Simon Strousse Baker

Who was Simon Strousse Baker?

Simon Strousse Baker was the 6th president of Washington & Jefferson College.

Baker, the great-great-grandson of Dr. Thaddeus Dod, the founder of Washington Academy, was born in Amwell Township, Pennsylvania on July 11, 1866. In 1892, he graduated from Washington & Jefferson College, where he played football and was a member of Phi Delta Theta. He earned a Master's degree from W&J in 1912 and a Doctor of Laws degree from University of Pittsburgh in 1922. He enjoyed playing golf, taking long walks, and reading Greek, Roman and Early American history. He frequented "many a smart Pittsburgh club" and often took his wife to opera or theatre shows in Pittsburgh.

He worked for 25 years as an associate superintendent of Pittsburgh's schools. Baker served as acting president of Washington & Jefferson following the death of Dr. Black, and he was elected president in his own right on January 26, 1922. He was inaugurated on March 29, 1922. During his tenure, the college physical plant of the college underwent extensive renovation and modernization. Modern business methods were adopted and the endowment grew considerably. Also, the college experienced advances in academics.