capital building projects and curricular

development. Our students see firsthand the benefits of your

generosity, and as you have read, they are eternally grateful.

Last fall, the Sunderland

Foundation awarded Bak-

er University a $300,000

grant to fund the renova-

tion of Rice Auditorium,

Baker’s performing arts

center. The gift will fund

upgrades to the stage, a

reconfiguration of the

seating to accommodate a variety of performances, and

enhancements to the lobby. We are blessed that Kent and

Charlie Sunderland, longtime friends and former trustees of

Baker University, decided to bestow the largest foundation

gift in our history to support Baker’s arts, music, and theatre

students. When the space is remodeled, we invite each and

every one of you to come back and catch one of our out-

standing student performances.

Before the close of the year,

the university received an

anonymous matching gift of

$1 million. We are working

to secure funds to meet the

match, and when the first

round of fundraising reaches

$2 million, the donor has

requested the fund establish

an endowed professorship

in the business department.

This department boasts several professors who have received

Baker’s top teaching designation, the Jennie Howell Kopke

and Verda R. Kopke Award for Distinguished Teaching.

Their results are proven: last year’s business majors scored in

the 96th percentile on the ETS exam, which measures real-

world preparedness against seniors from other universities

across the country.

Dr. Lowell Jacobsen, Elizabeth Harvey Rhodes Professor of International Business.

Set production in full swing in Rice.

Anonymous Donor

Anonymous DonorThe Sunderland Foundation

Mr. Mark and Mrs. Joyce Schaffer FlemingThe Goppert FoundationKansas East Conference, UMC

Dr. Jim LeitnakerDonald and Charlotte ParkerMary Jane Zelsman Estate

Baldwin State Bank

Mr. Bill and Mrs. Charlene Bunten

Mr. Duane and Mrs. Lynn Chanay

Commonwealth Foundation

ECMC Foundation

The GE Foundation

Kenneth and Virginia Gilbert Estate

Scott and Tammy Grauer

Mr. William R. and Mrs. Mary Ann Grubb

Helix Education

Mr. Robert and Mrs. Emily Honse

J.E. Dunn Construction Co.

Dave and Kelly Johns

Ken and Judy Johns

Steve and Becky Johns

Dr. I. King and Mrs. Linda Jordan

KPMG Foundation

Mr. Don Kukuk

Eleanor Ninas Little Trust

Mr. Donald and Mrs. Marty (Hardy) Mather

Mr. Cecil and Mrs. Carol Lee (Turk) Miller

Marjie and Jim Mordy

Murphy Charitable Trust

Mrs. Wendie Omer

Margaret L. Pearson

Ella Frances and Norma Brisley Phillips Scholarship

Mr. Mike and Mrs. Cathy Philpot

Mr. Walt W. and Mrs. Nancy Pinnell

Mr. Donald and Mrs. Cynthia Rogers

Mr. Richard C. Shaffer Jr. and Mrs. Betsy Schaffer

The Sherwin-Williams Company

Mr. George and Mrs. Janet Shore

Ms. Susanne Richardson Teel

Think Big, LLC

Mr. Fred and Mrs. Randi Wightman

Founder’s Circle $10,000 - $49,000

Trustee Circle $5,000 - $9,999

BlueCross and BlueShield of Kansas FoundationMr. Scott BrackenSpencer C. Duncan Make It Count FoundationDuran Pools & SpasGilbert A. and Martha Jane FergusonGene Fritzel Construction Co., Inc.

Mr. Hoot and Mrs. Kathleen GibsonPearl M. & Julia J. Harmon FoundationMr. Ross and Mrs. Christine HartleyMr. Troy L. HartmanMr. Larry E. and Mrs. Marcia HawkTammy Spiva Hawks and Dale Hawks

Dr. Kenneth and Mrs. Eleanor HeadDona J. (Shaw) Johnson, and Donald R. JohnsonMr. Skip E. and Mrs. Donna Rae KalbKansas Independent College FundSara KindlerNeal Malicky, PhD

