Delbert Baker

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Delbert W. Baker
Delbert W. Baker

Delbert W. Baker is a Seventh-day Adventist minister, author, educator, and administrator. He is the current president of Oakwood University (formerly Oakwood College).

Contents

[edit] Early life

Delbert W. Baker was born on January 25, 1953, in Oakland, California, to Paul and Amelia Christian Baker. Paul Baker (1923-2001) served a distinguished military career while Amelia (1931) is a retired educator and poet. Baker has five siblings: Chimezia Ezenwa, an international trade specialist, entrepreneur and author; Wrenda Gallien, a retired psychiatrist, professor and entrepreneur; Phyllip, an airline administrator and real estate agent; Yvette, a psychiatrist and neurologist; and Paxton, President of BET Jazz and Vice President of the BET network and husband of the former Rachel Stuart.

Baker left home at 14 and traveled widely during his youth, attending schools across the United States and the Caribbean. In 1975 he graduated from Oakwood University, a Seventh-day Adventist HBCU in Huntsville, Alabama with a BA in Ministerial Theology. While at Oakwood he held the position of president of his class twice.

[edit] Marriage

On the weekend of his college graduation, Baker married Susan Lee on May 30th. Lee, a native of Chicago, Illinois, also attended Oakwood University, and holds a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Loma Linda University. She is the daughter of the famous opera singer Alyne Dumas Lee. Dr. Susan Baker is a sought after physical therapist, consultant, accountant and educator. Currently she serves as the Director of the Allied Health Program at Oakwood University.

The couple has three sons: David, a doctor of physical therapy who practices in Southern California; Benjamin, an author and educator; and Jonathan, a corporate engineer specializing in human capital and labor relations. The Bakers also have a daughter-in-law, the former Denise Marinella (married to David), who is also a doctor of physical therapy and practices in Southern California.

[edit] Early career

Baker pastored churches in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia from 1975-1985. In 1977 he earned a Masters of Divinity from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Baker's ministrial efforts met with success: wherever he pastored his churches grew and flourished, especially in solid administrative programs that would endure. Baker also did extensive evangelism, baptizing over 1,500 souls into the Christian faith.

[edit] The author years

In 1986 Baker served as the editor of the Seventh-day Adventist church's sole African American magazine, The Message Magazine. Under his editorship the magazine quadrupled its subscriptions and added a newsletter and scores of special issues. In 1987 Baker wrote his first book called The Unknown Prophet. The Unknown Prophet was a semi-biographical historical work on William Foy, an African American minister who received visions in the mid nineteenth century. Foy guided many early Adventist believers through the Great Disappointment with his inspirational visions, and Ellen G. White, cofounder of the Adventist church, said that his visions were genuine and promoted their message. Baker's work did much to advance Seventh-day Adventist race relations.

Baker's second book, also published by the denomination's premier press, From Exile to Prime Minister (1988), is the fruit of Baker's extensive work in Africa. During his tenure at The Message Magazine, Baker visited Africa scores of times, establishing contacts and promoting peace and the Christian faith. Baker was so inspired by Dr. Samson Kisekka, Uganda's Seventh-day Adventist Prime Minister, that he wrote a book about him. Baker's work is widely considered the authority on Kisseka's life.

Baker published two more books while editor of The Message Magazine: Profiles of Service (1991, with DeWitt Williams), a collection of 150 mini-bios on prominent African American Seventh-day Adventists; and Secret Keys (1993), a multi-ethnic children's storybook.

While editor of Message, Baker pursued a PhD in Communications at Howard University and also taught there in the school of Communication. His dissertation focused on the aforementioned Seventh-day Adventist cofounder Ellen G. White, and her work and methods of obtaining equal status for blacks in the Adventist church in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Baker was awarded a PhD from Howard University in 1992.

[edit] The Loma Linda years

Baker accepted a call to serve as the Special Assistant to the President and Director of Diversity at Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California in 1993, both two new posts created for Baker. While at Loma Linda Baker exponentially increased the number of ethnic students at the university and established clubs and organizations that aided in their matriculation and facilitated understanding and appreciation among the races. Baker also taught religion at the university and was a favorite with the students. His wife, Susan, was also a professor at Loma Linda.

