President Baker served from 1892 through 1914.

An experienced and innovative educational administrator, James Baker is credited with building the University of Colorado into a full-fledged university. Strong and aggressive, he ran CU with a firm and righteous hand, but was able to share a good joke, even one on himself.

During the Baker administration, several schools and colleges were established- law, business, education, pharmacy, engineering, music, and the graduate school- and academic requirements were raised. He promoted the University around the state, insisting that CU was the head of the Colorado public school system.

However, Baker was an absent-minded man. He once drove his buggy to town, had dinner, and walked home. It was not until he sat down to dinner at home that he remembered his abandoned buggy and that he had already eaten.

His mind was apparently occupied by developing the University. Thirteen buildings were added, schools and departments were organized, enrollment increased from 66 to 1,306, and Baker was able to attract solid and illustrious faculty, increasing their numbers from 32 to over 200. Baker also drafted the University Seal bearing the motto in Greek: “Let your light shine.”

During his 22 years as President, Baker ran the institution in harmony, having earned the respect of students, faculty, regents, legislators, and the public. His retirement prompted one admirer to note, “The University of Colorado is the lengthened shadow of one man, James H. Baker.”

Baker Hall was built in 1937 and named to honor CU’s third president.

Read more about President Baker and the early history of the University of Colorado in Glory Colorado! Volume 1, by William E. Davis.