Mr. Patric and Mrs. Andrea McConnDr. Tes MehringMrs. Liz MohermanDr. Lynne and Mr. Jeff MurrayMr. Gary and Mrs. Connie SollarsMr. Kip and Mrs. Kelly SprayBob and Kay Williams

Cornerstone Circle $50,000 - $99,999

Diamond Society Over $1,000,000 Sustaining Patron $100,000 - $499,999

Baker University

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G.C. Armstrong

Betty Barker Bashaw

Wilma Bigler

Elaine and Virgil Brady

Bill and Chuck Bunten

Tim Burkindine

David and Carol Butler

Sean Patrick Cavanaugh

Gene Chubb

Tom and Ann Duckett

Paul and Marilyn Duncan

Don and Carol Fletcher

Caryl Fullman

Hoot and Kathleen Gibson

Sherman and Virginia Gibson

William Gordon

Jared and Carol Grantham

John and Sharon Gutschenritter

Philip Hartley

Larry and Marcia Hawk

Robert and Claudia Hey

Gordon Hinde

Mary Hurrel

William and Deborah Iwig

Melba Reeves Johnston

Mira Kauffman

Gerald Keller

Charles Kopke

Robert and Arlene Kulp

Jim Leitnaker

Jeanne Fish Levy

David and Jackie Lorenzen

Neal Malicky

Gertrude Irene Gutschenritter Marsi

Martha Mather

Alan and Tricia Mauch

Sally Meador

Don and Ruth Ann Nutt

Martha Raybourn

Mark and Phyllis Rouch

Anita Schroeder

Richard Small

Linda Tuller

Calvin Upp

Jerry and Patti (Francisco) Weakley

President’s Club$1,000 - $4,999Aim 5 Foundation

Mr. Patrick and Mrs. Jen Alderdice

American Legion #228

American Senior Benefits

Mr. Richard D. and Mrs. Erika Anderson

Mr. Bob A. Andrews

Anonymous Donor

Arrowhead Do-It-Best Hardware & Rental

Edward H. and Nancy L. Barnes

Barton Solvents, Inc.

Mr. Frank Bisignano

Mr. Murray and Mrs. Diane (Wilson) Blackwelder

Gertrude Emilie Braun Trust

Mr. Spencer and Mrs. Joann Breithaupt

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Foundation

Mr. Scott and Mrs. Gennifer Bursik

Mrs. Jo Ann Butaud

Mr. Bryan Butell

Mr. Michael J. Cattaneo

Dess Caylor Trust

Mr. Mike and Mrs. Brenda Chumley

Dr. Cal and Mrs. Mary Jo Cink

Cintas Fire Protection

Mr. Eric and Mrs. Wendy Conaway

Mr. Robert V. and Mrs. Marlene Courtney

Vernell Courtney St. John

Mrs. Emmalie Cowherd

Crown Toyota-Scion

Mr. Roy and Mrs. Connie Deel

Ms. Ronda Deel

John Deere Foundation

Reverend Ira and Mrs. Barbara DeSpain

Dissinger/Reed Insurance Services, LLC

Mr. Jim Dick

Mr. H. Gene Dooley

Douglas County Community Foundation

Mr. Steve and Mrs. Cathy Doyal

Dr. Marilyn Duncan

Terry and Pat (Cassity) Dunnavant

Mr. Jerry E. Ewing (’65)

Mr. Richard Fenske

Mrs. Arlene Finney

Mrs. Kathy Ford

Mr. Darrell and Mrs. Laurie Franklin

Betsy and Grant Galyardt

Dr. Shantikumar K. and Mrs. Susan Gandhi

GBD International

Dr. Jared and Mrs. Carol Grantham

Mr. and Mrs. Greenwood

Linda Jefferson Greiner

Dr. John and Mrs. Sharon Gutschenritter

Dr. Andrea and Mr. Richard Hall

Hallmark Corporate Foundation

Richard and Meredith Hann

Mr. Laurence E. Hanna

Mrs. Dorothy Harder

Mr. James and Dr. Kathleen Harr

William Harris and Howard Haynes

Mr. Richard R. and Mrs. Patti Hartley

Dr. Donald L. and Mrs. Paula Hatcher

Larry and Marcia (Rossiter) Hawk

Alice and Mel Hawk

Mr. Eric and Mrs. Lisa Hays

Hays Companies

Dr. John Heaton Jr.

