Dr.Susan Baker Memorial Scholarship

When I got the call earlier this year letting me know my mother, Susan Baker had passed away, I was completely devastated.  She was only in her mid-50's.  And while she was recovering from a recent surgery, her energy and warmth gave her an aura of vitality and strength. Her loss was entirely unexpected and came as an overwhelming blow to our family, as well as to the many people who knew and  loved her. 



She devoted herself deeply to both her family and what she considered her life's work: showcasing the challenges faced by Latinos and Latinas in the United States, and putting forward meaningful solutions to the problems affecting them.  Her commitment to this cause grew not only from her own Hispanic heritage, but also her deeply compassionate and empathetic nature.  



She received her PhD from UT Austin at only 27 years old. Over the course of her life her research included Mexican migration to the U.S., experiences of Mexican immigrant women in U.S. labor markets, U.S. immigration policy, and race/ethnic differences in homelessness. 

 

Her first professional position was as a Senior Researcher at the prestigious think tank, The Urban Institute, in Washington, D.C. where she published her first major academic effort: an investigation into the 1986 amnesty for undocumented aliens. A gifted writer, she was soon publishing extensively, establishing herself as a rising star in her field. She left the Urban Institute to take her first academic position at the University of Arizona, where she developed into an outstanding lecturer as well as researcher and writer.  It was there that my Mom first became noted as a mentor of graduate students, particularly other Latinas, and became a role model for the next wave of young sociologists.  



Most recently, she joined the University of Texas - Arlington in 2005 as Director of the Center for Mexican-American Studies and tenured member of the sociology faculty. One of my Mom's notable successes at UTA was the creation of the Distinguished Lecture Series, which raised the Center's profile and became its signature event. 

 

Making the arrangements for her memorial has been a painful and difficult process, not only because of the sudden nature of her death, but also because those who were closest to her knew she was planning to accomplish so much more.  I remember speaking to her, watching her get more and more excited talking about the research she had planned, and the pride she took in seeing what those students she had mentored had accomplished. 



It is in that spirit of study and stewardship that it occured to her family to try and establish a scholarship in her memory. It would be incredibly meaningful to all to us to be able to continue my Mom's legacy, to be able to capture in some small way both her love and commitment to her work, as well as her abiding efforts to guide and prepare future generations of scholars. 



All donations will be used to form the Susan Baker Memorial Scholarship, with the goal of dispersing
1000 dollars annually to a pair of incoming male and female students with a proven commitment to social issues and who are pursuing a major in accordance with that commitment. 



While there is no set date by which the funds are needed, the sooner we are able to receive them the sooner we would be able to begin helping students in need. 



Through both word and deed, my mother imparted the lesson that it was important not only to give your all in what you do, but to also remember that you are never doing it alone. That the commitments you make to others are often the most meaningful and rewarding, and to drive home the old axiom that a society grows greater when the old plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in. It is our sincere hope we are able to fund this scholarship, It would be incredibly meaningful for my family to see others come together and join us in the goal of helping my mother Susan's legacy live on.  



Anyone who contributed would not only have the lifelong gratitude and thanks of our family, but also that of every student we would be able help.  Thank you so much for your support and Vaya con Dios.