James A. Baker III gives a unique gift to Baker College at Rice University

Former Secretary of State James A. Baker III paid a special visit to Rice University’s Baker College Jan. 10 to present students there with a mounted elk head. Baker, an avid big-game hunter since his youth, killed the bull elk several years ago and had it stuffed and mounted. Until recently, the elk head had been displayed at Rice’s Baker Institute, of which Baker is honorary chair.

Baker is the grandson of the residential college’s namesake, Capt. James Baker. He answered questions from students on a range of national and international affairs while there to present the elk head.