Mr. Tom A. and Mrs. Lee Hedrick

Ms. Nancy R. Hefner

David and Lana Rae Higgins

Mr. Charles and Mrs. Mary Ann Hill

Mr. David and Mrs. Pamela Hill

Ronald A. and Martha (Walker) Hoffman

Reverend Kevin and Mrs. Joni Hopkins

Richard and Shannon Howell

Mr. Ivan Huntoon Jr. and Mrs. Bonnie Huntoon

Mary (Hallman) Hurrel

INTRUST BANK

Mr. Gary L. Irick

Mr. Larry and Mrs. Mianne Irick

Mr. Bill and Mrs. Deborah Iwig

JDH Construction, LTD

Ms. Mary L. Jefferson

Mr. Philp and Mrs. Leah Johnson

Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation

The Kansas State Bank

KC Drive Away, INC

Mr. Jim H. Kean

Mr. Brian and Mrs. Barbara King

Mrs. Allison Kingsbury

Don Parker, 1955, Sigma Phi Epsilon, and Charlotte Parker, Honorary Alumna, 2015 Don Parker’s time as a student and 20 years of service on the Baker University Board of

Trustees have inspired his generosity to the university. He gives to support Baker’s current operations and to honor the friends and family who played a large role in his Baker experi-ence. Don established the Paula M. (Dick) Parker Endowed Memorial Scholarship in 2007,

to honor his first wife, who graduated in 1955 and passed away in 2007. The scholarship is awarded to elementary education majors at the College of Arts and Sciences. He also established the Charlotte Parker Endowed Honor Scholarship in Nursing as a surprise for Charlotte when she was named an Honorary Alumna in 2015. Don and Charlotte were married in 2010 after both lost their first spouses. “Receiving the award was a special Baker moment,” Charlotte said. “Later, I had first-

hand knowledge of the quality of care one receives from Baker nurses. In December, Don had two nurses who graduated from Baker seeing to his care at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. One gave me a hug and prayed with me as Don was being taken for some tests. These are the kind of people who come from the Baker nursing program and that is why I am proud to support this amazing program.” Of Don’s accomplishments as a member of the Board of Trustees, he is most proud that

the School of Nursing and School of Professional and Graduate Studies were both estab-lished during his term as Chair of the Board of Trustees. Don was named a Distinguished Alumnus in 1988 and is a retired executive of the GE Foundation and First Excess and Re-insurance Corporation. Over the years his gifts have been matched by both organizations.

Dr. Jared Grantham, 1958, Zeta Chi, and Carol (Gabbert) Grantham, 1958, Delta Delta DeltaDr. Jared Grantham’s fondest Baker University memory was when he took Carol Elaine

Gabbert to Homecoming in 1955. They were married in 1958. While Carol, a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, served as a home economics teacher, he pursued a career in medicine. Dr. Grantham, a world-renowned nephrologist, established both the University of Kansas Medical Center Kidney Institute and the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation, an international organization that supports patients around the world. During his time at Baker he was a leader in the Zeta Chi fraternity and a member of the Centennial Choir. Dr. Grantham passed away in January of 2017.As Dr. Grantham’s career blossomed, he and Carol never forgot the university that gave

him his start. He served on the Baker University Board of Trustees for decades and most recently provided guidance to Dr. Lynne Murray as a valued member of the President’s Advisory Council. He was revered by his Baker colleagues for his gifts of time, treasure, and perhaps most important, his wisdom. “Jared used to recall a phenomenon called ‘the Baker Magic,’ which explained the

personalized experience between faculty, students, and administration,” Carol said. “We have given to Baker because we believe in an education where individual attention is given to each student as needed. We want Baker to continue to provide an educational environ-ment where students really know their instructors and feel their support.”The Granthams were among the donor champions for the Mulvane Transformation Proj-

ect in 2012, the $11.3 million science facility now named for their friend, Ivan L. Boyd. Carol is a major donor and member of the Pulliam Society.

