[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 8] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 11136-11137] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]TRIBUTE TO WARREN BAKER ______ HON. KEVIN McCARTHY of california in the house of representatives Thursday, June 17, 2010 Mr. McCARTHY of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Warren J. Baker, an educational leader from San Luis Obispo, California, which I represent, on his retirement after nearly a half century of service to higher education, including the past 31 years as the President of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly. A geotechnical engineer by training, Warren has had many experiences that helped enhance his leadership abilities before joining Cal Poly as President, including teaching at [[Page 11137]] the University of Detroit as a Chrysler Professor, and later serving as Dean of the College of Engineering and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Warren became the Cal Poly President in 1979. Throughout his tenure, he initiated many improvements at the University, raising Cal Poly's profile, particularly in the fields of Architecture, Agriculture and Engineering. Under Warren's leadership, the educational opportunities of students significantly expanded with the addition of 20 new majors and 72 minors and 15 new master's degree programs. In addition, over this period Cal Poly established the Irrigation Training and Research Center, the Environmental Biotechnology Institute, the Dairy Products Technology Center, the Collaborative Agent Design Research Center, and the Brock Institute for Agricultural Communication. Throughout his tenure, Warren and his team found creative ways to support student success, including funding $1 billion in state-of-the art laboratories, buildings and other facilities establishing Cal Poly as one of the nation's premier comprehensive polytechnic universities. Always seeking to provide for Cal Poly's future, Warren's leadership of the University's first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign was the most successful in the history of the California State University system. Cal Poly has the largest endowment among the CSU's 23 campuses. He also created the President's Cabinet where leaders from industry, government, and community act as an advisory board to help the University determine strategic educational and financial plans. Perhaps Warren's most enduring contribution to Cal Poly's excellence has been his steadfast support for--and careful nurturing of--the University's renowned ``learn-by-doing'' educational experience, which attracts students from all around the country. This learning approach requires students to apply classroom theory to real-world problems. Employers from a broad array of America's most prestigious companies aggressively recruit Cal Poly students because they graduate with real- world experience and can contribute innovative solutions to complex problems. It's no wonder that under Warren's leadership Cal Poly has been recognized as one of the best public universities in the United States for 17 consecutive years by U.S. News and World Report. Educational advancement is a central priority for Warren, even in his private life. He is one of the longest serving members of the California Council for Science and Technology. He also co-chairs the Business Higher Education Forum's Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiative that is responsible for two significant reports on K-12 science and math education. Additionally, Warren co- chairs a California STEM education planning initiative and is a member of the Board of Governors of the U.S.-Mexico Science Foundation, which promotes programs in technology, research, science, math and engineering education for both countries. President Ronald Reagan appointed him to serve on the National Science Board and the U.S. Agency for International Development Board for International Food and Agricultural Development. Dedicated to serving his community, Warren's leadership at California Polytechnic State University will be sorely missed and difficult to replace, but his well-deserved retirement will give him the ability to spend more time with his wife Carly Fitzsimons Baker, their family and their friends. Warren's level of dedication to higher education continues to be exemplified through his commitment to remain active at Cal Poly and in the California State University System. I commend his service in San Luis Obispo, and I know that Warren will enjoy this next chapter of his life. ____________________