Issue: Spring 2018 | Posted: June 1, 2018

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Baker named dean for College of Arts and Sciences

Union University has named Hunter Baker as dean for its College of Arts and Sciences.

Baker, associate professor of political science who has been serving as interim dean, joined the Union faculty in 2010 and has held a number of roles at the university, including senior associate dean of arts and sciences, dean of instruction and associate provost.

John Netland, Union’s provost who previously held the position of arts and sciences dean, said Baker brings an extraordinary and wide-ranging background to the position.

“He is an accomplished classroom teacher, an exceptional scholar, a valued mentor, an experienced administrator and an articulate advocate for Christ-centered higher education,” Netland said. “He has a keen awareness of both the challenges facing higher education and the opportunities for Christcentered, academically-excellent higher education.”

Baker earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Florida State University, his master’s degree in public administration from the University of Georgia, his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center and his Doctor of Philosophy degree in religion, politics and society from Baylor University.

Baker came to Union from Houston Baptist University, where he served as director of strategic planning, associate provost for academic affairs and assistant professor of government.

He is the author of three books – “The System Has a Soul: Essays on Christianity, Liberty, and Political Life,” “Political Thought: A Student’s Guide” and “The End of Secularism” – and has contributed articles to such publications as Christianity Today, The Federalist, The Gospel Coalition, First Things, National Review, Touchstone, Modern Age, the Journal of Law and Religion and Perspectives in Political Science, among others.

Baker is also a research fellow with the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention and an affiliate scholar of the Acton Institute.

Baker and his wife Ruth have two children, Andrew and Grace, and are members of Englewood Baptist Church.