Giving back
Scholarship paves way for engineering education
John Henry Walker and Lillie Mae Sanders Walker Memorial Scholarship recipient William Anthony Peoples (center) of Aberdeen is congratulated by Tyrus McCarty (left), administrator of special affairs in engineering; Henry Allen Walker, engineering alumnus who established the award; Kai-Fong Lee, engineering dean; and Donald Cole, assistant to the chancellor. Photo by Nathan Latil
H
enry Allen Walker (BSEE 76) of Southaven believes in giving back.
As the first in his family to earn a college degree, the engineering alumnus has decided to make the same opportunity available to another Mississippian by creating an all-expenses-paid endowed scholarship in the School of Engineering.
Walker said he established the scholarship as a tribute to his late parents.
“Neither of my parents had the opportunity to finish high school, but they knew the value of having an education to provide and pursue opportunities for a better life,” Walker said. “Their encouragement, sacrifices and hard work gave me the opportunity to attend Ole Miss and become the first member in my family to earn a college degree.”
A native of Louisville, Walker received an MBA from the University of Southern Mississippi. A longtime employee of International Paper Company, he has served on the UM Alumni Association board of directors, the Engineering Alumni Board, the steering committee for the Campaign for Engineering Excellence and the Black Alumni Advisory Board. He has been building the John Henry Walker and Lillie Mae Sanders Walker Memorial Scholarship endowment since the 1990s.
William Anthony Peoples of Aberdeen was selected last fall as its inaugural recipient. Peoples, a freshman, expressed his appreciation for being chosen for the scholarship, which will cover tuition, room and board during his time in the School of Engineering. “This award really helped me decide to come to Ole Miss,” Peoples said. “I wouldn’t be here without it.”
Walker is now concentrating on growing the endowment in hopes of increasing the amount of the scholarship and number of recipients. He also hopes his commitment to Ole Miss will help start a tradition within his own family.