Join us for “Rock Reflections,” a series celebrating Trinity alumni. From 48 states to countries worldwide, our graduates are making an impact, and we'll share their stories on Trinity's website and social media.
This week, we’re reflecting with Beau Baker '93
Beau Baker, a member of the Trinity Class of 1993 and a United States Naval Academy graduate, credits Trinity for part of his desire to serve others. He lives that service in his role as a teacher and founder and dean of the Ivy Plus Academy at Fern Creek High School. The focus of the program is to provide traditionally underrepresented college-going students (first-generation, low-income and/or minority students) with post-secondary opportunities and access. He’s also postsecondary counselor for the senior class.
In addition to teaching at Fern Creek, Beau serves on the board of directors for the Louisville Youth Philanthropy Council and is the co-founder of Louisville’s College & Career Collective, which is a collection of non-profit organizations in the Louisville area that collaborates to help local students and families with anything related to education and postsecondary access. He also served for 16 years on the United States Service Academies Nomination Board for Kentucky’s third congressional district.
He has been honored for his success with the Exxon/Mobil Spirit of Excellence in Teaching Award. He also was designated as a Class Nobel Educator of Distinction by the National Society of High School Scholars, received the Hilliard Lyons Excellence in Teaching Award; and was one of eight counselors from across the nation named as a 2018 Counselor That Changed Lives by the non-profit organization Colleges That Change Lives.
Beau and his wife, Dani, who is also a teacher, have been married for almost 28 years. They do not have children. But they say they have had hundreds of “children” in their 48 years of combined work in Louisville high schools.
What follows is a Q & A interview with Beau.
Why did you choose Trinity for high school?
My mother’s best friend had two sons who went to Trinity, so that sparked my initial interest. After attending Trinity’s Open House during my eight-grade year, I was immediately sold on its sense of community and student-run leadership.
What activities/athletics/clubs did you participate in at Trinity?
I was honored to be elected class president by my classmates. I played linebacker for the football team and threw discus for the track team all four years. I was named to the All-State football first team as a senior and to the All-State track team as a sophomore and a senior. I also was on the Academic All-State first team sophomore through senior year for football and all four years for track. Additionally, I’m a proud member of the 1991 football state championship team, and I won a state championship in discus.
Outside of sports, I was a member of the German and Art clubs. As a member of the National Honor Society, I had the privilege of volunteering for the Special Olympics. I still remember that.
What do you remember about the day-to-day life at Trinity?
I remember the vibrancy that seemed to surge through every day. It seemed like no matter what day it was, there was always something going on with a level of enthusiasm and verve that was noticeably unique. I will always be thankful for the groups of friends I had across different grade levels, backgrounds and areas of interest.
Who were some of your favorite teachers/coaches?
My art teacher, Jim Connell ’63. His guidance and mentorship in my art classes were impactful in ways I am still noticing. There’s not a week that goes by that I don’t think about Jim and appreciate all the things he did for me. If there was one person who influenced me to become a teacher, it was him.
I had Bob Hublar H’03 for physics. He taught me what it was like to not just solve complex equations but to understand their importance. I cannot tell you how helpful this was for me because I had to take so many science and engineering classes at the U.S. Naval Academy.
I grew up in New Albany, Indiana, and attended our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School. Eddie Rudolph’s (H’95) first year at Trinity as a teacher and football coach was my freshman year. Like me, he lived in New Albany, Indiana, so he would pick me up and take me to school my freshman year. Those rides together in the mornings meant the world to me because, coming from across the river, I did not know anyone when I walked into Trinity. His patience, advice and tutelage – especially dealing with an often-times difficult freshman like me – was nothing short of extraordinary.
Tom Dubay H’94, Bob Edelen, and Frank Ward H’01 in the Independent Studies Program completely changed how I saw the world and my academic trajectory. I was more prepared to write in college than most of my peers because of these extraordinary teachers. Most importantly, they showed me the true value of learning-for-learning’s sake by making intellectual curiosity something to value above all other academic abilities.
