Warren Bakes has spent his life as a lion for education.

"It was a fun journey," Bakes, 86, of Coeur d'Alene, said Tuesday.

"I've worked 60 years in both public school and at the university level, and I've enjoyed every minute of it."

This education champion was recognized for his dedication Saturday during a University of Idaho commencement ceremony in Moscow when his alma mater presented him with an honorary doctorate.

"When I got on the stage, it absolutely blew me away," Bakes said. "I was in awe and it was an absolutely emotional moment."

Born into a military family, Bakes attended 16 different schools before he barely graduated from high school with a 1.54 GPA. World War II was raging around the globe when he was a primary student.

"They knew if you were a Navy brat you were only there a few months," he said. "They weren't mean to you; you just got shuffled to the back of the room because they knew you were going to be there such a short time. At the lower grades they gave you something to color and made sure you got your lunch at noon and got out to the playground for playtime."

He was ridiculed by his peers as his academic skills suffered.

"He didn't put up with taunting much, though, letting the others know that what he lacked in academic prowess he more than made up for in physical aggression," his U of I biography states. "A start in life such as Warren experienced could have led him in many directions, but few such stories result in a lifetime of service to education. Somehow, he chose to enroll at the University of Idaho to learn to teach."

Bakes earned his undergraduate degree in 1963 and began his career as an educator at Canyon Elementary School in the Kellogg Joint School District.

"I taught in a little tiny rural school out in the country," Bakes said. "I taught 38 fifth and sixth graders, ran the hot lunch program, helped with the bus routes. There was no secretary, so the school phone was in my classroom. It was my first year of teaching, and I was also principal of the school."

He joined the Genesee School District as a teacher and principal for the following five years. In 1969 he returned to Kootenai County, where he served students for the next 54 years. He spent 11 years as an elementary school principal and was charged with opening a new school in fall 1975. He became the assistant superintendent of the Coeur d'Alene School District in 1980. In 1983, he became the superintendent.

"In those roles, he oversaw multiple schools, the principals of which speak of Warren's steady and fair leadership through regularly challenging times," Bakes' bio reads. "Though the superintendency is not an easy place to make friends, Warren's tendencies to listen and genuinely care about others helped him build relationships with district patrons. One former administrator described Warren as 'a rock in the storm' for his tireless leadership and advocacy 'for public education in Idaho.'

"As anyone who knows Warren will attest, the relationships he built were central to his professional career and personal tendencies that opened many doors for his students, colleagues and anyone crossing his path."

He entered higher education in 1995 when he went to work for the U of I. He also spent six years as a resource conservation manager for Washington Water Power.

At the U of I, he spent 28 years leveraging his experience and relationships in coordination of teacher candidate placement.

"His colleagues note the significant role he played in affecting the climate, attitude and reputation of the University of Idaho's College of Education," his biography states. "During this time, he connected hundreds of prospective educators with mentor teachers, navigated some incredibly challenging scenarios and helped ensure his belief in the power of education would perpetuate, through the establishment of a scholarship for future teachers."

U of I President Scott Green said Bakes has devoted his life to opening doors for Idaho students and supporting the educators who guide them.

"His story is a powerful reminder of how transformative education can be — not only for students in classrooms, but for entire communities," Green said. "Through decades of service in K-12 leadership and nearly 30 years supporting future teachers at the University of Idaho, Warren helped shape generations of Idaho educators. His impact continues to be felt across schools and communities throughout our state, and we are proud to celebrate his extraordinary commitment to public education and lifelong service to Idaho."

At the heart of Bakes' work, always, were the students.

"Lots of my students were working two jobs and going to school full time," Bakes said. "Sometimes one would be missing from class and I'd say, 'Where you been?' and they’d say, 'I live in Kellogg' or something, 'And my car won’t start, it needs a battery. I couldn’t get from there to here.' I started buying batteries, fixing teeth, buying snow tires.

"These kids couldn’t rub two dimes together; they could barely afford to get to school."

Warren and his wife, Linda, recently established the Warren and Linda Bakes U of I Foundation to support students in such situations.

"You begin to understand that a lot of students are coming from all kinds of backgrounds," Bakes said. "Kids coming to school hungry, coming to school without warm coats, who maybe have been physically abused before they got there.

"If you can touch that kid, you can turn that life around," he said, "and what could be more rewarding than that?"

Even in retirement, Bakes' mission continues.

"I see all kinds of places where work can be done and improvements can be made. I intend to be as busy now as I was before," he said. "I got a lot to do before I decide to check out."

    Warren Bakes, 86, of Coeur d'Alene, center, is awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Idaho during a May 16 commencement ceremony in recognition of his lifetime of service to education. Also pictured: U of I President Scott Green, left, and Provost Torrey Lawrence.