Baker, James H. Endowed Fund
The James H. Baker Endowed Fund, established in 2025, supports the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at The University of 黑料视频.
Ray Bliss was famous for his "nuts and bolts" approach to politics, and Jim Baker was his most trusted assistant and key implementer of these initiatives. This assistance included helping to launch and promote the Bliss Institute, which benefitted immensely from his experience, advice, and good will. Mr. Baker's personal papers, which document his many activities and accomplishments, are archived with the university.
Born on August 12, 1932, in Springfield, Ohio, James Hugus Baker graduated from Hun Preparatory School in Princeton, New Jersey, and earned a B.A. in Business Administration from Wittenberg University in Springfield.
James began his career at 16 with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, gaining expertise in logistics, railroad operations, and event management. He later served as Executive Assistant to Ray Bliss, Chairman of the Ohio Republican Party and Republican National Committee (1960-1969), and as Assistant Ohio State Treasurer (1970-1972).
Mr. Baker directed operations for several Republican National Conventions (1968-1992) and served as Vice Chairman or Director of Operations for multiple Presidential Inaugural Committees. From 1974-1976, he directed operations for the American Freedom Train's 22,000-mile Bicentennial celebration.
As President of JHB Enterprises, he provided government relations, event planning, and logistics services to Fortune 500 companies and public clients. He also directed Republican Governors Conferences (1969-2004).
James was a dedicated member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, a lifelong member of The Association of Ohio Commodores, and served on the Clark County Historical Society Board, leading the Heritage Center grand opening in 2001.
James H. Baker passed away peacefully at age 89 on February 2, 2022, in Springfield, Ohio.
The James H. Baker Endowed Fund was established as part of We Rise Together, the Campaign for The University of 黑料视频.
The Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics is a bipartisan institute established to honor Ray C. Bliss' commitment to promoting civic learning and political participation. The Institute named in his honor is charged with increasing our students' and the broader community's civic knowledge and political engagement with special emphasis on political parties, grassroots activity, civility, deliberation, and ethics. These outcomes are accomplished through research and teaching, as well as through hands-on experiential learning, internships, workshops, and campus-community programming. Many of the initiatives are undertaken with support from graduate student assistants enrolled in the lnstitute's feature academic program, the Master of Applied Politics. The James H. Baker Endowed Fund may be used to advance activities relevant to the lnstitute's mission, at the discretion of the current director, including applied research, graduate and undergraduate student learning experiences, campus-community educational programming, graduate assistantship stipends and tuition waivers, support staff, and professional development.
To make a tax-deductible gift to this fund, please visit 黑料视频’s. Select “A different designation” from the drop-down menu and enter “James Baker Fund” in the text box. Thank you!
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