“I give to support Baker’s current operations and to memorialize and honor friends and loved ones.”

“We have given to Baker because we believe in an education where individual attention is given to each student as needed.”

Pulliam Society Honor Roll of Donors, continued...

Pulliam Society members leave a lasting legacy in the Baker community, further our mission, and support our students by including the university in estate gifts, wills, annuities, and other planned giving options. Planned gifts are designed to align a donor’s personal values with those of the university and preserve them for the future.

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Mr. Ryan and Mrs. Emilee Kuhn

Labconco Corporation

Mr. Gordon and Mrs. Marti Lansford

Monty and Bootsie Lauridsen

Lawrence Memorial Hospital

Dr. Benny Chen-Chu and Mrs. Lina Bich Tran Lee

Dr. Patricia and Mr. Dennis Long

Reverend Dr. Kenneth Lutgen Jr. and Mrs. Linda Lutgen

Dr. Trilla Lyerla

Mrs. Irene Marsi

Mr. Alan and Mrs. Patricia Mauch

MB2 Sports, Inc

Mr. O. J. McDonald Jr.

Mr. Bill McHenry

Mrs. Judy McMonigle

Metro Express

Mid-America Bank

Naomi Estopy Mitchum

Mr. Jason J. and Mrs. Katherine Montgomery

Mr. Wayne L. Morris

Mr. Don and Mrs. Ruth Ann Nutt

Mr. William O’Byrne

Mr. Kim L. Ong

Mr. Wayne and Mrs. Donna Osness

Mr. Nicholas Perry

Mrs. Amy J. Piersol

Mr. Chester Pitts II

Dr. Allen Polen

Quest Diagnostics

Mr. and Mrs. Robertson

Mr. Rodrock Chiropractic, P.A.

Mr. Dennis Rogers and Dr. Susan K. Rogers

Mrs. Vallera Clough Ross

Rev. William M. Runyan Estate

Dr. Darcy L. Russell

Mr. Jack and Mrs. Frances Rynerson

Mr. Bob and Mrs. Ruth Sarna

Ms. Paula Sauder

Mr. James Scanlon

Mr. Brandon and Dr. Courtnay Scarborough

Ed and Rose Schneeberger

Mr. Jim and Mrs. Melissa Sears

Mr. Christopher and Mrs. Ashley Smith

Mr. Ken and Mrs. Dottie Snow

Dr. Ken Gibson and Dr. Jackie Snyder

Dr. Robert and Mrs. Lola (Hendrickson) Soulen

Dr. Karl and Mrs. Nancy Spear II

Spectra Energy Foundation

Dorothy Stubbs Charitable Trust

Steve and Pat (Corken) Sublett

Mr. Richard and Mrs. Jeanne Sulley

Dr. Brad L. and Mrs. Susan Tate

Mr. Ronald F. Taylor

Topeka Community Foundation

Mr. Matthew S. and Mrs. Cindi Trager

Mr. Ray and Mrs. Suzanne Trowbridge

Mr. Paul D. and Mrs. Marian Tubach

Mr. Calvin K. Upp

USA Wrestling-Kansas, Inc.

Dr. Angela and Mr. Patrick Valadez

Mr. Jack and Mrs. Judith Warner

Mr. Jerry and Mrs. Patti (Francisco) Weakley

Mr. Jason P. Webb

Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign

Westar Energy Foundation

Mr. Roger and Mrs. Anita Patrick White

Mr. Tom and Mrs. Kate Wiese

Mr. Cecil and Mrs. Elizabeth Williams

Dr. Larry and Mrs. Janie (Haskin) Wilson

Mr. Jeff and Danielle Yearout

Mrs. Jennifer Yocham Poersch

Mr. Steve and Mrs. Angie Zahn

1858 Club$500 - $999AAA Allied Group, Inc.

Mr. David and Mrs. Maryanna Adelman

Mr. Wayne and Mrs. Barbara Algire

Mr. Douglas and Mrs. Stephanie Almeida

American Family Insurance

Mr. Joshua P. and Mrs. Molly Anderson

Mrs. Marcella K. Anderson

Baldwin Feed Company, Inc.

