During University President Pat Long’s Founders Day address on Feb. 11, the 28th president reflected on the elements that led to Baker’s sustainability since 1858.

“We have persevered through good times, bad times and some really scary times. But for 156 years, Baker has not only survived, but thrived,” Long said.

She acknowledged that at its peak, there were 839 Methodist colleges and universities. Today, only 119 survive. Some institutions broke away from their Methodist affiliations, but many have permanently closed their doors.

These statistics made Long stop and wonder what allowed Baker to survive through the last 156 years. She determined three main reasons, one of which is the university’s Methodist roots.

“Once we came to Baker, we realized that those Methodist traditions and beliefs are really what forge our values — they forge our culture. It’s what we live by every day,” Long said. “I found that’s one of the reasons that for eight years I have loved Baker so much.”

She also believes the willingness and courage of visionary leaders to change and adapt is vital to Baker’s sustainability.

“A clear vision gives direction, a clear vision gives hope,” Long said. “In each decade, there were decisions that had to be made that needed a clear vision and a clear hope.”

She said former University President Dan Lambert’s push to expand Baker from one campus to multiple locations “made all the difference.” The addition of these programs not only added to Baker’s revenue source, but they also enhanced the university’s reputation and recognition.

“I think without (Lambert’s) leadership and the Board (of Trustees’) vision, well, I really do fear for what Baker’s future might be right now,” Long said. “I know that decision to expand did not come without some criticism, probably a lot of concern and even fear. But leadership saw a need and Baker stepped into that need.”

Finally, she said dedicated faculty and staff are the reasons Baker can call itself the oldest university in Kansas.

“It’s our faculty who believe in academic excellence, who keep current, who inspire and who demand only very best from our students,” Long said.

Long said she knows Baker will have challenges ahead, but her hope now and after her retirement is that the university will “find strength and embrace those opportunities as they arise.”

“I pray that strength will result in actions that lead to very bright hope for a very bright future at Baker.”