An Interview with Father Baker
On Wednesday, November 8th Sal Lenzo ’27 and I had the opportunity to interview our newly appointed president Fr. Baker, S.J. We discussed topics from his early childhood to becoming Loyola’s new president. We also discussed more lighthearted topics such as our opinions on spicy buff and the upcoming Turkey Bowl. Finally, we delved into future plans for our school and when Fr. Baker will officially move to Maryland.
Q: When did you realize you wanted to become a priest?
A: I actually didn’t realize until I joined the Jesuits. I joined the Jesuits to be a Jesuit, and it seemed like priesthood was something that came along with it. After taking vows I was in Philosophy class and my uncle passed away suddenly. I did a lot of planning for the funeral; I gave the eulogy, and it was at that moment when I realized that this is where I want to be.
Q: When you were a teenager, where did you see yourself at this age?
A: Honestly, I would have never imagined myself here today. I was just like every other kid, I wanted to get married, have kids. I even thought about law school at one point—I hung on to that idea until college. Even when I entered the Jesuits at the age of 24, my friends and even my family were surprised at what I wanted to do.
Q: When did you want to join the Jesuits?
A: I knew I wanted to apply but didn’t know if I would be accepted. I was living in Ireland at the time for my first master’s—I had already completed my undergrad. I was teaching for a year, and I was enrolled for a master’s program for criminology. I was living in this little town in the middle of the country. I lived in this very basic apartment with no television, as this was before everyone had the internet on their phones, so I just read a lot. I thought about life and the idea of being a Jesuit kind of came and went but I knew that if I was going to try that I should do it now. The application process was long and thorough, and I admittedly thought they weren’t going to let me in at first, but I was wrong!
Q: How has Ignatian Spirituality affected your career path?
A: My first real connection with Ignatian spirituality was with retreats in high school. They were simply foundational. They were earth-shattering experiences, and those retreats are based on the spiritual exercises. I realized that they affected the relationships with not only myself but with my friends and family. Doing full spiritual exercises when I was a novice was incredible. Doing parts of these exercises every summer for my own retreat for the past 20 years and doing the full exercises again in Africa last year was foundational to who I am.
Q: Who was the first person you called when you found out you got the job?
A: I first called my parents. Mr. Cahill ’81 called me and asked me if I would take the job to which I responded yes. I initially couldn’t tell anybody because he wanted to let the school community know first so I said “Dan, I have to call and tell my parents”. He agreed so I called them both and it was great. That night I went out to dinner with a close Jesuit friend, and we had a great celebration.
Q: Have you tried the spicy buff and, if so, what is your opinion on it?
A: I unfortunately have not. I’ve only had food from Sage once and that was just a salad. When I am back here next week, I will definitely give it a try!
Q: How has your experience been at Loyola thus far and have you talked to any students yet?
A: It’s been amazing. I haven’t had the chance to talk to many students yet. I only came down for my interview, so I talked to some students then, and then I spent a little time with some students for my introduction, and now this interview with you guys. This is only my third time here though, so I look forward to meeting many new students. Even today my train was late, so I got off the train, put my stuff here, then had a meeting with Mr. Trice and Mr. Robinson. I then went to the chapel, had another meeting with Mr. Robinson and now this interview with you guys. Tomorrow I’m flying to Cincinnati for a wedding then back to New York. I’m back here next week and I finally officially move here on November 30th.
Q: Looking ahead, what kind of plans do you have for our school?
A: We have to make sure that we continue to be Catholic, that we continue to be Jesuit, and that we continue to be excellent, those are my three main goals. I have to guard the Catholic mission of the school and help others do that as well, I have to make sure that everything we do is infused with Ignatian Spirituality, and we have to be excellent. Whether this is through our teaching, learning, fundraising, on stage, in sports, clubs, we have to be excellent and it’s my job to help make sure that we’re doing that.
Q: On the subject of Ignatian Spirituality, do you have a favorite Grad-at-Grad goal?
A: I don’t think I have a favorite. I think you have to have them all together. They don’t exist separately, the profile of the Grad-at-Grad is a joint effort, it’s like a harmony.
