Some are content to follow others. Jeff wants to lead them. A dedicated business major and president of Delta Tau Delta, he honed his leadership skills by getting involved.

He entered his final year at Baker as the recipient of the prestigious William G. McGowan Scholarship. Leadership ability, interpersonal skills, and a significant involvement in academic, campus and community activities are the basis for the scholarship.

“The idea behind the McGowan research project is to make a potential impact on the business curriculum,” Skillman said. “I plan to come up with the basis for a corporate governance course that can be added to the Baker business and economics department.”

During his time at Baker, Skillman interned in the criminal justice information services division at the FBI in Virginia after being encouraged by his academic adviser Martha Harris.

“The professors are very invested in your success,” Skillman said. “They will go above and beyond the call of duty to help you succeed.”

As a member of Delta Tau Delta, Jeff learned how to effectively guide others and made great friends. Because of his leadership ability and dedication, Jeff became Greek Man of the Year.

From his Baker experience, Jeff knows he can pursue a career in the business or law fields and succeed.

“I’m very excited about the prospect of pushing myself to new heights in terms of educational enrichment, and I hope that I can leave a lasting impression on Baker’s campus, much like the impression Baker has left on me.”

Rachel learned about wildlife biology by reading textbooks, roaming the Australian rain forests and building bridges for monkeys in Costa Rica.

At Baker, learning doesn’t stop when you leave the classroom. The study abroad program allows students to acquire knowledge while exploring the world.

“The Australia experience was wonderful,” Rachel enthusiastically recalled. “We studied the rain forests and different ecosystems. It pushed my independence a lot as we did a lot of backpacking. Studying abroad and leaving the country opens up everything. There’s a world out there I never knew about.”

Rachel returned to Costa Rica with a grant from the Honors Program to study the influence of civilization on Howler monkey colonies. She presented a paper about her research at a conference in India.

Baker students also impact their own communities by getting involved in service activities that allow them to make a difference. Staying involved has provided balance for Kilian and enhanced her college life. She tutored her peers in the Student Academic Services, gives violin lessons and volunteers for Operation Wildlife.

“It is up to the student to get involved and make the most of any experience,” she said. “I am taking a lot of classes I want to take and really getting to know my professors. I am very happy here.”

Baker’s innovative liberal arts curriculum fosters students to become global citizens and positive contributors to society. After graduating, Kilian planned to pursue a career in environmental education.

“I would love to go to Jane Goodall’s program in Tanzania,” said Kilian, who has lofty ambitions. “I love talking about the environment.”

A Baker education will take you far in life. Justine, who triple majored in German, English and history, knows exactly how far. Justine, a Fulbright Scholar, is spending a year in Greifswald, Germany, teaching students English as a Foreign Language.

“I enjoy learning about different cultures and the relationships between different words and languages,” Justine said. “I am looking forward to sharing the American culture with students in Germany.”

Connecting with other people from around the globe is a goal of the liberal arts curriculum. Justine hopes to teach German students the English language while learning about cultural differences. She carries on a Baker tradition of commitment to civic and social responsibility.

While pursing her academic interests in the humanities and fine arts, Justine played violin in BU’s Orchestra and joined several campus organizations including Earth We Are and Alpha Mu Gamma. Her research, academic papers and poetry earned awards at conferences across the country.

Justine is well on her way to making a difference in the world. “I hope I can change some perceptions of Americans. We are people who care about other cultures.”

Trevor arrived at Baker University planning to study English and play tennis. He left with philosopher’s theories in his head and a degree in philosophy and creative writing in his hand.

Like many college students, Trevor discovered new interests and wanted a degree to reflect that.

At Baker, Trevor wasn’t alone. His professor Donald Hatcher encouraged Trevor to pursue a different academic path and mentored him throughout his undergraduate program.

Hatcher is only one of many dedicated Baker professors that welcome the opportunity to help you find your niche, guide you through your major, even design your own interdisciplinary one.

With Baker University’s strong culture of learning, students enjoy challenging the status quo.

Trevor wants to alter common philosophical theories created by John Stuart Mill, Immanuel Kant and John Rawls. “I always thought every theory they pitched was inadequate and had flaws,” he said. “I wanted to take a shot at my own theory and why it would be better.”

Trevor’s love for learning was honored when the professors nominated him for the competitive Marshall and Rhodes scholarships and named him outstanding philosophy major two years in a row.

Baker gives students the opportunity to walk a different path and challenge themselves.

Clayton Alexander has a lifelong connection to the written word. President of the Baker University Student Education Association, the aspiring elementary teacher plans to foster a positive learning environment and safe haven — a place where children enjoy reading, sharing their joys and concerns.

Experience Baker Life

With more than 75 student activities and organizations from which to choose, you’ll have no trouble finding your place, making friends and creating a memorable college experience.