Baldwin Insurance Services

Mr. Dallas M. Barth

Ms. Kristina Bennett

Mr. Eliot Berkley

Blackwood, Langworthy & Tyson

Mr. Ron and Mrs. Diane Brees

Mr. Charles Brown

Mr. K.C. and Mrs. Lori Brown

Mr. Tim and Mrs. Madeleine Burkindine

Mr. Richard Bush

Clariant Pigments

Mr. James J. Clark

Mr. Mark Coble

Mr. Stephen Conover

Mrs. Robin B. Crawford-Hansen

Mr. Austin DeGraeve

Mr. Dennis G. and Mrs. Ellen DeLay

Mr. Maxwell B. Dodge

Ms. Katherine Dooley

Mr. Tim and Mrs. Mary Dorr

Mr. and Mrs. Drouillard

Mrs. Kathy L. Elliott

Dr. Douglas Emery

Dr. V. Rodney Enos

Exxon U.S.A. Foundation

First Construction, LLC

Dr. Harold Frye

The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation

Mr. Geoffrey I. Greiner

Ms. Jennifer Grimes

Mr. Richard E. and Mrs. Wanice Haas

Mr. Craig W. and Mrs. Nancy Hackett

Mr. Paul and Mrs. Judy Hamner

Mr. Mark Hanson

Mr. James T. Hardy

Nick and Martha Harris

Mr. David L. Hiatt II

Dr. N. William Hines Jr. and Mrs. Jean Hines

Mr. Jason H. Hodges

Mr. and Mrs. Holden

Honeywell International Charity Matching

IBM Corporation

Mr. Harold and Mrs. Denice Jackson

Mr. Steve J. and Mrs. Sherry Jackson

Mr. Raymond A. James Jr.

Mrs. Melba Johnston

Kenneth D. Jones and Barbara J. Jones

Mr. Scott Jones

JW Data, LLC

Mr. Carse Kershaw

Mrs. Patricia Kikendall

Mr. James T. and Mrs. Judith Kliewer

Mr. Pablo and Mrs. Rochelle La Rosa

Lathrop & Gage LLP

The Lodge

Mr. Jeff M. and Mrs. Amanda Lowry

Mr. Pat and Mrs. Debra McCandless

Dr. Richard L. McDowell

Dr. Donald V. Meyer

Mr. Bernard S. Miller

Mr. Kevin E. Miller

Mr. Scott E. Miller

Ms. Melissa Ness

Nichols Group, Inc.

Olathe Medical Center

Mrs. Ursula Parke

Dr. Douglas S. and Mrs. Judith Parks

Mr. Larry and Mrs. Phyllis Graf Perry

Dr. Brian and Mrs. Christy Posler

Mr. Robert Ray

Mr. Garland and Mrs. Jeanne Richardson

Ms. Amy E. Riebel

Mr. Robert and Mrs. Marian Russell

Mr. Todd and Mrs. Angelique Sanford

Mr. Ryan and Mrs. Erin Seager

Sprint Foundation

Stephens Real Estate, Inc.

Mr. Gregory Stoskopf

Kris and Michael Stouffer

Dr. Carl (Rusty) Stout Jr.

Ms. Emma G. Tinsley

Mr. Marshall R. Toburen

Tom Urquhart School of Baseball

USAW Kansas District #1

Mr. Graham and Mrs. Anne Walker

Dr. Jerald and Mrs. Virginia Walker

Mr. Aaron Watters M.D.

Waxman Candles

Mrs. Thelma Wever

Mr. Steve and Mrs. Megan Wilson

Mr. Leith E. Winsor

Mr. Edwin and Mrs. Kimberly Wittman

Mr. Max Wuellner

Mr. Joshua Zach

2016 President’sOnline AuctionBaker University gratefully recognizes the following individuals for donating items.

Jim Dick, ’63

Ross, ’70, and Christine Hartley

Skip, ’73, and Donna Rae Kalb

Rob and Allison (Malm) Kingsbury, ’85

Scott and Mary Piazza

Rick Quattrini, ’74

Bob and Kay Williams, both ’71

The auction raised $13,745 for scholarships.

