Warren J. Baker

Baker was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Notre Dame and his Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico in 1966. He also studied at Harvard Business School.[2]

He was a professor at the University of Detroit from 1972 until 1979.[3]

The California State University Board of Trustees named Baker president on May 22, 1979. He was the youngest campus president in California State University history.

While president of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Baker raised approximately $1 billion in new facilities and renovations over three decades. He steered Cal Poly San Luis Obispo toward greater support from industry, alumni, and friends, leading what became a record-breaking $264 million Centennial Campaign.[4] He shepherded the donation of the 3,200-acre Swanton Pacific Ranch in Santa Cruz by alumnus Albert B. Smith, president of Orchard Supply Hardware.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo experienced significant growth under Baker's tenure. Under his leadership, Cal Poly increased the breadth of academic programs, adding 20 majors, 72 minors, and 15 master's degree programs. In 1993, U.S. News and World Report ranked Cal Poly as the best public university in the West, a title the university held for the next 17 consecutive years. In 1990, due to attendee riots, Baker suspended Poly Royal, the campus open house.

The Baker Forum, which focuses on the social and economic roles and responsibilities of polytechnic universities, was established by the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo President's Council of Advisors to recognize 20 years of service by President Baker and his wife Carly. On December 7, 2009, he announced his intention to retire in mid-2010.[5] He retired in July, 2010.

The Warren J. Baker Center for Science and Mathematics, which opened in 2013, is named after Baker.

• Special Collections and Archives, Kennedy Library, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo holds the records from the Office of the President, Warren J. Baker, 1960-2014.