About Robin Baker
Robin E. Baker became the 12th president of George Fox University on July 1, 2007. Through Baker’s innovative leadership as president, the university has grown to become the third-largest private university in Oregon with a solid reputation for academic excellence.
A historian and experienced university administrator, Baker spent eight years as the university's provost prior to his appointment. In that role, he helped the university 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 Act Six program, a leadership and scholarship initiative for multicultural students.
Baker serves as chair of the Northwest Conference and is on the board of the National Association of Independent Colleges.
Prior to George Fox, Baker was vice president for academic affairs at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.
A native of Phoenix, Arizona, 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.
Baker’s research has focused on the American Civil War and Reconstruction, 19th-century American political/quantitative history, and the history of the southern United States. He also has a special interest in the works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien and has collected several first editions of their works.
Baker and his wife, Ruth, have three 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 |