Building Type: Mixed Use
Campus Green: College Green
Grid Map Square: G-4
Current Use
To reach Baker University Center from Richland Avenue, turn East onto South Green Drive, at the traffic light between the Convocation Center and Peden Stadium. Drive past Peden Stadium, and turn left after the Walter Hall parking lot, onto Oxbow Trail. Baker University Center will be on your right, after passing Emeriti Park. In addition to the expanded-scale map linked above, see also the expanded scale map for the center part of the Athletics Mall.
More information about parking near Baker University Center is also available online.
Baker University Center includes a variety of meeting and dining rooms, as well as offices for Student Affairs, Diversity Services, Catering, and Information Technology.
Portraits of past university presidents are on display in the Presidential Portrait Gallery in the pre-function area of the Baker University Center Ballroom (Fourth Floor). You may also want to examine the online collection of portraits and biographical sketches of former presidents .
More detailed information about Baker University Center is available online.
History
Construction of the new Baker University Center began in the spring of 2004. The photo above was taken July 25, 2006, when exterior work was very nearly complete.Photos taken during the later stages of the construction project are also available online (that page includes five photos, with a total download size of just over 1 MByte).
Offices from the old Baker University Center moved into the new Baker University Center during November and December, 2006, while construction was being completed. The new Baker University Center opened January 2, 2007.
John Calhoun Baker
Baker University Center is named in honor of John Calhoun Baker, the fourteenth president of Ohio University, serving from 1945 through 1961. He was educated at Juniata College and Harvard University. Under his guidence regional campuses were created, an extensive Nigerian educational program was established. Many new programs, scholarships and committees were established. The Ohio University Fund (now Foundation) was established to foster private giving and the John C. Baker Fund to support faculty improvement and research efforts. During his tenure numerous buildings, including most of the residence halls were built. Upon retirement he continued to pursue his interests in educational business and international affairs. In 1995 he returned to the campus for a gala celebration of his 100th birthday. He died in 1999.
Location
1 Park Place, Athens, OH 45701 ( Directions )
The College Green
College Green is the center of Ohio University. Notable buildings on this green include Cutler Hall, McGuffey Hall, Wilson Hall, Alden Library and Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium.
Experience Athens
People can tell you how great the Athens Campus is, but the best way to know whether it’s right for you is to see it—and experience it—for yourself.