Secretary Baker to Join Rice University

Contact: Michael Berryhill
Phone: (713) 527-4929

Secretary Baker to Join Rice University

Charles Duncan, chairman of the Rice University Board of
Governors, announced today that the university intends to create the
James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy,Ênamed for the
nation’s 61st Secretary of State. Duncan also announced that the
former Secretary of State has been elected to the Rice Board of
Governors. The 19-member board serves as the governing body for Rice
University in Houston, Texas.

"Secretary Baker will actively participate in the institute that
bears his name-through endeavors such as giving lectures, chairing
conferences, and helping guide the development of the institute,"
said Duncan.

Secretary Baker said, "I am deeply honored by this action of
Rice University and look forward to continuing the active
involvement of the Baker family with Rice. I believe that this
institute can contribute significantly to the intellectual dialogue
about public policy and thereby to the improvement of public
policy."

The mission of the Baker Institute will be to foster and
disseminate research on issues of public policy. The institute will
bring together academicians and individuals outside academic
institutions who have made, implemented or observed public policy at
close hand. The new institute will further develop Rice University’s
existing institutes, centers and departments, including those in the
School of Social Sciences, the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of
Administration and the Department of History. The Baker Institute
will include a range of programs that will reach out to the
community to supplement its educational and research objectives.

The Baker family has long been associated with Rice University.
Baker’s grandfather was indispensable in the founding of the
university and served as its first board chairman from 1891 through
1941. Secretary Baker has already designated Rice University as the
depository for the personal and professional papers related to his
many years in politics and public service.

Secretary Baker has served in government under presidents Ford,
Reagan and Bush. During 1975-76, he served as Under Secretary of
Commerce under President Ford. During the 1981-85 period, he served
as White House Chief of Staff for President Reagan and then
continued as the 67th Secretary of the Treasury during 1985-88. More
recently, from January 1989 to August 1992, Mr. Baker was the
nation’s 61st Secretary of State in the administration of President
Bush. Most recently, Baker is concluding his service with President
Bush as Chief of Staff and Senior Counselor to the President of the
United States.

In announcing the appointment, Mr. Duncan also stated, "We are
very fortunate to have Mr. Baker join our board at this time. His
experience and background will add another dimension to the
continuing development of the university and the Baker Institute."

Rice president George Rupp commented, "Mr. Baker’s membership on
our board and his participation in the Baker Institute will again
involve the Baker family in the continuing evolution of the
university. We welcome the experience and the energy he is
committing to both these endeavors."

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