Walker Named Board of Advisors Vice Chair

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A unanimous vote at the University of Arkansas Board of Advisors inaugural meeting Friday, Oct. 20, named Debbie Walker of Fayetteville vice chair of the board. A loyal supporter of the university, Walker will assist Julian Stewart (B.S.C.E., 1957), the board chair, in guiding the direction of the organization.

“Working alongside a dedicated group of volunteers like those serving on the Board of Advisors is an honor,” Walker said. “I look forward to working with my dear friend, Julian Stewart, and helping to guide the future of this university. My family is very supportive of the University of Arkansas and has invested in numerous programs throughout the decades. By accepting this leadership responsibility, I hope to carry on the Walker legacy.”

Walker and husband, Johnny Mike Walker (B.S.B.A. 1978), have a distinguished family history of supporting the University of Arkansas. Mr. Walker’s parents, the late Willard Walker and Pat Walker, have generously supported the university personally and through their foundation. Debbie Walker became the executive director of the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation in July 2004. She helped establish the foundation’s office at its present location later that year. Willard Walker died in 2003. Pat Walker works with her son and daughter-in-law to make decisions about donations and gifts, and she continues to serve on the foundation’s board.

G. David Gearhart, vice chancellor for University Advancement, said: “Debbie is a great choice to serve as vice chair of the Board of Advisors. Her volunteer leadership with the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century and in the formation of the Women’s Giving Circle among other roles has been exemplary and we look forward to her continued involvement with the University of Arkansas.”

Walker’s community involvement is also extensive. She served on the board for the New School in Fayetteville for seven years, two of which she was president. She also served on the Washington Regional Medical Foundation for a short time, was a founding board member for Pagnozzi Charities and was a founding member of the University of Arkansas’ Women’s Giving Circle. Walker has also been coordinator for the Razorback Diamond Dolls program, a baseball spirit and volunteer group, for more than a decade.

The Board of Advisors serves as the successor organization to the National Development Council and the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century Steering Committee that headed the effort that raised more than $1 billion for the University of Arkansas. The board operates as a subsidiary of The University of Arkansas Foundation, Inc. It plays a leadership role in the university’s advancement and fund-raising efforts; develops ways and means of expanding public awareness of the needs, programs, growth and development of the university; aids Chancellor White in defining the institutional goals of the university; offers advice on external relations issues; advocates for the university with the state Legislature; and helps increase the UA presence across the state of Arkansas and in other states and countries where highly successful alumni are concentrated.