Robert and Emily Honse are traditionalists with a twist. When most newlyweds are receiving gifts and preparing thank you notes, Bob and Emily chose to make a gift to celebrate their September 22, 2007 wedding.

The couple has pledged $100,000 to endow the Robert W. and Emily J. Honse Unrestricted Scholarship to provide support for students in the College of Arts & Sciences, School of Nursing or School of Professional & Graduate Studies.

Bob, retired CEO of Farmland Industries, first became involved with Baker as a parent when his daughters began attending in the early 1990s. Christy Allen and Mary Dodd both graduated from Baker in 1996 with degrees in mass communication and nursing, respectively.

Emily, an alumna of the School of Nursing, has family ties to Baker as well. Her parents, Joe and Betty Simunac of Baldwin City, Kansas, and her brother, Joe, are also Baker alumni.

“Baker has given much to our families, especially the education that has served Emily and my daughters so well in their careers. Emily and I are thrilled to give back in a fashion that will help to provide a Baker education to future generations” said Bob during a recent visit to campus.

“Baker is fortunate to have friends like Bob and Emily who share in the vision of a liberal arts education and choose to support it through philanthropy. This special gift will enhance our ability to recruit and retain students who might not otherwise have an opportunity to attend a college like Baker,” said Patricia Long, president of the University.

Today, Bob serves as chair of the University’s board of trustees. This experience has afforded him the opportunity to share in the shaping of Baker’s future and, together, Bob and Emily serve as ambassadors for Baker.

According to Emily, the decision to make this gift was a natural extension of their involvement. “Bob and I are excited about the University’s direction and felt we could positively impact the Baker experience for others through this scholarship. We hope it touches many lives.”

Thank you, Bob and Emily, and congratulations!