Merl Baker of Lexington, Ky., engineering management and educational consultant. Baker earned a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1945. He received master of science and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from Purdue University in 1948 and 1952, respectively. A former UMR chancellor and special assistant to the president of the University of Missouri System, Baker has been a professor of engineering and engineering management and director for the Center for Professional Career Enhancement at the University of Tennessee. His career also included serving as provost for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and energy management specialist for Union Carbide Corp. at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.