Dennis Lampley H’92 was an amazing coach, but he was so much more than that. I know this has been said countless times about Coach Lampley because so many players he coached and mentored have a story about him that does not solely revolve around football. Long after I graduated and started teaching, Coach would randomly reach out to me and ask how I was doing and congratulate me on any success I was having, no matter how small, and tell me he was proud of me. Having that man’s respect will always be something I treasure.
Do you have a favorite memory from your time at Trinity?
I have wonderful memories of my time in sports, clubs and with my friends. One funny memory that will always stay with me is when three friends and me had an ongoing water balloon and water gun war with biology teacher Doug Garber that lasted for two years. There would be moments of détente, but it would inevitably heat up again at random moments throughout the year.
Yet, I would have to say my time spent with art teacher Jim Connell in the Art Department is my fondest and most lasting memory. His mentorship, passion for teaching and honesty encouraged me to find my true self in ways I am forever grateful for.
What did you do after you graduated from Trinity in 1993?
I attended the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, and earned a bachelor’s degree in English. I graduated and was commissioned as a Naval officer in May 1997 and served for seven years on active duty and two years in the Reserves. In 2006, I left the Navy Reserves with the rank of lieutenant commander. During my time as a Surface Warfare Officer, I completed two deployments on ships based out of Bremerton, Washington, and San Diego, California.
I started teaching at Fern Creek High School in 2004 and have been here ever since. I taught Advanced Placement English language and composition as well as AP art history for 18 years. I also coached track and field for 12 years.
In 2015, I started the Ivy Plus Academy. It’s a unique program that helps students and their families – starting their freshman year – with the college search, application, matriculation and graduation process. The prime focus of the program is to provide traditionally underrepresented college-going students (first-generation, low-income and/or minority students) with post-secondary opportunities and access.
This goal is meant to combat undermatching, a national phenomenon in which high-achieving students do not apply to or attend colleges and universities that match their potential and, as a result, have lower graduation rates, higher student loans and debt, and fewer educational advantages than their equally qualified peers. I work with students and families to help them find their "best-fit" college option, ensure they are prepared for college and provide mentorship and support for them to graduate from college in four years.
Since 2015, the Ivy Plus Academy has sent 266 students to college. Seventy-six percent are the first in their family to attend college, 74% are from low-income families and 68% are students of-color. These students were accepted to 183 different colleges and universities, earning just under $175 million in merit-based scholarships. Moreover, Ivy Plus Academy students have an 84% four-year college graduation rate.
In 2022, I left the classroom to create the role of postsecondary access counselor to be able to work with not just the Ivy Plus Academy students but also the entire senior class. Last year’s seniors earned $30.8 million in merit-based scholarships.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
I was inspired to become a teacher because I realized early on that education is the great equalizer in society. I could not have achieved anything without the education I was lucky enough to receive from grade school through college.
Sadly, not every student is given this opportunity. I want to try, in my own way, to strive to ensure that more kids have access to, and can take advantage of, quality education regardless of their socio-economic background or upbringing. Most importantly, I want to make sure these students have access to the opportunities and advantages that students from better resourced backgrounds have to reach their fullest potential.
What effect did Trinity have on your life?
Trinity taught me the importance of giving back to one’s community and trying to be an upright steward of others. Whether this was through the extraordinary teachers I was lucky to have, the passionate coaches who mentored me or my exceptional classmates who challenged and supported me, the entire Trinity community helped me see the importance of being part of something bigger than yourself.
Why do you support Trinity years after graduating?
Because I would most likely not be able to enjoy the life I have without the lessons I was taught by the Trinity community – lessons I’m sure are still being instilled in and taught to its students today. While the campus, faculty and student body may change over time, the values Trinity adheres to remain the same.
Share an alumni story!
Do you know a Trinity alumnus with a compelling story? Please reach out to Travis Wagoner '90, Alumni Relations, Communications & Archives at 502-736-2122 or wagoner@trinityrocks.com.
A History of Greatness
Since 1953, Trinity has benefitted from great teachers, resources, and activities to shape and guide promising boys into great men. The 106 students from our first graduating class have been followed by a legacy of academic, personal and cultural achievement. To learn more about our proud heritage, visit https://www.trinityrocks.com/o/trinityfoundation/page/about-us.
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