Baker University history

Originally built in 1864, the chapel brought unique historical elements to an already historically-prevalent campus.

Pulliam Hall has served a variety of purposes since it was built in 1868.

Ebright also noted a unique fact that impacted earlier library holdings, in that the university had a mortgage foreclosure in the summer of 1871 that resulted in the school auctioning off its college bell, pianos and library books.

Baker University’s class of 1891 began the tradition of naming itself and at graduation bequeathing its title to the incoming freshman class.

Formed in 1892 and patterned after early American government

Formed in 1893 and patterned after the Roman Senate

Formed in 1894 and patterned after the “dwellers of Mount Parnassus,” or the Greeks, Tennyson’s Idylls of the King and Malory’s King Arthur and His Knights

The Hanover class of 1895 started the custom of publishing a college annual.

Official yell of the first class of 1897: Io! Ho!, Nihil Umquam, Vincet Classem, Nonaginta Septem, Io! Ho!

Case Hall was built in 1907 and acted as the university library, in addition to housing faculty, staff and the occasional classroom.

Ebright details the importance of Taylor Hall in that its front steps were the location of President William Howard Taft’s speech when he visited Baker’s campus in 1911.

Early gifts to the University: Big clock in the gymnasium tower, bell tower west of Old Science Hall, cement tennis court, and a large gift in 1930 on the Million Dollar Endowment Campaign

The Era of Global War covers world history from late 19th century to 1945, especially the era encompassing the First and Second World Wars.

As the university grew, it came time for a new library, resulting in the 1960 building of Collins Library.

As DeCaro explained, this was in memory of the students lost in battle during WWII. In 1972, the building was remodeled with the monetary help of the Mabee family, changing the structure’s name to Mabee Memorial Hall.

The School of Professional and Graduate Studies was formed in 1988.

The School of Nursing was formed in 1991 when Baker entered into a cooperative agreement with Stormont-Vail Regional Medical Center, now known as Stormont Vail Health, in Topeka.

According to the Baker University website, the Clarice L. Osborne Memorial Chapel was moved to Baldwin City in 1996.