Baldwin ? Small colleges such as Baker University are an anomaly in a fast-paced, bigger-is-better world, the Rev. Peter Gomes said during Baker’s convocation Tuesday.

Gomes himself is an anomaly. He’s black, gay, Republican, Baptist and a Harvard theologian. He’s also a best-selling author who participated in the inaugurations of Ronald Reagan and George Bush.

Gomes’ past helped draw about 600 Baker students, faculty members and alumni more than usual to convocation in Rice Auditorium. But his speech was focused on the future of universities such as Baker.

“The Christian liberal arts colleges is and always has been the jewel in the American education crown,” Gomes said.

Gomes compared Baker to Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, where he received his bachelor’s degree. Both, he said, were a step away from many universities that are like shopping malls “large, sterile places filled with the things they think you should have, people moving everywhere and going nowhere.”

Gomes has been at Harvard since 1970 and has been minister at its Memorial Church since 1974. He also is on the faculty at Harvard’s Divinity School. His books include “The Good Life: Truths that Last in Times of Need,” “The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart” and “Sermons: Biblical Wisdom for Daily Living.”

Gomes’ appearance also was notable because of who didn’t attend. Dan Lambert, Baker’s president, said he expected protesters from Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, led by anti-gay activist Fred Phelps, to be there.

“I’ll admit there’s a certain perversion of pride in their occasional visit here,” Lambert said. “They remind us we are a community governed by the rules of civil discourse and a community of spiritual and intellectual hospitality.”

Gomes said he had prepared himself mentally for Phelps to protest.

“I don’t know if I’m thrilled, relieved or deflated that I’m of such small significance that your usual host of protesters aren’t here,” he said. “It’s good to be humbled.”

The Rev. Peter Gomes, a pastor and professor at Harvard University, speaks at the Baker University convocation. Tuesday, Gomes urged Baker officials and students to preserve the traditional characteristics of the liberal arts college.

Several students who attended praised administrators for choosing an openly gay minister to deliver the convocation address.

“I’d say it speaks for our university, that we have an open mind,” said Leslie Bowerman, a sophomore from Derby.

Andy Taylor, a senior from Shawnee, said he thought the prospect of a controversial speaker helped draw students to the event.

“It was a topic of conversation, whether Fred Phelps would have come,” Taylor said. “It would have been good either way. He could have expressed his views, (Rev. Gomes) could respond to him, and the Baker students could listen to that.”