She was born and raised in Louisiana but has spent much of her life in Kansas. She teaches communication classes by day and directs the Baker Speech Choir at night. She is an ordained reverend and is said to be an important part of many students’ lives at Baker.

“I came up (to Kansas) to go to school, and while up here I really fell in love with the place,” Professor of Communication Susan Emel said. “I was hoping to, as one of my friends put it, ‘get a job at a school like Baker,’ and then that happened. It was sort of unexpected.”

Emel has earned degrees from Kansas State University, the University of Kansas and St. Paul School of Theology. She has worked at Baker since 1994.

“Doctor Emel has a lot of knowledge to offer people,” freshman Speech Choir member Carolina Ramirez said. “It’s really fun to have these different bits just come out. She is very knowledgeable about lots of different things.”

Other students enjoy her teaching style.

“She is engaging and really fun and not straight by the book,” senior Speech Choir member Lexi Nyoni said. “She is very good at listening.”

Emel goes by several different titles around campus, including professor of communication studies, Ernestine Susannah Buckley chair, director of the BU Speech Choir and chair of the Department of History, Culture & Society.

“Susan plays a huge part in the Baker community,” Ramirez said. “She is always taking part in something dealing with the greater good of Baker.”

Emel especially enjoys BU’s small community and class size because she gets to know students on a personal basis. Her least favorite part of working as a professor is grading.

“Everyone likes to suggest that I have control over that, but the thing is people wouldn’t be happy if they didn’t get grades,” said Emel. “They are paying money to achieve those, so I do have to do that.”

Emel’s bubbly personality and happy spirit is well known across campus.

“Emel has a great sense of humor.” said Ramirez. “You can always be yourself around her.”

Nyoni agrees, adding, “You can just be who you are and express who you are.”

Ramirez hopes that Emel’s impact on Baker will continue for many more years.

“I hope that Susan will never leave,” Ramirez said. “She is such an inspiration for me and to many other students as well.”