Last Friday Baldwin City threw Baker University a birthday party bearing cake, presents, balloons and more.

With the Baldwin High School band playing in the background, the Baldwin Elementary School’s fourth and fifth grade students singing “Happy Birthday” and the well-known Red Hat Society women of Baldwin City serving the cake and ice cream, the streets of Baldwin City were nothing near quiet that afternoon.

Administrative Assistant Cheryl McCrary said she thought there was a wonderful turn out with only a couple pieces of cake left over.

“There was a wide variety of people who attended, including students, staff, Baldwin City residents and people who just wanted to see what was going on,” McCrary said. “As far as the cake goes, we gave out over 400 pieces and gave the rest to the Baldwin High School football team.”

Senior Emily Nickel attended the event and said she thought there could have been more Baker students at the ceremony.

“Besides the parMentors who were required to be at the presentation, I didn’t see any other students the entire time I was there,” Nickel said. “It was a little disappointing to know that Baldwin City was honoring Baker University and the only students that were there were the ones who were required to be there,” she said.

After everyone got their fill of eating sweets and singing “Happy Birthday,” the community was pleased to present a fountain as a birthday present in honor of Baker and its achievements to University President Pat Long.

“The event on Friday was very well attended and a wonderful celebration,” Long said. “I think the fountain was a generous and fitting gift to celebrate the important connection between Baker University and Baldwin City.”

In addition to the fountain, McCrary said Baldwin City also donated a $1,000 scholarship to go toward a Baldwin City High School graduate who is attending Baker in the fall of 2008.

“I think the scholarship is really exciting because it will mean something to whoever receives it,” she said. “Baldwin City is celebrating Baker’s existence and I can’t think of a better reward than that.”