On Thursday afternoon, American University gathered inside Kay Spiritual Life Center to dedicate the newly named Linda A. and H. Kent Baker School of Education, a milestone moment for the university and a deeply personal tribute to the love story that helped shape it.  

Sunlight filtered through the chapel windows as faculty, family, and friends filled the same space where Kent and Linda Baker were married in 1981. 

This is the first school naming at AU in 45 years and marks the largest gift by an individual donor in the institution’s history. But on this afternoon, the magnitude of the moment was measured less in numbers and more in memory. 

“We’re here to celebrate a love story in which all of us are privileged to play a part,” said Jonathan Alger, president of American University. “And all of us are privileged to honor that legacy through the Baker School of Education.” 

Alger’s words set the tone for a ceremony that felt as much like a tribute as it did a dedication. He described the naming not simply as an institutional milestone, but something far more intimate: “It’s a love letter to a university and to a woman who gave so much of herself to it.” 

That love was evident throughout the event, from the unveiling of the school’s new branding to the first public reveal of a commissioned portrait of Kent and Linda. Painted by artist Lillian Abensohn, the piece depicts the couple in front of Kay Spiritual Life Center, anchoring their legacy in a place that defined their beginning. Kent was able to see the portrait before his passing in January 2026, a detail that lent the moment a quiet, almost sacred weight. 

For those who knew them best, the tribute was as much about partnership as it was about philanthropy. 

“Theirs wasn’t just a long marriage. It was a very happy marriage,” said Kathlyn Baker, Kent’s sister. “They complemented and completed each other. And he wanted her to be remembered for her legacy.” 

Her voice carried both pride and gratitude as she addressed the audience. “On behalf of the families of Linda and Kent Baker, I want to say to you how proud we are to be a small part of this today,” she said. “How much we thank you for everything that you’ve done for Kent and Linda. And how much we, too, have faith in you that you will continue this legacy.” 

For five decades, H. Kent Baker served as a cornerstone of the Kogod School of Business, holding the rare distinction of both Distinguished Professor and University Professor. He led, taught, and mentored across generations, directing programs that reached far beyond campus. His final, transformational gift—made in honor of Linda, who passed away in 2024—ensures that their shared commitment to education will continue to ripple outward. 

“Through their six degrees between them and their decades of teaching, service, and stewardship, Kent and Linda embody what we mean when we talk about the Eagle spirit,” Alger said. “Public service, dedication, and the deep belief in the noble purpose of education.” 

The gift establishes permanent endowed resources for the School of Education, including its first endowed leadership chair, expanded research initiatives, strengthened community partnerships, and new scholarship opportunities for graduate students. It is, as Alger noted, an investment in the future: “This gift ensures that AU will be a leading force in training teachers for generations to come.” 

The formal dedication concluded with a proclamation officially naming the Linda A. and H. Kent Baker School of Education.  

A school now bears their name. But more than that, it carries their story. 

Watch the full dedication below.