After interviewing Fr. Baker, it became apparent that he will lead our institution in the right direction. His enthusiasm in his answers as well as his confidence in what he was saying left an impact on both me and Sal. As of January, Fr. Baker will be working on campus daily, eager to meet the many students that make up our amazing community.
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Q: When did you realize you wanted to become a priest?
A: I actually didn’t realize until I joined the Jesuits. I joined the Jesuits to be a Jesuit, and it seemed like priesthood was something that came along with it. After taking vows I was in Philosophy class and my uncle passed away suddenly. I did a lot of planning for the funeral; I gave the eulogy, and it was at that moment when I realized that this is where I want to be.
Q: When you were a teenager, where did you see yourself at this age?
A: Honestly, I would have never imagined myself here today. I was just like every other kid, I wanted to get married, have kids. I even thought about law school at one point—I hung on to that idea until college. Even when I entered the Jesuits at the age of 24, my friends and even my family were surprised at what I wanted to do.
Q: When did you want to join the Jesuits?
A: I knew I wanted to apply but didn’t know if I would be accepted. I was living in Ireland at the time for my first master’s—I had already completed my undergrad. I was teaching for a year, and I was enrolled for a master’s program for criminology. I was living in this little town in the middle of the country. I lived in this very basic apartment with no television, as this was before everyone had the internet on their phones, so I just read a lot. I thought about life and the idea of being a Jesuit kind of came and went but I knew that if I was going to try that I should do it now. The application process was long and thorough, and I admittedly thought they weren’t going to let me in at first, but I was wrong!
Q: How has Ignatian Spirituality affected your career path?
A: My first real connection with Ignatian spirituality was with retreats in high school. They were simply foundational. They were earth-shattering experiences, and those retreats are based on the spiritual exercises. I realized that they affected the relationships with not only myself but with my friends and family. Doing full spiritual exercises when I was a novice was incredible. Doing parts of these exercises every summer for my own retreat for the past 20 years and doing the full exercises again in Africa last year was foundational to who I am.
Q: Who was the first person you called when you found out you got the job?
A: I first called my parents. Mr. Cahill ’81 called me and asked me if I would take the job to which I responded yes. I initially couldn’t tell anybody because he wanted to let the school community know first so I said “Dan, I have to call and tell my parents”. He agreed so I called them both and it was great. That night I went out to dinner with a close Jesuit friend, and we had a great celebration.
Q: Have you tried the spicy buff and, if so, what is your opinion on it?
A: I unfortunately have not. I’ve only had food from Sage once and that was just a salad. When I am back here next week, I will definitely give it a try!
Q: How has your experience been at Loyola thus far and have you talked to any students yet?
A: It’s been amazing. I haven’t had the chance to talk to many students yet. I only came down for my interview, so I talked to some students then, and then I spent a little time with some students for my introduction, and now this interview with you guys. This is only my third time here though, so I look forward to meeting many new students. Even today my train was late, so I got off the train, put my stuff here, then had a meeting with Mr. Trice and Mr. Robinson. I then went to the chapel, had another meeting with Mr. Robinson and now this interview with you guys. Tomorrow I’m flying to Cincinnati for a wedding then back to New York. I’m back here next week and I finally officially move here on November 30th.
Q: Looking ahead, what kind of plans do you have for our school?
A: We have to make sure that we continue to be Catholic, that we continue to be Jesuit, and that we continue to be excellent, those are my three main goals. I have to guard the Catholic mission of the school and help others do that as well, I have to make sure that everything we do is infused with Ignatian Spirituality, and we have to be excellent. Whether this is through our teaching, learning, fundraising, on stage, in sports, clubs, we have to be excellent and it’s my job to help make sure that we’re doing that.
Q: On the subject of Ignatian Spirituality, do you have a favorite Grad-at-Grad goal?
A: I don’t think I have a favorite. I think you have to have them all together. They don’t exist separately, the profile of the Grad-at-Grad is a joint effort, it’s like a harmony.
After interviewing Fr. Baker, it became apparent that he will lead our institution in the right direction. His enthusiasm in his answers as well as his confidence in what he was saying left an impact on both me and Sal. As of January, Fr. Baker will be working on campus daily, eager to meet the many students that make up our amazing community.
