PEA Campus Mourns Emeriti Baggia, Cole

The Academy recently lost beloved long-time former faculty members Aldo Baggia and Donald Cole. Baggia, a former modern languages instructor who served as chair of the modern languages department, passed away October 9. Cole, a former history instructor who served as Dean of Faculty, passed away October 5. Their absences will be deeply felt from all reaches of the Exeter community.Cole served as an educator and leader in the Exeter community for 42 years. He retired in 1988 and was recognized with the Founder's Day Award in 1992 for his work as Dean of Faculty under two principals. He graduated from Harvard University and served as a lieutenant in the Navy during World War II. Cole dedicated his life to historical research, publishing numerous well-recognized books on Jacksonian democracy, many during his tenure as a full-time faculty member. At Exeter, he also coached football and lacrosse.He will be remembered for his scholarship, principle and civility. "As Dean of Faculty, he was recognized by everyone for his standards, fairness and ability to hold people accountable. Right up until the end of his tenure, he did every little job as well as the big one—he continued to coach and advise, and was never too big to do what was done by faculty. He set an example for all of us in his selfless service to the school," Professor Emeritus Jack Herney said. "He had a wonderful respect for the history and integrity of the Academy—he reminded us to be true to that history and reminded us that we were responsible for continuing it. In leading faculty and department meetings, his voice was listened to more than any."His dedication to his scholarly work on top of his teaching was inspiring to all. "He was what you would call a school man, a triple threat—involved in the dorm, a teacher and a coach,” Barbara Eggers, who was Cole's mentee during her early years at the Academy, said. “It was exceptional and admirable that he was able to do all these things, and that in retirement he maintained his love of history and produced several books.”When campuses were going on strike and student protests were happening, Cole was chosen to lead a committee to propose an Academy response. During a period of national acrimony and upset in America's school communities, he served as a unifying voice for the community. "He was absolutely masterful at being able to listen to voices around the table, which were never in harmony. He was very patient, and more than any other person on campus, he was responsible for keeping the school together,” Herney said. “Many schools were damaged by the war controversy and had a very difficult time, but we didn't, and that's largely due to his leadership,"Cole was famed for his ability to make history come alive for his students. "He was a very energetic teacher and really talented at getting kids involved with the issues in the moment, almost as though they were living in them," Eggers said.Baggia, who taught at Exeter for 33 years, served as a modern languages department chair and instructor in French, Spanish, Italian and German. He studied at Iona College, l'Universite Laval in Quebec, Duke University and Middlebury College, studying and travelling extensively in Western Europe as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Nancy in France at the beginning of his career. He also held an interest in theater and classical music.He will be remembered for his infectious enthusiasm for life. "He was assigned to me as a mentor in my first years and our friendship never wavered. His spirit, expertise and interests amazed me. He was a superb linguist, fluent in at least five languages, understandable in many more, a gifted musician and an over-the-top baseball fan." Modern languages instructor Joseph Reiter said. "What was so wonderful about Mr. Baggia is that he always rooted for the underdog, be it the singer understudy or the unknown pitcher or hitter. And I think his rapport with the students was the same. He encouraged them to stand up at the language plate and to take a chance. Teaching for him was coaching and guiding, and always with smile and a good word."Baggia also charmed those around him with his thoughtful nature. "We felt valued under him because as department chair he listened, was very responsive and very considerate. He checked up every day on his colleagues—I would be sitting in my classroom after a few afternoon classes, and he came into the classroom to chat. He was funny and dynamic and energetic," modern languages instructor Evelyn Christoph said. “It was very difficult to watch him decline, but he was incredibly courageous despite his health issues and even as he declined, he was never negative at all.""I learned Italian from him one term, and I can say from personal experience that he was a phenomenal teacher. He had a very thoughtful touch in teaching, and he loved his students deeply," Christoph said.