Delbert Baker
Encyclopedia
Delbert W. Baker is a Seventh-day Adventist
minister, author, educator, and administrator. He is currently a vice president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
.
. He holds a BA in Ministerial Theology from Oakwood University, a Masters of Divinity from Andrews University
, and a PhD in Communications from Howard University
. He is married to the former Susan Lee, a physical therapist and educator. The couple has three adult sons: David, Benjamin and Jonathan.
and Medical Center (1992–1996).
Baker most recently served as the president of Oakwood University from 1996-2010. Under his leadership the University experienced significant growth including: increased enrollment; enlarged land holdings; construction and/or purchase of five major facilities; major renovations on numerous campus structures; and development of a comprehensive award-winning technology network. Fund-raising efforts were also remarkable with more than $50 million raised through donations and grants. During his tenure the campus received awards for academics, campus beauty, and community service. For the last twelve years Oakwood University has been listed in US News and World Report as among the best colleges in the Southern region.
As pastor, professor, administrator, and president, Baker has attained distinction. He has served on the board of directors of more than ten organizations: among them, the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, and the Adventist Health System. Additionally, he was on the White House Advisory for HBCUs
for five years; testified before several congressional committees; and received awards from the White House, UNCF
, Alumnus of the Year from his alma mater, and many civic and educational organizations.
He has authored over twenty books, most notably The Unknown Prophet, From Exile to Prime Minister, and Telling the Story, and written over 500 articles.
Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ...
minister, author, educator, and administrator. He is currently a vice president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is the governing organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, where it moved in 1989...
.
Education and Family
Baker was born in 1953 in Oakland, CaliforniaOakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
. He holds a BA in Ministerial Theology from Oakwood University, a Masters of Divinity from Andrews University
Andrews University
Andrews University is a Seventh-day Adventist university in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1874 as Battle Creek College in Battle Creek, Michigan, it was the first higher education facility started by Seventh-day Adventists, and is the flagship university of the Seventh-day...
, and a PhD in Communications from Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
. He is married to the former Susan Lee, a physical therapist and educator. The couple has three adult sons: David, Benjamin and Jonathan.
Career
Baker's professional experience includes ten years of pastoring (1975–1985), seven years as editor of Message (1985–1992), and four years as Vice President and Professor of Religion at Loma Linda UniversityLoma Linda University
Loma Linda University is a Seventh-day Adventist coeducational health sciences university located in Loma Linda, California, United States. The University comprises eight schools and the Faculty of Graduate Studies...
and Medical Center (1992–1996).
Baker most recently served as the president of Oakwood University from 1996-2010. Under his leadership the University experienced significant growth including: increased enrollment; enlarged land holdings; construction and/or purchase of five major facilities; major renovations on numerous campus structures; and development of a comprehensive award-winning technology network. Fund-raising efforts were also remarkable with more than $50 million raised through donations and grants. During his tenure the campus received awards for academics, campus beauty, and community service. For the last twelve years Oakwood University has been listed in US News and World Report as among the best colleges in the Southern region.
As pastor, professor, administrator, and president, Baker has attained distinction. He has served on the board of directors of more than ten organizations: among them, the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, and the Adventist Health System. Additionally, he was on the White House Advisory for HBCUs
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Historically black colleges and universities are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before 1964 with the intention of serving the black community....
for five years; testified before several congressional committees; and received awards from the White House, UNCF
United Negro College Fund
The United Negro College Fund is an American philanthropic organization that fundraises college tuition money for black students and general scholarship funds for 39 private historically black colleges and universities. The UNCF was incorporated on April 25, 1944 by Frederick D. Patterson , Mary...
, Alumnus of the Year from his alma mater, and many civic and educational organizations.
He has authored over twenty books, most notably The Unknown Prophet, From Exile to Prime Minister, and Telling the Story, and written over 500 articles.
Marathoning
Baker has completed marathons on all seven continents and the North Pole and 35 of the 50 states in the U.S. As Oakwood President, he ran marathons to raise funds for student scholarships in a program that raised more than $500,000 in a scholarship endowment.See also
- General Conference of Seventh-day AdventistsGeneral Conference of Seventh-day AdventistsThe General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is the governing organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, where it moved in 1989...
- Oakwood University
- Seventh-day Adventist ChurchSeventh-day Adventist ChurchThe Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ...
- Loma Linda UniversityLoma Linda UniversityLoma Linda University is a Seventh-day Adventist coeducational health sciences university located in Loma Linda, California, United States. The University comprises eight schools and the Faculty of Graduate Studies...
- Historically black colleges and universitiesHistorically Black Colleges and UniversitiesHistorically black colleges and universities are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before 1964 with the intention of serving the black community....