Hargrave Military Academy president Dr Wheeler Baker, Col USMC (ret) recently announced his plans for retirement on July 1, 2011 after the conclusion of the 2010/2011 academic year.

Dr. Baker arrived at Hargrave in January of 1997 and served as the Academy’s Chief of Staff and Provost prior to his selection as the school’s president. Dr. Baker is just the eighth president to serve the Academy since its inception in 1909.

A leader with vision, integrity and strong educational background was needed to lead Hargrave past its first 100 years, and Dr. Baker was well qualified to fill this role. One of his first critical tasks was to stabilize and then strengthen the Academy’s finances, where he excelled. Afterward, he worked quickly and progressively to position Hargrave for a brighter future, bringing Hargrave’s educational programs inline with current educational conventions and orienting the Academy towards a customer service focus.

In over a decade of service, Dr. Baker made large contributions to Hargrave’s academic effort. Several educational programs stand out.

The successful integration of educational technology into the classroom brought Hargrave in-line with what students now experience at the college level. The use of a wireless campus, networks and their resources enabled Cadets to interact with their subjects in new and often dynamic ways. Dr. Baker has also managed to keep Hargrave current with educational technology throughout his tenure, which often has not been easy.

Hargrave’s Post-Graduate academic program provides a critical “13th year” or prep year for students who need to improve their GPA, SAT scores or maturity. The program attracts a number of athletes interested in NCAA Division I basketball and football, but the program needed a educational leader who understood its purpose. Under Dr. Baker’s tenure, this program has flourished by successfully placing countless young men into college, and permitting them to pursue their athletic dreams.

Instituted for the 2001/2002 academic year, The GEN Colin Powell Center for Leadership and Ethics was established to build on Hargrave’s established ability to produce young leaders. As an academic department, the Colin Powell Center provides leadership theory, including history, the art of leadership, followership, in an educational setting were leadership skills are developed. Since its inception, the Center has been extremely popular with Cadets interested in the basic principles of leadership.

The Center for Integrated Studies (CIS) was created just a few years ago in response to both student needs and parent expectations for their sons in the 7th, 8th and 9th grade. CIS prepares young men for success in high school by providing context to educational subjects. Context is important. CIS material is presented thematically to the students. For example, the study of BP oil disaster in the Gulf would provide lessons in science (capture and clean-up), social studies (for government and leadership) and English (writing new policy and communication). Thematic topics keep the core subjects relevant for today’s middle school student. It is considered a strong curriculum.

Finally, Dr. Baker drove the effort for a College Placement department, which has maintained a 99% college acceptance rate since 2001. Several years featured 100% students accepted into college, too. Further, Hargrave’s status as a U.S. Naval Academy Foundation school as strengthened and well over 40 young men were placed in U.S. service academies.

Dr. Baker also took the long view in physically transforming the Hargrave campus for the future. Under his tenure, Sanford-Bowman and Mabry Halls were renovated. The Landon-Davenport Science Center was built, which features four modern science labs, four new classrooms, an astronomy deck and a distance learning center. Other academic space was completely renovated in Cosby and Floyd Halls. The Landon Tennis Center, an award winning United States Tennis Association facility, and the expansive Rogers-Fuller Baseball Facility were constructed. Both the Simpson Parade Field, now correctly graded and irrigated, and Dick Dyer Field, a football field correctly graded, irrigated and lighted, provide new outdoor parade, soccer and football surfaces. The Walter Cox Rifle Range and the Davis Gymnasium also witnessed big transformations in usability. The John D. Smith III ’56 Dining Facility, the Randall and Jennie Wilmarth Game Room and the Col. Andrew Todd Quarterdeck were added for the Academy’s recent centennial, and directly improve quality of life for the Cadets.

Refurbishment to the Owen R. Cheatham Chapel tower is next on the list.

“The success of the school is directly proportional to the efforts of our faculty and staff,” said Dr. Baker. “Without that on going effort, the school would not be anywhere. I give them all the credit.”

Dr. Baker arrived at Hargrave from the University of New Mexico, where is served as the Professor of Naval Science and as commander of their Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) unit. He served a total 39 and half years with the United States Marine Corps after enlisting as a private. While Dr. Baker has a long and distinguished military record, what excites him is learning and education. He considers himself a life long learner. And at Hargrave, he is best known as an educator.

Dr. Baker, and his wife Dr. Lynn Baker, plan to remain in the area in retirement.

Proper planning and coordination with Hargrave’s Board of Trustees has permitted an efficient effort to locate Hargrave’s next president. A search firm has already been hired and finalists for the position are anticipated for early fall 2010.

Hargrave Military Academy is an all boy military school focused on college preparation. Since 1909, it is often noted for ongoing academic achievement in placing young men for college. Hargrave continually strives to better the future of its students by serving the whole person, mind, body and spirit. The Academy is affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Approximately 350 students attend the Academy annually.