If you were to ask Professor of Art Walt Bailey how Baker University’s campus is different from the day he first arrived here as a student in the fall of 1958, he might tell you it’s changed so much he can hardy remember.
At the same time, he could describe to you in detail how Baker has undergone two major renovations since that time and how walking the sidewalks we use today is nothing like it was back then.
“As a student here, I walked across campus in many places, not in all, on brick sidewalks,” Bailey said.
Bailey described how a roadway once ran through campus around the time Interstate Highway 35 was being built and how people use to consider the path a spur of the highway.
“(The renovations) make it almost impossible to remember what it was like when I was a student here,” Bailey said.
Bailey, who is from Baldwin City originally, said he had planned on moving away for college but ended up choosing Baker in the end for various reasons.
“I had planned to go away for college, but I decided to stay here,” Bailey said.
Bailey left Baker as a student in 1962 to pursue graduate studies at the University of Kansas, only to return as a faculty member three years later.
“It was exciting, somewhat frightening, very curious and strangely reassuring,” Bailey said.
He said many things have changed at Baker — from the campus and students to the liberal arts core and how he teaches.
“I feel like I have more or less had to reinvent myself several times throughout the years,” Bailey said.
Program Director for Art Inge Balch said she regards Bailey as an embodiment of the university.
“Walt is the oldest tenured professor on campus,” Balch said. “He got his degree here, and he’s from Baldwin. He is Baker, and he loves it.”
Balch said Bailey puts all of himself into his work at the university.
“It’s not a 9-5 job for him,” Balch said. “You can find him in the darkroom in the middle of the night and he’s always there to help. He’s proud of it.”
Bailey, who began his studies at Baker as a math major, said he believes in the objectives of a liberal arts university.
Bailey said taking a course outside his discipline called Design and Color changed his life as it helped him discover his passion for art.
“My eyes were opened considerably,” Bailey said.
Bailey said the broad perspectives offered in the liberal arts setting coincide with his own understanding of the world.
“You can continually reinvent yourself, and you should,” Bailey said.
Junior Jessica Uhler said she has taken a course with Bailey every semester she has been at Baker.
“Walt cares about academics in the classroom but also outside of the classroom,” Uhler said. “He’s very interested to know what you’re doing outside and on your own.”
Balch said Bailey expects high performance from each of his students.
“There are no shortcuts, and he wants (students) to really learn.”
Uhler described Bailey as a very hands-on teacher who also learned from his students.
She said Bailey encourages students to learn from what they do, not just how to do it.
“He teaches you by letting you make your own mistakes,” Uhler said. “But he’ll be there to watch to make sure you don’t burn down the building or anything.”
Bailey said he plans to stay at Baker until he feels it’s time for him to leave.
“Someday maybe I’ll get it all right, and they’ll let me put my tassel on the other side and graduate,” Bailey said.
Bailey at BakerFirst came to Baker as a student in 1958Graduated in 1962Attended graduate school at the University of KansasReturned in 1965 as a professor2008 will mark 50th year at Baker