Dennis Long is a quiet man. He enjoys simple things. Sometimes he plays with his Dachshunds or develops Web sites on his assortment of Mac and PC computers.  Other times he prefers to go out riding with a buddy on his motorcycle.  

But Long’s life is not that of a quiet man. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.  His wife is University President Pat Long and the life of a president is anything but quiet.

Myra Glover, administrative assistant to the president’s office, believes the two are perfect for each other.

“They are the perfect example of opposites attract,” Glover said. “They have a very close relationship.”

Before the Longs moved to Baldwin City, their home was in Lenexa. Dennis had his own job then as an electrical engineer. When Pat took the position at Baker in July of 2006, the couple moved to Baldwin City.

Shortly after in September, Dennis took early retirement from his previous job. 

"It's a lot different," Dennis said. "Now everything kind of revolves around her and her job."  <br/>He said he does his best to be a supportive husband.  He said he does his best to be a supportive husband. 
He said he does his best to be a supportive husband. 

“I try to support her however I can,” he said.

Dennis also said he’s learned a thing or two during 36 years of marriage. 

“Early on in our marriage I’d try to fix things,” he said. “Now I do a better job of listening. She’s the expert. I just listen.” 

Pat said being president can be lonely and is appreciative of the “gift of love he gave.”

“This is a sacrifice for him,” she said.

Finding time to spend together can be a challenge for the couple. Usually the only times available for the both of them are in the evenings. 

“It seems like we always have something on weekends,” Dennis said. “If we want to go out with friends, that’s a challenge.”

“We’re very public now,” Pat said. “There’s not as much privacy.” 

Life married to the president of Baker University has its perks, though, Dennis said.

“You get to meet a lot of interesting people and go to a lot of interesting events,” he said.

Dennis has done some volunteer work in Baldwin City. He goes to Baker sporting events and attends a Methodist men’s Bible study.

“A couple times a month we meet in Vintage Park,” Dennis said. 

At the end of the day, many married couples like to sit down and discuss how their days went. For the Longs, that time comes sparingly.

“A lot of evenings she has events she has to go to. A normal week we see each other two or three times a week in the evenings,” Dennis said. “It’s kind of hit or miss.”

After 36 years together, both of them have learned that the times together make up for all the times apart.

“We’ve been very blessed,” Pat said. 

So when she gets to Collins House, she knows she’ll walk into her home to see her husband waiting for her, playing with their Dachshunds.