President Hsu Appoints Alumnus to Serve as Interim General Counsel

On Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, College of Charleston President Andrew T. Hsu sent the following message to faculty and staff regarding the appointment of Charles Baker III as the College’s interim general counsel: 

Dear Campus Community,

I am pleased to announce that Charles “Chuck” Baker III will serve as the College’s interim general counsel, starting February 1, 2023, with a one-year temporary appointment.

In addition to his more than 35 years of legal experience, Chuck has a long history with the College of Charleston, being a second-generation alumnus as well as a volunteer leader for the last 30 years in different capacities. Chuck served as the president of the Cougar Club (1995–1996), president of the College of Charleston Alumni Association (2012–2014) and a member of the College’s Board of Trustees (2018–2022). In 2016, Chuck was the recipient of the Alumni Award of Honor, the alumni association’s highest award. As a former volunteer board member, Chuck has a deep understanding of the College’s business practices, having served as a member of the board’s Budget, Finance and Facilities Committee; the Development, Alumni, Governmental and External Relations Committee; and Access, Equity and Inclusion Committee; as well as being chair of the Student Affairs and Athletics Committee.

Chuck is coming to the College of Charleston from the law firm of Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD), based here in Charleston, where he served as the WBD’s Charleston office managing partner (2011–2017) as well as the managing partner at Buist Moore Smythe & McGee prior to its merger with WBD. He has extensive legal experience in a wide range of industries and has represented clients in complex disputes both in state and federal court.

Chuck was a student-athlete (men’s tennis) here at the College, graduating with a degree in biology, magna cum laude, in 1980 and later earned his J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

Please join me in welcoming Chuck Baker back to his alma mater!

Best,

Andrew T. Hsu, Ph.D.
President
College of Charleston