August 12, 2002
Contact: Robert Lowery (509-963-1487/fax 509-963-2301/e-mail: loweryr@cwu.edu)
ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Following an extended nationwide search, Central Washington University President Jerilyn S. McIntyre announced today (MONDAY, AUG. 12) that Dr. Paul Baker, assistant vice president for university advancement at Northern Arizona University, will become CWU’s vice president for university relations on Sept. 1, subject to the approval of the university’s board of trustees.
Baker was among five finalists for the position, selected from a pool of 55 applicants, who were screened by a university search committee comprised of faculty, staff and community members.
“Dr. Baker has outstanding qualifications for the wide variety of areas he will oversee as vice president for university relations,” McIntyre says. “His references also cited his excellent interpersonal skills. I’m delighted that he will join us and complete our new administrative team.”
The vice president of university relations manages CWU’s alumni relations, development, foundation, marketing and public relations functions.
“Dr. Baker has also expressed a desire to become quickly involved with the community,” McIntyre adds.
Baker has more than seven years of senior-level professional fundraising experience, involvement in two major campaigns and in excess of 20 years work experience in senior marketing and management positions. His professional experience includes higher education fund raising, marketing management, communications, new product planning, market research, training, strategic planning and consulting experience with the U.S. Small Business Institute and his own consulting and graphic design firm, “Words and Graphics, Inc.,” which he sold in 1993.
Baker earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology, in 1971, at the State University of New York (SUNY) College at Brockport; his master’s of business administration, in 1981, at Nichols College, Worcester, Mass.; and his Ph.D. in educational administration and management, in 1998, at SUNY at Buffalo.
Baker replaces Jen Gray, who has resumed her post as the university’s director of planned giving and development operations. She has served on an interim basis since Oct. 1, 1999.
“I want to express my deep appreciation to Jen Gray for her exemplary service as interim vice president,” McIntyre says.
