About Robin Baker
Robin E. Baker, a historian and experienced university administrator, is the 12th president of George Fox University.
Prior to his appointment on July 1, 2007, Baker spent eight years as the university's provost. During his tenure, he oversaw a dramatic expansion of academic programs with the addition 13 undergraduate programs and nine graduate programs. The number of faculty more than doubled and the university quadrupled institutional funds for academic research.
As provost, Baker supervised all academic programs, institutional technology, intercollegiate athletics, student life, and library services. He also worked with the university's academic units to help gain specialized accreditation for the engineering, social work, athletic training, and music undergraduate programs, as well as the seminary and psychology graduate programs. He initiated new efforts in globalization of the curriculum and helped create the university's new Act Six program, which each year will offer 10 full four-year scholarships to multicultural Portland students.
Baker has served as an accreditor for the Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities and has served on several boards for the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities.
Baker completed a doctorate in history with honors at Texas A&M University in 1989. He was named outstanding graduating student at Hardin-Simmons University, where he earned his master's degree in history in 1982. He earned his undergraduate degree with high honors from Grand Canyon University in 1980. His research has focused on the American Civil War and Reconstruction, 19th-century American political/quantitative history, and the history of the southern United States. Baker has taught classes at George Fox as professor of history.
In addition to his work in political history, Baker speaks frequently on the integration of faith and learning in the Christian university and he has a special interest in the works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.
Prior to George Fox, Baker was senior vice president at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. Baker served at Grand Canyon from 1994 to 1999, beginning as associate professor of history. In 1996, he was named dean of the College of Liberal Arts. In 1997, he became vice president for academic affairs, and in 1998 he was named senior vice president.
Baker was an assistant professor of history at Wheaton College in Illinois from 1989 to 1992, then assistant professor of history at John Brown University in Arkansas for two years.
Baker married his wife, Ruth, in 1980 while a student at Grand Canyon University. She serves as a substitute teacher in the Newberg School District. They have three middle- and high-school-age children: Jacob, Rebekah, and Tara.
Teaching and administrative history
| Institution | Position | Years |
|---|---|---|
| George Fox University (Oregon) | president | 2007-present |
| George Fox University (Oregon) | provost | 1999-2007 |
| Grand Canyon University (Arizona) | senior vice president | 1994-99 |
| John Brown University (Arkansas) | assistant professor of history | 1992-94 |
| Wheaton College (Illinois) | assistant professor of history | 1989-92 |
Education
| Institution | Degree | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Texas A&M University | doctorate in history with honors | 1989 |
| Hardin-Simmons University | master of arts in history (outstanding graduating student) | 1982 |
| Grand Canyon University | bachelor of arts in history and political science with high honors | 1980 |