Southeastern Massachusetts University - Scrimshaw Yearbook (North Dartmouth, MA)

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Problem-Solving, Decision-Making, and Campus Leadership is widely used as a textbook in classes and seirfinars on academic administration. His knowledge extends well oeyond the confines of his profession, however. A licensed psychologist, he also holds s Masters Degree ir: Theology and a Doctorate Degree from Stanford in Sociology. He is an avid reader in such disparate fields as medical science, detective novels, and poetry. His consultative style of ieauership, his inventive metaphors, his good humor and his humane concern for ali were a few of the qualities that have made him sucn a well respected and loved man at SMU. is 2a Attending the Farewell Testimonial Dinner for the Walkers were a host of prestigious personalities. The ceremony began with a slide presentation that documented the Walkers' history at SMU titled 'The Walker Years. Below are among the guest speakers who said their good-byes and expressed their gratitude from the left: serving as Toastmaster, Associate Dean of Students, Donald C. Howardg from the SMU Board of Trustees, Chairman Paul McCawley,' Joseph Bronstadp SMU Student Trustee, Mark Montignyg Massachusetts Chancellor for the Board of Regents of Higher Education, Dr. John Duffy Governor of Massachusetts, the Honorable lVlichael S. Dukakis, presenting the SMU gift, President-elect, Dr. William Wildeg from the SMU Board of Trustees, Bernard Bakery and President of the SMU Foundation, William Long.

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1'-,' ' I xi l', I Q J' 1 Ki rf t- 1 TESTIMONIAL Di'NNEFf for MRS. and PRESIDENT DONALD 'VVALKEF1 On August 8, 7983 a Testomonial Dinner was heid on oeiraif of Mrs. Ann L. and President Donald Waticer. Organized oy over 60 Uuriiversity persorinei, colleagues, area nieic.'1ai:ts, cornrnunity leaders, iocai politicians and grateful admirers, the Walker 'iestirnonial was one way to say thank you to a ooupie who have given so much of themselves to others. The organizing committee conceived not only a ceremonial dinner, but also a SNIU Walker Merit Scnoiarship to encourage and reward academic excellence and intellectual drive at Southeastern Nl assacriusetts U niversity. To assure that meaningful scholarship awards could oe made each year, the committee determined that an endowment of at least 350,000 would be needed. Thus, 550,000 was set as the initial goal for a scholarship fund drive. This goal was met and surpassed Wlhifl ease as thankful friends, associates and goodwillers exhibited their appreciation for all that the Walkers have done for SMU and the community. Born in Missouri, the son of a college professor, Donald E. Walker has spent his entire life on, or near college campuses. His professional career included endeavors as a professor, dean of counseling and testing, dean of students, and academic vice-president. Three times he has been the leader of academic institutions: first as president of Idaho State Universityf then as acting president of San Diego State Universityg and finally as president of Southeastern fvlassashusetts University. He has now returned to California, a state where he has spent the greater part of his career, to assume his fourth role as the president of tne Grossmont Community College District in Sari Diego. He nas shared this wealth of experience not only with his colleagues at SMU but with academic leaders shrouglsout the country. I-le has been in :cnstant dernand as a speaker before national groups of cottage ,presidents and other academic administrators. nis book, The Effective Administrator: A Practical Approach to 1. vs .sf 'R Vi.

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N'-4:41 Although it can trace its roots back to just beyond the turn of the century, SMU is young as a university. This is easily seen when one considers the figures during the tenure of Dr. Donald E. Walker. When Dr. Walker arrived in 1972, he became the University's second president. At that time the enrollment was about 4,000, the alumni numbered about 5,000 and the budget for the university was nearly 36.5 million. Upon his departure in 1983, the enrollment was over 5, 300, the alumni figure was more than 16, 000, and the budget swelled to nearly EB 19 million. What was primarily a commuter campus had become one-fourth live-in dorm students. Dr. Walker arrived on a bitterly divided campus and much of his early efforts went into healing past wounds and helping people to work together effectively, building a shared governance system. Dr. Walker worked out a plan to develop the University into what it is today. He did so by increasing SNIU 's contacts and interactions with surrounding communities, augmenting fringe benefits for faculty, developing clear and just personnel policies subscribed to by all ,' completing a self-examination of the institution, its goals and purposes, . Q' - - - A L W .-.. - .-f, 444 A. ,, . H V ff., I Wi i 2- rm. ,Ww- ,Q 1 - M, 'oft 9- . ' ,f I as g beginning with the departments and moving on to the colleges, establishing regularized and humane personnel procedures, improving financial support: collecting campus and community perspectives on the institution and the constituencies of the University to become better acquainted and shifting resources into high demand areas while maintaining a balance of liberal arts. Faced with more than his share of budget problems, Dr. Walker continually stood up to possible budget decreases. Twice he saw the University faced with crises of considerable magnitude as serious cutbacks were proposed. Emphasizing the careful management of resources and motivating a cooperative effort with the community and the University, President Walker managed to keep budget cuts at a minimum. A portion of the list of achievements and new programs developed during the 1 1 years include: the Small Business Institute, Small Business Development Center and the Center for Business Activity - all aimed at providing counselling and expertise to area business and industry, the Computer Science, Computer Engineering and Computer Fluency