A native of Buffalo, New York, is the first inductee into the new Porter County Career & Technical Center Volunteer Hall of Fame.
Joe Baker, a retired engineer and manufacturing manager, in in his fourth year of volunteering in the Electronics and Computer Technology class at the Porter County Career and Technical Center (PCCTC).
Baker has been instrumental in helping with the rooftop solar project, the relocation of the 1912 Canadian National train depot and more. He helps out in the afternoon electronics class daily and also pitched in as a long-term substitute teacher when needed last fall.
This “epitome of the volunteer”, according to fellow Kiwanis member Jon Groth, career center director and principal, is appreciated by students, parents and staff alike.
“What a great addition Joe has been to the center,” added retired electronics teacher Dave Kenning, who still lends a hand. “He brings an extensive background of real world technical experience into the classroom and readily shares it with students and staff alike.”
“The success of our rooftop wind/solar project radiated around his ability to work with many of our students during the installation, troubleshooting and maintenance of it all. Joe has been a true pleasure to work with,” Kenning added.
The 72-year-old Baker does not limit his volunteerism to career and technical education. He also helped out with ValPlayso park reconstruction and is a consistent reliable Kiwanis volunteer. He also helps out at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson.
Volunteering runs in the family. Wife Beth of almost 50 years is very involved with the Girl Scouts of America. She manages the service units in Valparaiso and Washington Townships.
The Baker offspring have technical skills, too. Both Baker daughters have master’s degrees in engineering. Between them there are six grandchildren.
Baker describes himself as a product of technical education. He said he still uses what he learned at Seneca Vocational High School in Buffalo. He loves to help mold the students into a person who is in demand because of his or her skills. He found the students here have a real desire to learn about solar energy, robotics and computer programming.