Werner A. Baum had been the deputy administrator of the Environmental Science Services in the U. S. Department of Commerce before he was named as the University’s seventh president.

As at universities nationwide, President Baum faced student protests, outcomes of actions taken at Kent State, and war. During his tenure, URI Library holdings few by 52 percent, he outlined plans for an addition to the Library and the University Club was built.

Before joining the Commerce Department, President Baum had served as vice president for scientific affairs at New York University, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculties at the University of Miami and earlier as dean of the Graduate School and dean of the faculties at Florida State. President Baum received his Masters and Ph.D. degrees in meteorology at the University Chicago.