Baker published two more books during his time at Loma Linda: Make Us One (1995), a collection of essays on diversity from church diversity experts; and Telling the Story (1996), a comprehensive collection of the writings on African American Seventh-day Adventist history. Telling the Story remains the premier volume on black SDA history to this day.


[edit] The Oakwood years

In 1996, in the year of the celebration of a century of existence, Oakwood University (then Oakwood College), Baker's alma mater, invited him to serve as president. Baker accepted. With characteristic energy and administrative virtuosity, Baker transformed Oakwood University.

First Baker focused on the students. Enrollment has steadily increased under his administration and each year yields a new record of students graduated. In September of 2007, Baker fulfilled a promise to Oakwood students to jump into the natatorium pool with his suit on if student enrollment exceeded 1,800 (http://youtube.com/watch?v=-jHXCJ_AWMI). Baker also greatly improved student housing, building a veritable neighborhood for upper-class students called West Oaks and renovating older dorms. In 1997 an exchange program was created to promote diversity at Oakwood. Also, an office of student diversity on Oakwood's campus was established in 2005 to promote diversity awareness among Oakwood students who hail from over thirty nations. Student health care also improved by the school acquiring several new health offices and increasing its medical staff. Student satisfaction and retention reached an all-time high under the Baker administration.

Student spirituality and service is a priority in the Baker administration. Oakwood University students participate in Global Evangelism through the Religion Department and have traveled to such places as Jamaica, Kenya, and Malawi. These students have been responsible for bringing more than 5,000 souls to Christ. Weekly, students participate in ministry to hospitals, jails, homeless shelters, youth detention centers, and schools. Students are also involved in local, national, and international service projects. In the face of the devastation from recent natural disasters, wars, and social upheavals, Oakwood students volunteered their time and talents to provide hands-on assistance to those in need. Busloads of students, faculty, and staff went into the community to collect items for hurricane victims and to become personally involved in providing relief and hope. Some traveled to the affected areas–nationally and internationally, to assist in cleanup and distribution of supplies during the relief efforts. Oakwood student missionaries have served in Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, Central and South America, and other parts of the world.

Academics also prospered. The instructors with doctorates increased to nearly 60%, and more courses were offered. New majors and programs of study were established to serve burgeoning fields and careers and expanding student interests. In 2005, the College began to offer a fully accredited baccalaureate program in nursing. The Academic Division expanded its baccalaureate curriculum with new degree offerings in Chemical Engineering, Health Care Services, General Studies, Pre-Law, and Biomedical Sciences. Soon to be offered is a graduate degree program in Religion and Pastoral Studies, with concentration in Church Development. Plans for other graduate programs are underway and will soon be operational. Several collaborations with other universities and entities (such as NASA) were developed for the development of Oakwood's student body. Additionally, in 2006 Oakwood’s first Master’s degree was introduced. For consecutive years during Baker's tenure, US News and World Report cited Oakwood as one of the top colleges in the Southern Region (http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/usnews/edu/college/directory/brief/drglance_1033_brief.php), and The Huntsville Times recognized it as being one of the leading educational institutions in Alabama. In September 2007, the same magazine cited Oakwood as the 22nd best HBCU in the nation.

Oakwood's physical campus changed more during the Baker years than during any other decade in Oakwood's history. Baker collaborated with the state and built new roads and thoroughfares around and through the campus. In 2000 a slave cemetery on Oakwood's campus was discovered and made into a historical site. During Baker's tenure the multi-million dollar Business and Technology Complex was built. Other physical major campus additions over Baker's quinquennium include: construction of the West Oaks Apartments and student club house; a million-dollar renovation of the Market Square that included the store, expanded eating area, and Bookstore; renovation of all buildings on campus; construction of the Oakwood Mini-Storage facility; acquisition and renovation of the Oakwood Industries building to provide office space for Counseling and Health Services, WOCG, Sponsored Programs, and income-generating industries such as the Oakwood Memorial Gardens Cemetery; newly designed signage and entrances, campus parking, lights, and signals for streets; the Bradford-Cleveland-Brooks Learning Center; and a multi-million dollar new men's dormitory. Completed and dedicated in 2006, the inspiring bronze Monument to Service, depicting Simon of Cyrene helping Christ with the Cross, stands as a perpetual witness to the Oakwood University mission of preparing leaders for service. The monument and a colorful marquee display are part of a comprehensive campus-enhancement program that includes award-winning landscape beautification and a land development and acquisition program.

