Dean Peter H. Baker: 50 Years of Giving

It all began with philosophy. Sr. Edmund Harvey, former dean at MMC, was taking a course with Fr. Daniel Berrigan at Fordham University, where Peter received his master’s degree. Sr. Edmund needed to hire a philosophy teacher, and Peter came recommended by Fr. Berrigan; thus, Peter started his long teaching career at MMC as a member of the department of philosophy, where he still holds the rank of associate professor. 

Peter currently serves the College as vice president for institutional research and planning. Furthermore, over his lengthy MMC career, Peter twice served as the acting chief academic officer (1970 and 1998) for MMC. Outside the College, Peter is a serving brother of the Order of St. John. Between 1988 and 2005 he directed a state-funded science/math program for minority youth in cooperation with a community organization, Settlement College Readiness. He served on its Board from 1992 and as chair from 2002 until 2008. As board chair he oversaw the merger of the organization with Union Settlement Association and served on the Board there from 2008 until 2010.

His gift to MMC is in the form of a bequest. Peter says of his gift: “It is a remarkable college, staffed by some of the most creative and dedicated educators I have ever known.” This gift is in memory of his colleagues. As he says, many individuals influenced his decision to give to MMC, most notably Joseph Clancy, a former MMC faculty colleague, and former MMC presidents Regina Peruggi and Sr. Colette Mahoney, RSHM. 

While it may be true, as famous philosopher and Peter’s favorite René Descartes has said, “I think, therefore I am.” At age 72, Peter has also shown that it could just as well be said, “I am grateful, therefore I give.”

Published: August 05, 2013