Bowmanville, Ontario – was plunged into sorrow as the news of the untimely demise of Kevin Baker, the esteemed Executive Dean of Durham College, spread throughout the community. The accomplished academician and beloved figure met with a fatal motorcycle accident on Saturday, October 7th, 2023, in Mataranka, Australia, leaving his colleagues, students, and family in deep shock and grief.
The devastating incident occurred approximately 70 kilometers south of Mataranka, just off the Stuart Highway, where Kevin tragically struck a tree. The Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre swiftly responded to the distress call, but despite the efforts of the dedicated Northern Territory Police from Mataranka and Maranboy, alongside the Mataranka clinic staff, Kevin was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities, currently investigating the accident, have appealed to anyone who might have been in the vicinity near Mataranka on that fateful Saturday and possesses information or dash cam footage to come forward, urging them to contact 131 444 and quote reference P23278173.
Kevin Baker, an alumnus of York University with a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Sociology, furthered his education by earning a Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, Ontario, and a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Aspen University, Colorado. He joined Durham College in 2011, where he quickly became an integral part of the institution’s fabric.
David Uhl shared a post on fb on the death of Baker:
My friend, Bam Baker (Dr. Kevin Baker), was doing what he loved! However, I’m saddened and challenged to process the loss that his friends and family are experiencing now. I spoke with Bam several times in reference to long-distance riding solutions and in person as we crossed paths during LDR and HokaHey events.I remember our last conversation where Bam gave me keywords of support during my recovery… “Hi David! Just checking in to say hello. Always thinking of you. It was great to chat with you when I was at Hoagy’s. Stay strong and keep up the good fight! You’re an inspiration that’s for sure and we’re all rooting for you!” ->Bam I’m thinking of you now, as you were thinking of me before, and I wish you the best as you continue to do what you love HokaHey!
His journey at Durham College saw him initially as the Dean of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies & Employment Services before ascending to the roles of Principal and Executive Dean of the Whitby campus in 2015. Kevin’s passion for education and student success was evident in his advocacy for program diversity and community connections. In 2018, he returned to the Oshawa campus, assuming the pivotal role of Executive Dean of the School of Business, Information Technology, and Management (BITM), now known as the Faculty of Business.
Kevin Baker was not merely an administrator; he was a dedicated leader, a mentor loved by his students, and a cherished member of his family. His legacy, marked by his unwavering commitment to higher education, leadership, and community, will continue to inspire generations within Durham College and beyond. As the Durham College community mourns his loss, they remember him for his profound impact and mourn the void left by his absence.
