Faculty recognized for commitment to Baker

On Friday, August 13, Baker University honored faculty at a reception held in Sullivan Square in Baldwin City. Faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Nursing were recognized for tenure and promotion. Several faculty members were named to endowed professorships and endowed chair positions.

“These faculty members are leaders, mentors, and educators who promise our students exceptional experiences from the moment they set foot on campus, to the day they graduate, leading them to meaningful careers and purposeful lives,” said Lynne Murray, Baker University President. “I thank them for their dedication to this university and, most importantly, to the students whose lives they impact every day.”

College of Arts and Sciences

These College of Arts and Sciences faculty members received tenure, promotion, or emeritus professor status: Dr. Jamin Perry, tenure and promotion to rank of associate professor; Dr. Robert Schukei, tenure and promotion to rank of associate professor; Dr. Donald Hatcher, emeritus professor, senior professor; Dr. Michael Barbush, emeritus professor; Prof. Inge Balch, emeritus professor; Dr. Erin Joyce, emeritus professor; Dr. Mahmoud Al-Kofahi, emeritus professor.

School of Nursing

These School of Nursing faculty members received promotions: Prof. Jeri Harvey, promotion to rank of assistant professor; Prof. Jessica Shippee McDaniel, promotion to rank of assistant professor; Prof. Ashley Seematter, promotion to rank of assistant professor.

Walt Bailey Chair of Humanities

This position was instituted in 2012 to honor Walter Bailey, who served as professor of art from 1972 until 2001. This chair was established through a gift from Rick Schaffer, ’70, and his wife, Betsy. The fund supports professional activities such as research, teaching innovation, service activities, conferences, and other program investments that directly affect students.

Prof. John Richards was named the Walt Bailey Endowed Chair of Humanities. Richards joined the faculty in 1997. He is among the most engaging lecturers at Baker, and his colleagues have commented that one of their favorite things about their personal retirement is the opportunity to sit in on some of his classes.

Dr. Roger Boyd Professorship

This professorship is named for Baker’s esteemed emeritus professor Dr. Roger Boyd. Joyce, ’72, and Mark, ’74, Fleming established the fund to offer financial assistance for biology and chemistry research and grant-writing skills in which students are collaborators or assistants in the project.

Dr. Scott Kimball was named to this position. He earned his undergraduate degree from Baker in 1999 and studied with Dr. Boyd, Dr. Cal Cink, and Dr. Gene Nelson. He joined the faculty in 2014. Like his mentors, he loves science and truly enjoys being in the field with students.

Miriam Markham Fetherolf Chair of Written Composition

This position is a longstanding professorship named after a treasured alumna. Mrs. Richmond Fetherolf’s 1979 gift was given to honor Professor Colin Cuthbert Alexander, a professor of English language and literature from 1914 to 1947. The funds support instruction in written composition and allow the chair to travel, purchase books and professional library materials, and attend workshops.

Dr. Tamara Slankard, who joined the faculty in 2011, was named the Miriam Markham Fetherolf Chair. In the 2019-2020 academic year, she led her colleagues in the design and development of the Baker Core general education program that focuses on the writing, oral communication, and research skills needed by all college students.

William Everett and Mary Ellen Mealman Endowed Chair of Business Leadership

 In 2016, Baker received a gift from William Everett and Mary Ellen Mealman to support community engagement and teach courses that provide students with the opportunity to develop and apply leadership abilities.

Prof. Narbeli Galindo was named the Mealman Chair. She has held many leadership positions in the greater Kansas City area, including director of international affairs and trade at the Economic Development Corporation. She joined the faculty in 2020 and is launching the Executive Leadership and Entrepreneurship Certificate this fall.

Swogger Humanities Professorship

A gift in 2018 from the Swogger Foundation to honor L. Glen Swogger Sr, who graduated from Baker in 1915, established the Swogger Humanities Professorship to support literature, history, philosophy, religion, international languages, visual arts, and performing arts.

Dr. Joanne Janssen, who joined the faculty in 2012, was named to this position and has taken the lead on the primary texts program at Baker. The innovative courses in this program are team-taught across disciplines and expose students to original thoughts and writings on a subject.

Milford White Chair of Chemistry

Dr. R. Milford White served as professor of chemistry at Baker from 1961 until 1981. The fund for this chair was started by Dr. Harold Kolling in 1980. The fund supports the salary of the chair of the Department of Chemistry.

Dr. Jamin Perry, who joined the faculty in 2016, was named to this position. This student-focused professor spends many hours tutoring students at the table outside of his office.