Baker School Hosts Baker Staffer Reunion
April 12 & 13, 2024, will be remembered as important days in the influence and impact of Howard H. Baker, Jr.
Over the two-days, the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs was officially transformed into a school, fulfilling a longtime hope of the Tennessee statesmen to graduate students with an interest in public service. Former staffers of Senator Baker, who worked for him from 1966 to 1988, came together on the UT Knoxville campus to reflect on the impact he had on their lives.
When they gathered in the Baker School rotunda, there were faces and stories from the past that brought back more than 40 years of memories. There were hundreds of memories the Senator had captured with his camera. When it came time for a picnic, similar to those that happened annually at his home in Huntsville, there was a blue grass band and the familiar smells of Buddy’s Bar-B-Q. It was his “Center of the Universe” recreated on campus in Knoxville.
Baker School Dean Marianne Wanamaker greeted the attendees, and Cissy Baker reflected on how important family was to her dad. She shared that her father felt everyone in attendance was part of the Baker family. When it came to the Baker School, Cissy noted, “Dad always mentored young people and wanted them to be educated to be the leaders of tomorrow.”
Senator Lamar Alexander, who worked as Senator Baker’s legislative assistant, spoke of the privilege of working in the Baker era. He shared that Sen. Baker brought the two-party system to Tennessee. In doing so, attracted to public service were some of the most talented people on both sides of the aisle, and that led to good government. Many times he has been asked how Tennessee kept sending some of the most distinguished people to the top level. His answer: competition. Sen. Alexander said in today’s political climate that competition has been lost, but that is where the Baker School comes in, building these future leaders in the legacy of Senator Baker. “We know how it can be because we saw it done.”
The stories shared from the office or the campaigns by Baker alums, reminded those present of the leader that he was and the friend that he was as well.
Pat Butler relayed the magic and power of Senator Baker, recalling that President Joe Biden told him that Senator Baker was “the best Senate Majority leader he had worked with and a special kind of person.” At the time of Sen. Baker’s funeral some 10 years ago, then Vice President Biden attended, not to speak but to simply as a show of respect.
Longtime friend and pilot Lonnie Strunk shared two stories, one in which he was asked to speak in honor of the Senator when he became majority leader at what Strunk called “one of the fanciest things he had ever seen.” The other was when the plane carrying Sen. Baker and several others, had to circle the airport with one occupant worried there was not enough liquid refreshment to go around again.
Dan Crippen, who worked with Senator Baker as Senate Majority leader and President Reagan’s Chief of Staff, said, “Seeing everyone here reminds me of the breadth of Howard Baker’s impact, not just on his policy but on our lives.”
Former Secretary of United States Senate Emily Reynolds, who began her political career with Senator Baker, remembered him as a quiet man but one who loved character. She said that he attracted big characters because they were well-rounded people, but most importantly, those who were with him had respect and passion for the Institute of the Senate. She recalled the night and days after Senator Baker became Senate Majority Leader, “We were so busy, but it was also so much fun.”
Daniel Baker, the grandson of Senator Baker, spoke on the opportunities he had growing up and sitting on the floor of the Tennessee House of Representatives as his grandfather prepared to cast an elector vote for George W. Bush. He said, “With the opening of the Baker School, I could not be more pleased or proud of the continuation of my grandfather’s legacy and of giving students the opportunities that I had.”
The theme of this Baker staff reunion -the Center of the Universe – reminded those in attendance that his Tennessee roots mattered. Tom Griscom, a Baker staffer, recalled that when they would go back to Huntsville for a weekend, Senator Baker simply became Howard or “H.” When he was there, you would never know he was a Senator, Majority Leader, or Chief of Staff. He was comfortable in his own skin.
In honor of the legacy of Senator Baker, a Center of the Universe scholarship fund has been established to support students who aspire to become great public leaders.