CCRI To Name Johnston Resident As Honorary Alumna On April 1

From the Community College of Rhode Island Public Relations Office:

Now in her 11th year at the Community College of Rhode Island, Johnston resident Mary K. Baker said she has always had such pride in CCRI that she feels like a graduate. That feeling will become a reality when Baker is inducted as an honorary alumna on April 1.

“Although I never attended classes here, I always felt like a part of the college,” said Baker, who serves as assistant to the dean of administration and co-chairs the college’s Green Team, which spearheads eco-friendly initiatives across the campuses.

A Rhode Island native who started working at CCRI in January 2000, she is a regular volunteer at CCRI events, including the Alumni Association Golf Tournament, the Changing Lives Celebration and the induction ceremonies for the Society of the Knights and the CCRI Hall of Fame.

Baker and Jennifer Bramley of Providence will be named honorary alumnae during the CCRI Alumni Association’s A Knight of Stars event on April 1 at the Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown.

Volunteerism and dedication to the Community College of Rhode Island and the Alumni Association are two key characteristics of recipients of the Honorary Alumni Award.

Director of Alumni Affairs Marisa Albini said: “Mary epitomizes those values. She is
always willing to go the extra mile to help everyone out, whether it is giving directions to students and visitors at the Flanagan Campus, or collecting donations of coats and food from faculty and staff to bring to shelters. She is always exuberant and dedicated to making CCRI a better place to be.”

Prior to joining CCRI, Baker worked as an administrative assistant for a vice president at Paramount Cards. Her career at CCRI began at the Knight Campus in the business and purchasing offices, where she adapted to her new surroundings and quickly fit in with the college.

“I thought working in the business office was a good fit for me coming from private enterprise,” she said. “In my new job at the Knight Campus, I met almost all of the faculty and staff; I knew everyone by name — and to this day, I still do.”

After two years working in Warwick, Baker transferred to the Flanagan Campus in
Lincoln to work as assistant to the dean of administration. She schedules events at all four campuses and serves as the point person for campus activities and information.

Just like at her job in Warwick, Baker quickly came to know everyone at Flanagan, too. After 10 years at CCRI, she said she enjoys her job as much as she did on her first day.

“It’s something different every day and I love it,” she said.

Baker became aware of Foundation and Alumni Association activities through staff in the college’s Alumni Office. Joshua Klemp, president of the CCRI Alumni Association, said Baker is an outstanding choice for the honor.

“Mary is the first person to volunteer and manage volunteers at our events," Klemp said. "She is thorough, competent and energetic about our mission and activities.”

“I just love helping out at the events here,” Baker said. She thanked the Alumni
Association for selecting her to become an honorary alumna. “They’re a great bunch of people to work with.”

The April 1 fundraising event will begin with a cocktail hour at 6 p.m. and include hors d’oeuvres, the induction ceremony, dinner and entertainment. Also that night, four Rhode Island residents will be inducted into the Alumni Association’s Society of the Knights.

This honor is presented to CCRI alumni who have been active as community leaders, attained personal and professional success, provided volunteer service to the college community
and have brought honor upon themselves and the college. They are:

• Sen. Hanna M. Gallo ’76 and ’81 of Cranston
• George K. Loftus ’79, president and CEO of OSHEAN Inc., of Newport
• Richard W. Rose ’82, assistant U.S. attorney, of East Providence
• Betty Anne Waters ’89, attorney, featured in the film "Conviction,” of Bristol

Tickets cost $75 each. Event proceeds will provide financial assistance for students
through programs such as book awards.

To register, to attend or to sponsor the event, visit www.ccri.edu/alumni.