During the Baker administration, Oakwood University has experienced a record-breaking decade in fund-raising in all areas–individual and corporate gifts, grants, contracts, and special project giving. Baker's tenure is the third longest in Oakwood history, behind Calvin B. Rock (1971-1985) and James L. Moran (1932-1945).

Baker serves on numerous boards including: The Presidential Advisory Board for The White House Initiative for Historically Black Colleges and Universities; The Board of Directors of Adventist Health Systems; The United Negro College Fund; The Executive Committee of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists; the Huntsville City Chamber of Commerce.

[edit] Presidential honors

In 2006, the White House asked Baker to serve as a member of The Presidential Advisory Board for the White House Initiative for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

[edit] Marathoning

Baker has run over thirty marathons in twenty two states and several countries.

[edit] Bibliography

  • Baker, D.W. 1987. The Unknown Prophet. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association.
  • Baker, D.W. 1988. From Exile to Prime Minister. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association.
  • Baker, D.W., Monte Sahlin, and Alberto Valenzuela. How to Bridge Cultural Differences. Silver Spring, MD: Church Ministries Department, North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists.
  • Baker, D.W. and Williams, D., eds. 1991. Profiles of Service. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association.
  • Baker, D.W. and Monk, C.A., eds. 1993. Secret Keys. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association.
  • Baker, D.W. 1993. “The Dynamics of Communication and African-American Progress in the Seventh-day Adventist Organization: A Historical Descriptive Analysis.” Dissertation, Howard University.
  • Baker, D.W. 1994. Talking and Listening. Loma Linda, CA: Loma Linda University Printing Service.
  • Baker, D.W. ed. 1995. Make Us One. Boise, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association.
  • Baker, D.W. comp. 1996. Telling the Story. Loma Linda, CA: Loma Linda University Printing Services.
  • Baker, D.W. and Baker, S.M., comp. 1999. Thoughts for the Journey. Huntsville, AL: Oakwood College Press.
  • Baker, D.W. and Baker, S.M., comp. 2000. The Satisfaction of Service. Huntsville, AL: Oakwood College Press.
  • Baker, D.W., comp. 2000. The Millennium Lesson Book. Huntsville, AL: Oakwood College Press.
  • Baker, D.W. and Baker, S.M., comp. 2001. The Success Workbook. Huntsville, AL: Oakwood College Press.
  • Baker, D.W. and Baker, S.M., comp. 2002. The Coping Workbook. Huntsville, AL: Oakwood College Press.
  • Baker, D.W. and Baker, S.M., comp. 2003. The Help-Yourself Workbook. Huntsville, AL: Oakwood College Press.
  • Baker, D.W. and Baker, S.M., comp. 2004. Help for Healthy Living. Huntsville, AL: Oakwood College Press.
  • Baker, D.W. and Baker, S.M., comp. 2005. Powerful Traits. Huntsville, AL: Oakwood College Press.
  • Baker, D.W. and Baker, S.M., comp. 2006. The Universal Lesson Book. Huntsville, AL: Oakwood College Press.
  • Baker, D.W. and Baker, S.M., comp. 2008. Life Stories. Huntsville, AL: Oakwood University Press.

Chapter Contributions

  • Baker, D.W. “My Encounter with God.” in Knott, R. 1995. College Faith. Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association.
  • Baker, D.W. “Black SDAs and the Influence of Ellen G. White-1844-1910,” in Rock, Calvin, ed. 1996. Perspectives. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association.
  • Baker, D.W. and S.M. Baker, “Pathways to Success: Recruitment and Retention Methods at Oakwood College,” in Hale, F.W. 2006. How Black Colleges Empower Black Students. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.

