Our Faculty Mentor & Inspire

Philanthropy makes an impact on Baker faculty in several ways. Endowed chairs and professorships enable Baker to attract and retain top-notch faculty – individuals who excel in their academic disciplines and inspire students to stretch their understanding of the world. The President’s Vision Fund, comprising gifts of all sizes from alumni and friends, provides minigrants to faculty who, for example, wish to implement a new teaching method or introduce students to a unique field experience. Grants from corporations, foundations and other organizations have a similar effect, but often on a larger scale.

These are the stories of faculty who, one by one, parlay the generosity of donors into rich academic experiences for students.

Featured recipient at right:
Darcy L. Russell, Ph.D.
The 2006-2007 Barbara and Charles A. Duboc University Professor

Dr. Darcy Russell is the embodiment of Baker University's student-centered approach to education. Baker is proud to be able to offer students a quality collegiate experience because of faculty members like Dr. Russell. She not only possesses strong academic credentials, she provides students the opportunity to excel in the classroom and to work on research with a doctorate-level faculty member. Through example, she leads students to become campus leaders, to develop lifelong friends and associates with other students and faculty, and to believe in themselves.

The Barbara and Charles A. Duboc University Professorship was made possible by the generosity of Barbara and Charles Duboc. This endowed fund honors a professor who has provided exceptional service to the University, and the appointment is made annually from any discipline in the college.

Dr. Russell on her Teaching Interests
"I am primarily interested in biology as it occurs at the molecular and cellular levels. I love to teach Cell Biology, Genetics, and Molecular Biology. However, to this day my favorite course to teach is Microbiology. I would always rather be in the lab with students than anywhere else."

Dr. Russell on her Research Interests
"My current research project involves surveying the natural areas maintained by Baker University for bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics and the characterization of these strains at the molecular level using PCR technology. Students have worked with me on this project both as independent study participants and within the genetics course that I teach. I will be taking a sabbatical in the fall of 2007 to finish up work on the first "layer" of this project, write up our work and design the next phase of the project. The funds for the Duboc Chair will be used to pay for the laboratory supplies (media, disposables, PCR primers, etc.) needed to accomplish these tasks."

From the Student Perspective
Kallie Bechtold, graduate from Baker in 2004, and currently a student at KU School of Medicine, recalls her experience at Baker with Dr. Russell: "Dr. Russell never let me think that I couldn't achieve my goals. She is passionate about what she does, and she makes her students want to do better. I felt I could go to her for anything and I would get some meaningful advice. I think that Dr. Russell is very realistic with her students as well. So when she says she believes you can do something, you know she means it. I remember her telling me one day in the hallway that she knew I could get into medical school. Having that extra support from the faculty is something special that Baker has to offer. Baker is lucky to have professors like her."

About Dr. Darcy L. Russell, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology, Baker Univeristy
Alumna, Class of 1980; majored in Biology; member, Zeta Tau Alpha fraternity for women
Ph.D. in Microbiology, Kansas State University, 1986
Native Kansan and resident of Baldwin City, Kan.

Dr. Russell's Service to Baker
Province President XVIIB for Zeta Tau Alpha

Academic advisor for Pre-Medical Students, Pre-Dental Students, Pre-Nursing Students and students with research interests in Microbiology
Member, President's Club (giving)
Member, Presidential Search Committee (2005-2006)
Sponsor, Phi Eta Sigma
Sponsor, Sigma Zeta
Past Sponsor of Cardinal Key
Current Committee Service, EPC, FDE, and Faculty Senate
Past Committee Service, ASEM, FGE, PEOA and Faculty Representative to the BOT
Awardee, The Charles and Verda Kopke Award
Awardee, Distinguished Faculty Award (presented by academic peers)
Awardee, Faculty Member of the Year Award (presented by the student)
Awardee, The Barbara and Charles A. Duboc University Professor (presented by the college)

2006-2007 Endowed Chair and Professorship Holders

Darcy L. Russell
Barbara and Charles A. Duboc University Professor

John Buehler
Glad Robinson Youse and William C. Rice Chair in Choral Music

Kevin McCarthy
George F. Collins Jr. and Loreine Collins Dietrich Chair in Business and Finance

Ryan Beasley
Ernestine Susannah Buckley Chair in American History

Virginia Fambrough
Miriam Markham Fetherolf Chair in Written Composition

Cal Cink
Forrest E. Jones Chair in Biology and Health Sciences

Lucy Price
Vera Lawellin Chair in English

George Wiley
Robert Rebstock and Clarice Dicken Osborne Chair in Religious Studies

Lowell Jacobsen
Rhodes Chair in International Business

Gary Giachino
R. Milford White Chair in Chemistry

Karen Exon
Susan L. Perry Chair in Western American History