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Alumni Council member Maureen Collins Baker '57 has written a book, Outrageous Hero, honoring the memory of her brother B.T. Collins, former California assemblyman and Vietnam veteran who once served as the chief of staff for then-California Governor Jerry Brown and director of the California Conservation Corps.

Published by Bryce Hill Publishing, the book is a biography of Collins, who earned a bachelor's degree and law degree from Santa Clara University after losing a leg and arm as a U.S. Army captain in Vietnam. In addition to posts as director of the California Conservation Corps and chief of staff for Governor Jerry Brown, Collins was also California's deputy finance director, director of the California Youth Authority and an elected member of the California State Assembly. In addition to a scholarship at the Santa Clara law school named in his memory, there is a memorial scholarship at his high school alma mater in White Plains, NY, and a U.S. Army lodging facility in California named for him.

Baker, who will sign copies of the book during an event at Reunion '08, is a retired professor and author who taught at SUNY Potsdam for over 30 years, specializing in French, linguistics and foreign language education. While a St. Lawrence student, she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority, the Outing Club and the Thelomathesian Society, the student government organization. Baker earned her St. Lawrence degree in French, a master's degree from SUNY Potsdam and the Ph.D. from Indiana University.

More: Bryce Hill Publishing Web site

Posted: May 1, 2008