By Monty Siekerman
ONU President Emeritus Dr. Kendall Baker and wife Toby cut the ribbon during dedication ceremonies of the Baker Residential Commons at Homecoming festivities on Saturday morning.
The Bakers returned to campus from their home in Colorado to attend the ceremony in their honor: the naming of a complex of 7 residence halls in the southwest portion of campus that were built during his tenure here as president.
Also pictured are President Dan and wife Chris DiBiasio (left) and Dr. and Mrs. Oscar Mifsud. Speaking at the ceremony were Mrs. Karen Condeni, retired VP of admissions, and Dr. Adriane Thompson Bradshaw, VP of student affairs, as well as Dr. DiBiasio and Dr. Mifsud, chair of the board of trustees.
They told of the many accomplishments the university made during the Bakers' tenure as well as the personal qualities of the Bakers, all leading to a successful presidency. Dr. Baker humbly accepted the recognition. A number of current and retired faculty and staff attended the dedication ceremony.
The residence halls, now known as Baker Residential Commons, include Affinity Village, Commons Building, Klondike's Den, Lakeview, Northern Commons, Polar Place, and Stadium View East and West.
Dr. Baker became ONU's 10 president in 1999 and served until 2011. During that time, buildings for business, natural sciences, and The Inn were constructed and the pharmacy building saw an addition. An LL.M. program began in the law school, energy sustainability advanced, and undergraduate degrees began in forensic biology, pharmaceutical business, and nursing.
