Baldwin City is not the center of the political world, not even close.

However, several Baker products are branching out from Baldwin City to Topeka, the center of the Kansas political world, and Washington D. C., the U.S. capital, to pursue a career in politics.

Former adjunct professor of psychology Tony Brown is a member of the Kansas House of Representatives and now Lisa Johnston, assistant dean for student academic services, is running for a seat in the U.S. Senate.

Other Baker connections to local politics include Kansas Senator Tom Holland, whose son Derek attended Baker, and Martha Harris, professor of business and economics, is Holland’s treasurer.

It is important for universities to have students who go on to have successful careers, but having faculty members who have other passions and are qualified to pursue those passions shows Baker in a positive light.

Having so many connections to the university in the Kansas legislature is a testament to Baker for the type of people it hires, and the success they have been able to find once they end their time in Baldwin City.

Johnston may be leaving Baker, but she is still going to be representing Baker in her run for office. Johnston has the chance to become the first female democratic senator from Kansas and is looking to help people on a larger level than one university.

The university should be proud that one of its employees wants to branch out and build on the rewards of helping people by taking it to a larger level.

Baker is proud of students who make the most of their opportunities once they leave Baker, and it should also be proud of its faculty who do the same.

If Johnson wins the seat, she has the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of Americans all over the country. <br/>