A Successful and Monumental Career on the Hilltop
By Lindsay Anderson
After three-plus decades on the Hilltop, marketing professor Dr. Robert Baer will retire after a career full of scholarly and professional achievements.
Baer joined Bradley in 1984. After visiting the campus, he loved what he saw, loved Bradley and loved the Foster College of Business. Baer felt like his roots were here on the Hilltop.
Baer taught a wide range of courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level. In addition, he was an active participant in the College’s executive education programs. Baer also received the Caterpillar New Faculty Achievement Award for Teaching.
Academically, he authored over 30 scholarly papers that have appeared in leading journals and made numerous presentations in front of academics and professionals. On behalf of Bradley, he traveled extensively to China, India and Russia, extending the College’s international programs and was part of a Bradley team that helped establish the International Market Institute in Samara, Russia.
As marketing department chair, Baer was always encouraging and looking for great opportunities for people.
“I had the opportunity to build the department and hire great faculty such as Dr. Mitch Griffin and Dr. Donna Hill,” he said. “Seeing the department turn into one of the strongest departments of the College was gratifying.”
Faculty offered kind words reflecting on Baer’s career.
“I feel fortunate to have been recruited by Rob many years ago to join the Bradley University family,” Griffin said. “Rob has been more than my boss – he is a mentor and friend. He has provided valuable guidance throughout my career at Bradley and been instrumental in my success as a university professor. He will be missed, both as a colleague and friend, but his legacy to Bradley University and the Peoria community will live on through the many programs he helped create and people who knew him.”
“Rob was both the catalyst and leader of creating a culture that values both teaching and research in the marketing department,” Dr. Matt O’Brien said. “Prior to his leading the way in this regard, we had been a very good teaching school, but not as nearly respected in research. His guidance led us to where we are today. His endeavors in strategic hires and rewarding research productivity (while not neglecting teaching) still resonates and will in the future, despite him being gone. In short, he significantly improved the profile of the department and college and the working environment with long lasting changes and is leaving the place better than when he found it.”
Baer’s ability to lead others in a collaborative and open style as chair and Associate Dean in the College led to a unanimous decision by the search committee to recommend Rob as college Dean in 2000. By that time, the College had become known as an innovative and nationally-ranked College of Business.
Under his watch as Dean, the College achieved reaccreditation from AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Business Schools), expanded and grew in international activities, welcomed record numbers of students through increased enrollments, launched the Executive MBA program and expanded the professional centers.
“Rob built a strong culture that valued the special place where he worked,” Dr. Ed Bond said. “He taught me that being committed to a vision is critical to building a strong culture. And Rob was loyal to his people, he did everything in his power to help them be successful. He was open and intellectually honest and trusted that people could innovate and create value.”
"Rob has been monumental in making significant and impactful improvements to the Foster College of Business and to our Marketing Department," said Foster College Dean Dr. Darrell Radson. "As department chair, a professor or Dean, with each role he strived to make the College better and ensure our utmost commitment to our students. The Foster College of Business and Bradley University will miss Rob and all that he has done in his 31 years on the Hilltop. We wish him all the best."
As he retires, Baer plans to spend more time with his wife, Becky. They are building a home near grandchildren in South Carolina.
“I’ve been here 31 years at Bradley University and have continued to see the University get better and better, stronger and stronger, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” Baer said. “I’m grateful for the all the opportunities and experiences Bradley has given me throughout my career.”
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