Dr. Bill Baker Granted VP Emeritus Status

Retiring Limestone College administrator Dr. William H. “Bill” Baker was granted Vice President Emeritus status during a commencement ceremony at Fullerton Auditorium on May 7.

Dr. Baker is retiring after 18 years of leadership at the Gaffney-based college. From 1997 until 2013, Dr. Baker served as Vice President for Institutional Advancement, administering the alumni, fund raising, and communications departments. Since 2013, he has been Special Assistant to the President for Public Affairs. The Limestone Board of Trustees authorized for Dr. Baker to be granted the status of Vice President Emeritus for Institutional Advancement.

“Dr. Baker was extremely dedicated to Limestone College, its students, and everyone associated with the college and our surrounding community,” said Limestone College Dr. Walt Griffin. “We will miss him being a daily part of our campus, but we wish him well in his retirement. Bill was instrumental in the growth of Limestone and we will be forever grateful to him for his service. He will always be a part of our Limestone family.”

A native of Tennessee, Dr. Baker graduated cum laude from Lincoln Memorial University in 1953 with double majors in English and speech. He received his Master of Arts in Counseling from Tennessee Technological University in 1968 and his doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Tennessee in 1972.  Dr. Baker also pursued postgraduate studies in Psychology at Tennessee Tech and served as a member of the Board of Trustees and Alumni President at Lincoln Memorial University.

Early in his career he enjoyed a fascinating variety of employment experiences: working for radio stations in Kentucky and Florida as program director, news director, and general manager; co-owning and managing an outdoor advertising company; and directing a national public relations campaign for the dedication of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.

His long career in higher education has involved both teaching and administration.  He was a faculty member at the University of Central Florida, Seminole Community College, and Tennessee Technological University. At Tennessee Tech, his administrative career included service as Administrative Assistant to the President, Dean of University Services, Dean of University Development, and Assistant to the President for Special Projects. From 1986 until 1997, Dr. Baker was Director of Institutional Advancement and Director of Government Relations at Florida’s Seminole Community College.

Among his many honors are being selected a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International, being named the Outstanding Professional Fundraiser by the Central Florida Chapter of the National Society of Fundraising Executives, being honored with the Quarter Century Award by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, and being commissioned a Kentucky Colonel.

As Limestone’s Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Dr. Baker and his staff provided leadership and direction for the successful completion of a $3.5 million Sesquicentennial capital campaign, the $11.5 million Campaign for Limestone Tomorrow, and the $4.8 million dollar campaign to restore the Winnie Davis Hall of History. Under his leadership, Limestone increased endowed scholarships by 60 percent, initiated the Sharin’ of the Green event to honor students and donors, the Saints Club Golf tournament, the Student Alumni Leadership Council, and the Breakfast of Champions which honors championship athletics teams. He was also instrumental in securing a $1 million gift to establish the Christian Education and Leadership program.