Provost at George Fox

to become president

   NEWBERG — Robin Baker won’t have to move more than a few feet to occupy his new office as George Fox University’s 12th president.
    Baker, who as provost has overseen a dramatic expansion of academic programs at the university since 1999, will be the institution’s next president, effective July 1. His current office is located in the same suite of offices as outgoing President David Brandt.
    Baker, 49, was selected in mid-March by the George Fox Board of Trustees, which met on the Newberg campus for its annual spring meetings. He will begin his presidential duties upon Brandt’s retirement.

  “Dr. Baker is very talented, and we believe he is uniquely gifted to think globally and then execute programs where George Fox students can make an impact in the world for Christ,” said Barbara Palmer, chair of the trustee board and senior vice president of Bank of America.
   “It has been an honor to serve as provost for the past eight years at George Fox University as we have grown in size and quality,” Baker said. “This is an excellent place to earn an undergraduate or graduate education in an environment that seeks to nurture and develop the whole person. I now look forward to leading the institution in its effort to become one of the premier institutions of Christian higher education in the country.”
    As provost, Baker supervises all academic programs, institutional technology, intercollegiate athletics, student life, and library services. During his eight years, Baker has overseen the addition of six new undergraduate programs (engineering, political science, art, philosophy, nursing, and theater) and five graduate programs (doctor of ministry, doctor of management, MBA executive track, master in school counseling, and master in school psychology). He also worked with the university’s academic units to help gain specialized accreditation for several undergraduate programs, as well as the seminary and psychology graduate programs.
    Baker completed a doctorate in history with honors at Texas A&M University in 1989. He was named outstanding graduating student at Hardin-Simmons University, where he earned his master’s degree in history in 1982. He earned his undergraduate degree with high honors from Grand Canyon University in Arizona in 1980.
    Prior to George Fox, Baker was senior vice president at Grand Canyon University He served at Grand Canyon from 1994 to 1999, beginning as associate professor of history. In 1996, he was named dean of the College of Liberal Arts. In 1997, he became vice president for academic affairs, and in 1998 he was named senior vice president.
    Baker was an assistant professor of history at Wheaton College in Illinois from 1989 to 1992, then assistant professor of history at John Brown University in Arkansas for two years.
    Baker and his wife, Ruth, have a son and two daughters.