A Legacy Built on Faith, Family, and The Wake Forest Way
11/12/2025 10:03:00 AM | General
On any given day, somewhere on the skyline of Wake Forest University, there's a roof that carries the Baker family's touch — a reminder that for Prentiss Baker III ('65, P '89, P '90, GP '16, GP '21, GP '24) and his wife, Joan, building has never just been a business. It's been a calling grounded in faith, family, the place they call home.
The story of Baker Roofing and Wake Forest University is, at its heart, about persistence, humility, and a legacy that will carry on for years to come.
Baker attended Wake Forest in the early 1960s, when the University was a small, close-knit community of about 2,600 students. He still remembers those early days on the newly established Winston-Salem campus — walking across the Quad, recognizing everyone in his freshman class, and feeling a deep sense of connection that has defined Wake Forest for generations. Baker explained that Wake Forest is an intimate school with enormous reach.
"I've always felt like we were the underdog, which I like," Baker explained, "It is part of my DNA to be persistent and out work my colleagues and competitors."
This philosophy captures not only Baker's core beliefs, but the Wake Forest Pro Humanitate motto as well. Wake Forest has always been relentless and united — a community built on determination, quality relationships, and purpose. It's a lesson Baker applies far beyond campus — into his faith, his family, and his life's work.
Baker Roofing Company began in 1915, when W.P. Baker, Baker's grandfather, set out with a simple mission: to build something lasting and to do the job right. His craftsmanship and integrity became the cornerstones of the company's identity — values passed down through five generations of Bakers. Baker grew up around roofing. He recalled spending his summer days on job sites and helping out where help was needed.
"I had this awesome opportunity," Baker said. "I didn't really know what I was doing — I was shoveling gravel or picking up trash — but I loved being a part of it."
After graduating from Wake Forest, Baker began his career at Atlas Supply, but when his father suffered a heart attack, family came first. In the middle of this family emergency, he left his job and stepped in to help run the business. He thought it would be for a month — but he never went back.
At the time, Baker Roofing had only 12 employees, limited resources, and aging equipment. Prentiss Baker met every challenge with quiet confidence and unshakable faith. Guided by a sense of responsibility and surrounded by loyal, hardworking employees, he turned those early obstacles into a firm foundation for future growth.
"It's a family that doesn't give up," said longtime colleague Bob Mills, who worked closely with the Bakers for many years. "They're worth their weight in gold. That's why I've always felt so good about working with this family."
Over time, Baker Roofing has grown from a small local business to one of the most respected roofing and waterproofing companies in the nation. Its work can be found on some of the most recognizable structures across the Eastern United States and beyond— including some of the more well-known Wake Forest establishments.
From the Wake Forest School of Law, Farrell Hall, the McCreary Football Complex, McCreary Football Field House, Reynolda House, and the Sutton Sports Performance Center, Baker Roofing has helped shape the campus skyline. For Baker, those projects carry a personal meaning that goes far beyond construction.
"Wake Forest means so much to our family," Baker added. "It's been part of our story from the very beginning."
That deep connection extends beyond the buildings themselves. The Baker family's long-standing commitment to Wake Forest Athletics, their leadership within the Deacon Club, involvement and service as President of the Alumni Council, and their generosity to the university reflect the same principles that have guided their business for more than a century — faith, loyalty, and a desire to give back.
Baker and Baker Roofing Company have contributed well over $6 million to Wake Forest, which includes Prentiss and Joan's most recent gift of $3 million. Kelly Proehl, Baker's second-oldest daughter, expressed that her dad is a leader in love and has taught her how to treat others well.
"Honestly, his success in life is because of how much he loves people and how kind and giving he is," Proehl said.
He's "a very faith-oriented man with solid values, it's kind of the core of who [Baker] is," said Barry Faircloth, Executive Associate AD of Corporate Partnerships and a longtime friend of the Bakers. "I know that family is really important to him, and he has a big one," he continued. "Whenever we had a critical need at Wake Forest, Prentiss and Joan and Baker Roofing were always there."
Connected to it all is Wake Forest. The Baker family's ties to the university stretch across generations — and decades. Prentiss' father, Bill Baker, was a member of the Class of 1945 before leaving school early, and of Prentiss' four siblings, both he and his brother Frank followed in their father's footsteps to Wake. Prentiss graduated in 1965, while Frank would have been Class of 1969.
Frank's children also carried the Wake tradition forward: Dylan ('98) and his wife Beth ('98), and Hillary, who attended Wake and would have been Class of 1999. Prentiss and Joan's nephew, John Matthews ('95), current President of Baker Roofing Company, and his wife, Elizabeth ('94), both graduated and worked at Wake. Their oldest child, Molly, graduated in 2023, and they currently have two children enrolled, Clay ('26) and Charlie ('29).
Prentiss and his wife extended their Wake Forest legacy through their three daughters. Kelly Proehl ('90) and her husband, former Demon Deacon football standout Ricky Proehl ('90), have a daughter, Alex Manring, Class of 2016. Kim Gitter ('89) is mother to three children, including two recent Wake Forest graduates — Tilson ('21) and Ellie ('24).
For Gitter, Wake Forest is woven into her earliest memories — long car rides to Winston-Salem, Saturdays spent at Groves Stadium, and friendships formed among families who would later become fellow students. The tradition began in childhood and has now been carried through generations.
"His love for Wake has become a family tradition. Watching generations walk the same campus and share the same pride brings him immense joy. We feel truly honored that Wake Forest has become an integral part of our family story," Gitter said.
Today, multiple generations of Bakers continue the family tradition. Three of Prentiss and Joan's eight grandkids, Alex, Colton, and Landon, currently work at Baker Roofing. What began as a small operation with a handful of employees has now grown into a company that employs thousands and spans multiple states. Yet at its core, the mission remains unchanged — to serve everyone with that same integrity, craftsmanship, and care. That same sense of stewardship defines the Bakers' relationship with Wake Forest. The family's name is woven into the fabric of the university through buildings, athletics, and relationships that stretch across decades.
As Wake Forest celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Deacon Club, the university will honor the Baker family at the Wake Forest vs UNC Chapel Hill Football Game on November 15, 2025, recognizing their enduring connection and contributions.
"I've experienced the joy of giving," Baker reflected. "It's not just me, it's my wife, it's my whole family. My hope is that everyone, including my family and friends, will experience the joy of giving and see the impact it can have on you and your community."
For Baker, it's about relationships, resilience, and the belief that when you pour your heart into something, it will stand the test of time. That's the Baker way. And that's the Wake Forest way.
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