The Baker Foundation at MIT
Mission Statement: To perpetuate the memory of Dean Everett Moore Baker
"... our colleges have placed too much emphasis on the imparting and gaining of knowledge and too little on developing opportunities for the acquisition of wisdom and understanding." - Dean Baker
The late Dean Baker was known throughout the country as an outstanding educator, administrator and theologian. He had attained wide recognition in recent years as a speaker at student conferences and institutes. In August he had flown to Bombay, India, to address the annual conference of the International Student Service of which he was chairman. This organization with the cooperation of the American World Student Service Fund was instrumental in bringing foreign students to the United States for study in American institutions of higher learning.
Dr. Baker had always maintained a keen interest in the activities of young people. His own interest in outdoor activities and sports led to his association with boys' camps early in his career, a field in which he remained active until his death.
A graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy, and Dartmouth College, class of 1924, Dean Baker undertook graduate work at the Harvard Divinity School, completing his studies there in 1929. In 1937, he was elected Vice President of the American Unitarian Association, following a period of active church work throughout New England. In addition to general administrative work, he directed the publishing business of the Unitarian denomination and its fund raising campaign.
Before coming to the Institute in 1947, Dean Baker served as minister of the First Unitarian Church of Cleveland, Ohio. In Cleveland he acted as Chairman of the Unitarian War Service Council under whose auspices he edited and published a book of readings for men and women in the service entitled "Think on These Things." Over three million copies of the book were distributed to men and women in the armed forces. Dr. Baker was president of the Unitarian Ministerial Union from 1944 to 1949, and had been a member of the board of directors of the American Unitarian Association for several years. In 1948 he was elected to a one-year term as president of the Dartmouth Alumni Association.
Under Dean Baker's guidance the Office of the Dean of Students expanded its authority and responsibility in all aspects of student welfare. Both the athletic program and the system of student government received special attention and attained their proper place in the undergraduate program.
Long Term Initiatives
The Baker Foundation takes part in multi-year projects to improve particular aspects of the MIT community. One of our long term partners is the PKG foundation.
Baker Fellowships
Baker Fellows are MIT students who choose to work on sustainable community service projects that build capacity for underserved communities locally, nationally, or internationally.
Projects
The Foundation elicits student initiatives that enhance the undergraduate experience. Apply for funding below.
Teaching Award
The Everett Moore Baker Memorial Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching is presented to faculty members, in recognition of exceptional interest and ability in the instruction of undergraduates. This is the only teaching award in which the nomination and selection of the recipients is done entirely by the students. The award is given in memory of Everett Moore Baker, Dean of Students from 1947-1950.
Check out this MIT News article regarding the most recent recipient, Professor Amah Edoh.
Recent Recipients
- 2022: Professor Moe Win, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
- 2021: Professor Edmund Bertschinger, Department of Physics
- 2020: Professor Amah Edoh, Department of HASTS
- 2019: Professor Ibrahim Cissé, Department of Physics
- 2018: Professor Anna Mikusheva, Department of Economics
- 2017: Professor Tracy Slatyer, Department of Physics
- 2016: Professor Srinivas Devadas, EECS
- 2015: Professor Tonio Buonassisi, Mechanical Engineering
- 2014: Professor William A. Tisdale
- 2013: Professor Allan Adams, Department of Physics
- 2012: Professor Edward M. Greitzer, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
- 2011: Professor Krishna Rajagopal, Department of Physics
Past Recipients:
Nominate Someone Today!
Nominate a professor here: http://awards.mit.edu.
Click on the application on the right to download the funding application.
Find the reimbursement form here
Drop off post-event information: Google Form.
Emily Cheng (Chair)
Year: 2024
Major: Mathematics with Computer Science (18C)
Living Group: Theta
Fun fact: I've seen Mt. Everest!
Whats important to me about the Baker Foundation: I love how we have the privilege to hear about and catalyze student-initiated projects that will improve student life. I thoroughly enjoy meeting fellow undergraduates and helping them bring their innovative ideas to life!
Saketh Gabbita (Chair)
Year: 2024
Major: EECS (6-2) and Mathematics (18)
Living Group: Zeta Beta Tau
Fun fact: I watched the entirety of Friends in two weeks.
What's important to me about the Baker Foundation: It's very rewarding to see members of our community come up with spicy, new ideas to improve undergraduate life. I also enjoy meeting others through these avenues.
Aaliya Hussain (Treasurer)
Year: 2025
Major: Management (15-1)
Living Group: iHouse
Fun fact: I love cardio!
What's important to me about the Baker Foundation: The Baker Foundation gives students an avenue to directly shape MIT for the better and make their creative ideas a reality.
Evelyn Delarosa (Historian)
Year: 2025
Major: EECS (6-2)
Living Group: Off Campus
Fun fact: One of my first concussions came when I raced brakeless fixed-gear bikes at the Brooklyn Red Hook Crit
What's important to me about the Baker Foundation: The Baker Foundation seeks to elevate undergraduate life and it is evident that the undergraduates at MIT benefit greatly from the existence of BF.
Vin Baker (Publicist)
Year: 2026
Major: AI and Decision Making (6-4)
Living Group: Maseeh Hall
Fun fact: I love mint chocolate chip ice cream.
What's important to me about the Baker Foundation: The Baker Foundation is a dynamic organization dedicated to enhancing the MIT undergraduate experience through empowerment and innovation.
Michael 'Mikey' Santoro (Advisor)
Department: Office of the First Year
Living Group: Off-Campus
Fun fact: I high-fived Taylor Swift once.
What's important to me about the Baker Foundation: The Baker Foundation allows for student’s voices to be heard and gives funding to great, engaging, and empowering events and projects that help make the MIT community stronger. It truly is a hidden gem of MIT!
Professor William Tisdale (Advisor)
Department: Chemical Engineering
Living Group: Off-Campus
Fun fact: Really wants to go to Disneyworld!
What's important to me about the Baker Foundation: I enjoy meeting students from across campus and from different majors who are all passionate about making MIT a warmer, friendlier, and more fun place to be.
You can email us at baker-foundation@mit.edu.