Denise (Greufe) Ward, DO, 1979, Alpha Chi Omega

Coming from a small town, Denise felt at home in Baker’s supportive environment, and it’s this appreciation that motivates her to give back to the university. “Baker exposed me to others from all over the country. The students came from all different backgrounds. That was an education in itself,” she said. “The environment was also very supportive academi-cally. All my professors were approachable and encouraging.”Denise, who serves as a locum tenens anesthesiologist, filling in for doctors on vacation

and vacancies in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, donates her time-share in St. Maarten as a gift in kind. It has been a highly sought auction item at the Scholarship Auction and Gala and the Wildcat Classic Golf Tournament.One of her favorite Baker memories is Joe’s runs with her AXO sisters while studying for

exams. “How many women can you fit in a car?” she asked. She also enjoyed the variety offered at interterm. Serving as an aid at Lakemary Center in Paola, Kansas, for children with special needs gave her an appreciation for educators.

“I think Baker gave me a great environment to ‘grow up’ in. The environment was also very supportive academically. All my professors were approachable and encouraging.”

GratitudeGratitudeGratitudeGratitudeGratitudeGratitudeGratitude

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The Year in review:

The first Master of Science in Nursing cohort began in January. The mas-ter’s degree prepares students in one of two tracks: nursing administration or nursing education.

Baker University’s Doctor of Education in Leadership in

Higher Education program opened the school year with a big-ticket guest lecturer: Dayton Moore. Moore is the gener-al manager of the 2015 World Series champion Kansas City Royals. He spoke to the Baker students about leadership, organizational culture, and positivity.

Two Baker Uni-versity seniors were named Teachers of Promise: Melissa Kinzer of Olathe, Kansas, and Callie Brabender of Law-rence, Kansas. Kinzer teaches science in Olathe, and Brabend-er teaches elementary school in Indianapo-lis, Indiana.

In January, the School of Professional and Graduate Stud-ies launched of a Master of Science in Sport Management program that teaches students the skills necessary to assume a leadership position in the growing sports industry. The 36-credit-hour master’s program provides in-depth knowl-edge of facility planning, event management, sports market-ing, sports law, and other areas integral to starting a career in a competitive field.

In February, Tom and Patti Heiman’s theatre students brought home the Stagecraft Spirit Trophy from the pres-tigious Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival competition in Minnesota. In the Stagecraft Showdown, the Wildcats reached the final four.

In March, the women’s basketball team capped a stellar season by playing for a national title in the 2016 NAIA Divi-sion I Women’s Basketball National Championship game, falling to No. 2 MidAmerica Nazarene in the Silverstein Eye Centers Arena in Independence, Missouri.

Senior Michelle Critchfield, Hesston, Kansas, won Best Undergraduate Paper at the 59th Annual Missouri Valley History Conference, hosted by the University of Nebraska at Omaha in March. Her paper, Identity and Ethnicity in Late Medieval Britain, was one of 50 undergraduate papers presented at the conference, which drew participants from 70 universities and 24 states.

Staff of the Baker Orange won several awards at profes-sional conferences. The staff claimed Kansas Collegiate Media’s All-Kansas Award and earned 11 first-place awards and 13 second-place awards. At the Society of Professional Journalists Region 7 conference, the Orange was named the top student newspaper among four-year private colleges, beating out publications from Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa for the Region 7 Mark of Excellence Award as the Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper and earned 7 first-place awards.

Senior women’s golfer Lindsey Mateer was named a 2016 CoSIDA Academic All-American, earning a spot on the College Division Women’s At-Large Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

Dr. Kevin McCarthy was awarded the Jennie Howell Kop-ke and Verda R. Kopke Award for Distinguished Teaching during the May commencement ceremony.

The Baker University School of Nursing celebrated its 25th anniversary in August.

The Baker Univer-sity Wetlands was named “the most beautiful place in Kansas” by House Beautiful magazine. The Wetlands is home to the newly constructed Wetlands Discovery Center and 927 acres of rich, natural wildlife.

