Walker meets and greets the campus

Antoinette Bernich
News Reporter

The new president of the Southern Illinois University system was formally welcomed to the Edwardsville campus Tuesday at a reception held in his honor.

Walker and his wife, Gwenn, were greeted by more than 75 faculty, staff and students at the reception.

Walker is not a stranger to SIUE. After earning his doctorate in education from Penn State, he took a job in 1972 at SIUE as an assistant professor of special education. While he was at SIUE, Walker was encouraged by John Rendleman to become an administrator.

After leaving SIUE, Walker held a few more teaching jobs and eventually became dean of the school of education at California State University at Hayward.

He then became provost and vice president for academic affairs at the University of Northern Colorado, and in 1991 he became president of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, until he became president of SIU on Oct. 1. Walker and his wife live in Carbondale, and have no plans to move. "We will be doing a lot of commuting," Walker's wife said.

Student Trustee Jason Holzum was on the committee that interviewed SIU presidential candidates. Holzum said Walker was the overall package of what SIU is looking for.

"It's always good to have Dr. Walker on campus. He always shows enthusiasm and eagerness to see how the campus is developing. He has a genuine love for Edwardsville," Holzum said.

Student senator Joe Hinton agreed that Walker was a good choice for SIU. "I think it's good to have someone who's spent time at SIUE. He knows about issues that affect our system," Hinton said.

SIUE Chancellor David Werner believes that Walker is an excellent addition to SIU.

"He's going to provide great leadership for the SIU community," Werner said.

Walker is looking forward to getting things done.

"It feels great to be back. It's exciting. SIUE has always had outstanding students. I'm looking forward to working with everyone," Walker said.

Walker said he feels that there is little need to make drastic changes in the SIU system.

"I don't think SIU is broken by any means, so there is no need to come in the door and fire people and do away with programs. What we want to do is look at the things that we do well and continue to be the best at what we do," Walker said...