Scholarly Citations

  • Baker, B.J. 2007. A Place Called Oakwood. Huntsville, AL: Oakwood University Press, pg. 173.
  • Baker, B.J. 2005. Crucial Moments. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald, pgs. 26, 46, 95, 117, 124, 140, 143.
  • Black, Barry. 2006. From the Hood to the Hill. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, pg. 113.
  • Bull, Malcolm and Keith Lockhart. 2006. Seeking a Sanctuary: Seventh-day Adventism and the American Dream. Indianapolis: Indiana University Press, pg. 421.
  • Cleveland, E.E. 1997. Let the Church Roll On. Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, pg. 127.
  • Coon, R.W. 1992. The Great Visions of Ellen G. White. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, pgs. 33, 38, 151.
  • Douglass, H.E. 1998. Messenger of the Lord. Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, pg. 576.
  • Dudley, C.E. 1997. Thou Who hast brought Us... Brushton, NY: TEACH Services, Inc., pg. 58, 77.
  • Dudley, C.E. 2000. Thou who hast brought Us thus far on Our Way. Nashville, TN: Dudley Publications, pgs. vii, xxi.
  • Fordham, W.W. 1990. Righteous Rebel. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, Acknowledgments, 143.
  • Hibbert, A.A. 1996. Before the Flames: Story of David Koresh and the Davidian Seventh-day Adventists. New York: Seaburn Publishing, pg. 21.
  • Hodges, C.E. 1998. This Far by Faith. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, pgs. 21, 22.
  • Iliffe, John. 1998. East African Doctors: A History of the Modern Profession. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pg. 316.
  • Jones, C.R. 2006. James K. Humphrey and the Sabbath-day Adventists. Jackson, MS: University Press of Mississippi, pgs. 20, 98, 112, 232.
  • Knight, G.R. 1993. Millenial Fever and the End of the World. Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, pgs. 118, 119, 355.
  • Land, Gary. 2005. Historical Dictionary of Seventh-day Adventists. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, pgs. 353, 365.
  • Lee, H.L. and Monte Sahlin. 2006. Brad: Visionary Spiritual Leadership. Lincoln, NE: Center for Creative Ministry, pgs. 17, 39, 62.
  • Lee, H.L. and Monte Sahlin. 2006. E.E. Cleveland: Evangelist Extraordinary. Lincoln, NE: Center for Creative Ministry, pg. 10.
  • Nerelus, S.L. 2005. Haiti's Dying Children. Printing Systems, pg. 49.
  • Nix, J.R. 1989. Memorable Dates from Our Adventist Past. Silver Spring, MD: North American Division Office of Education, General Conference of SDA, pgs. 3, 13-14.
  • Morgan, D. 2001. Adventism and the American Republic. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, pg. 255.
  • Mullins, L.I. 2004. Father, Father. Author House, pg. 271.
  • Norman, E.A. 2007. A Strategy for reaching Secular People. Author House, pg. 238.
  • Price, H.H. and Gerald E. Talbot. 2006. Maine's Visible Black History: The First Chronicle of Its People. Gardiner, ME: Tilbury House Publishers, pg. 385.
  • Rock, C.B. 1996. Perspectives. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald, 191.
  • Schwarz, R.W. and Floyd Greenleaf. 1995. Light Bearers. Silver Spring, MD: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Department of Education, pg. 660.
  • Sepulveda, Ciro. 2002. Ellen White: The Troubles and Triumphs of an American Prophet. Huntsville, AL: Oakwood College Press, pgs. 7-9.
  • United States House of Congress House Committee on Appropriations. 2000. Department of Veteran Affairs and Housing and Urban Development and Independent Agencies. Library of Congress, pg. 829.
  • United States Congress House on the Judiciary. Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Claims. 2006. Should Congress Raise the H-1B Cap? Library of Congress.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links