Baker alumnus and Pulitzer Prize winner Harold Jack-son delivered the keynote address at the university’s annual convocation ceremony in August. Jackson, a 1975 graduate, has served as the editorial page editor for the Philadelphia Inquirer since 2007 and has been recognized throughout his career with numerous honors including the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists Trailblazer Award and the Journalist of the Year award from the National Association of Black Journalists.

Officials from Baker University and Washburn University School of Law signed a partnership into effect during a joint press conference on Baker’s campus in September. The mem-orandum of understanding solidifies the launch of the new Law Early Admission Program (LEAP), which will allow academically talented and highly motivated undergraduate students at Baker to matriculate to Washburn’s law school after three years.

Five alumni were inducted into Baker’s Athletic Hall of Fame on Sept. 23 at the Overland Park Marriott: Dennis Delay, ’63; Gary Greenwood, ’93; Rian Watts, ’96; Triece (Baker) Krause, ’01; and Emily Gibson, ’11.

The School of Professional and Graduate Studies launched a 10-month coding “bootcamp” in partnership with the Software Guild. The program is distinctive in the region.

Baker University was the highest-ranked Kansas univer-sity in the Midwest Regional University rankings of the 2017 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges. This is the seventh consecutive year Baker has received the publication’s highest marks among universities in the state for its category.

More than a dozen Baker students, fac-ulty, staff, and former trustees attended the launch event for 1989 graduate Candice Millard’s third book: Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of

Winston Churchill. Upon release, the book immediately was featured on the New York Times Bestsellers list.

In November, the Baker women’s soccer team capped a magical season with a trip to the NAIA Fab Four. The season culminated with a Heart of America Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honor for Davy Phillips, ’04, MLA ’12.

Junior quarterback Logan Brettell topped the 2016 Aca-demic All-America College Division Football Team as cho-sen by the College Sports Information Directors of America when he was named the 2016 Academic All-American of the Year. Brettell is the sixth Baker athlete to be named an Academic All-American and the first to be awarded the Aca-demic All-American of the Year.

In December, the Baker Wildcat football team advanced to the NAIA National Championship game in Daytona, Florida. Thousands of Baker alumni and friends traveled to watch the team play. The Wildcats lost the game, but ended the season as the Heart of America Athletic Conference Champions and boasted a 13-1 overall record.

At the December Commencement ceremony Baker Uni-versity graduated a record 27 Ed.D. candidates.

Spring 2016

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Fall 2016

Danielle Jones ReaseSenior Director of Development & Special Assistant to the President

Amy PiersolSenior Director of Major Gifts

Ivan Huntoon, ’00Director of Development and Planned Giving

Phil Hannon, ’86Assistant Director of Special Gifts

Kelsey Nolte, MAOL, ’16Assistant Director of Annual Fund

Doug Barth, ’91Director of Alumni Relations

Kathy McCraryManager of Constituent Relations

Lynda LewisAdvancement Administrative Assistant

University AdvancementAdministrative LeadershipDr. Lynne Murray University President

Dr. Tes MehringInterim Provost

David HouchenVice President of Finance

Danielle YearoutVice President of Enrollment and Marketing

Andy JettVice President of Strategic Planning & Academic Resources, Chief Information Officer

Martha HarrisInterim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Jacob BucherDean of the School of Professional & Graduate Studies

Dr. Bernadette M. FetterolfDean of the School of Nursing

Dr. Marcus ChildressDean of the School of Education

Dr. Cassy Bailey, EdD, ’12Dean of Students

Theresa Yetmar, ’02, MBA, ’12Director of Athletics

Danielle Jones ReaseSenior Director of Development & Special Assistant to the President

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OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENTP.O. Box 65 Baldwin City, KS 66006-0065

College of Arts and SciencesBaldwin City, Kansas

785.594.6451

School of Professional and Graduate Studies

Overland Park, Topeka and Wichita, Kansas Kansas City and Lee’s Summit, Missouri

913.491.4432

School of NursingTopeka, Kansas888.866.4242

School of EducationBaldwin City, Overland Park, Topeka

and Wichita, Kansas, Kansas City, Missouri

913.491.4432

bakerU.edu