Doug Barth, a 1991 Baker alumnus, has returned to his roots as the new director of alumni and corporate relations.

His former academic adviser, Walt Bailey, special assistant to the president for development of the arts, remembers him as a persistent student who always looked for ways to improve his art.

“He was always invested in trying to produce work that was better and better,” Bailey said.

“He probably had high expectations for himself; I tried to convince him that part of learning has to do with taking advantage of accidents.”

For Barth, he learned just as much in the classroom as he did out. While he attended college, he participated in a variety of art clubs, played basketball for a year and was active in Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. 

“When I came here, I had no sense what I wanted to do next,” Barth said.

But during his time at Baker, he began to realize what he wanted to gain from his college experience and from life itself.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in fine arts, he wanted to find jobs that fostered and utilized his creativity. For seven years, he worked in creative services and advertising at the Topeka Capital-Journal. Then he became the creative director for the University of Kansas for 10 years.

He also found love.

Barth noticed Sara (Koup) Barth, a 1993 Baker graduate, around campus before she even knew who he was. But after she went on a blind date that was brought about by Barth’s friends, she couldn’t forget about him.

“My first impression of him was that he was very outgoing, a gentleman, tall and handsome,” she said.

He proposed to her in Zeta Tau Alpha sorority’s parking lot.

The couple is now married and has two sons, Jackson, 10, and Jordan, 6.   

Barth acquired the director of alumni and corporate relations position about a month ago and is really excited to carry out his new duties.

“My main goal is to re-engage alumni, particularly those that are my age and younger,” Barth said. “I see myself as a ‘friendraiser.'”

Barth said the biggest complaint he hears from many alumni is that the university seems to only contact former graduates when it wants or needs money. Therefore, he wants to organize more campus and networking events for alumni.

"I'm very excited for him and his new challenge," his wife said.<br/>Barth was also excited about his new position.Barth was also excited about his new position.<br/>"I hold a great passion for this place," he said. "I want to see us succeed.""I hold a great passion for this place," he said. "I want to see us succeed."
Barth was also excited about his new position.
“I hold a great passion for this place,” he said. “I want to see us succeed.”