Over the past year, Baker University faculty, staff and students have earned numerous national, state, regional and conference awards.<br/>
This common occurrence happened once again when Roger Boyd, director of natural areas and professor emeritus of biology, was named Conservationist of the Year in February.
Boyd was honored for his work and contributions to the Baker Wetlands, as well as his other responsibilities on campus, by the Kansas Wildlife Federation.
Boyd’s story follows a similar pattern to other Baker affiliates like Board of Trustees member Susanne Teel, who was named the recipient of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education District VI Conference Volunteer of the Year award.
The Baker University Marketing Department also grabbed a handful of honors at the 2012 Council for Advancement and Support of Education District VI Awards. The department brought home two gold awards, as well as two silver and one bronze.
These awards should serve as reminders of the truly helpful faculty and staff Baker has to offer. We often take for granted how beneficial and resourceful these people are and lose sight of Baker’s iconic reputation.
We should take a step back and be thankful that we attend an award-winning university whose main focus is student success. With the guidance of these adorned members of Baker’s campus, students have gone on to earn awards of their own.
Several students such as Baker Orange staff member Rachel Dannen and sophomore Nancy Delgado have received regional and national scholarships through their involvement in organizations at Baker.
Dannen was named the recipient of the National Association for Campus Activities Heart of America Region scholarship in February and Delgado received the Merit Award from the National Society of Collegiate Scholars in October.
The Office of Student Life is also among the award winners on Baker’s campus. It won the Innovative Program Award for the Serve 2 Succeed mentoring program at the National Orientation Directors Association Region IV Conference. The award highlights outstanding administrative practices and recognizes approaches that meet the changing needs on a college campus for university officials.
Aside from academics, Baker is bringing back titles in another field as well. The Baker Athletic Department has already claimed six regular season Heart of America Athletic Conference titles this year.
The ‘Cats have also had two coaches receive HAAC Coach of the Year honors. Nate Houser, head men’s and women’s soccer coach, was the recipient of the Coach of the Year award for both teams this fall. Zach Kindler, head cross country and track and field coach, was also named the Coach of the Year for men’s cross country and the men’s and women’s indoor track team.<br/>
With the combination of these awards and championships, it is an exciting time to be at Baker and witness history in the making.
