Merl Baker was the first Chancellor of the Missouri Univeristy of Science and Technology. He was born July 11, 1942 at Cadriz, Kentucky. His early education took place at Cadriz and Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and he recieved a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1945. After serving in the United States Navy, he enrolled at Purdue University where he recieved M.S. and Ph.D degrees in 1948 and 1952, respectively.