Walker Speaks, Receives Major Award At UB Commencement

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Joshua W. Walker of Corfu, a 1999 graduate of the University at Buffalo, was student speaker and recipient of a major award on May 16 at the university's 153rd commencement ceremony, where degrees were awarded to students in the university's College of Arts and Sciences.

Walker received the 1999 Senior Leadership Award, presented annually by the UB Division of Student Affairs to one senior who has exhibited extraordinary leadership in his or her undergraduate career.

Walker, who received a degree in English and a degree in political science and journalism, also was recognized at the ceremony as one of four UB recipients of a 1999 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Academic Excellence. The awards were presented earlier this spring at a ceremony in Albany.

Walker served as editor-in-chief of The Spectrum, the tri-weekly student newspaper, for the 1997-98 academic year, supervising a staff of 25 editors and 100 writers and writing weekly editorials. He also has served as the art director of The Ari, the Jewish student newspaper, and as a reporter for WBFO 88.7 FM, the National Public Radio affiliate operated by UB.

During his undergraduate career, Walker also was a UB leadership peer educator, a member of Alpha Tau Omega Leadership Fraternity, a member of Mortar Board National Leadership Honor Society and vice president of Order of Omega National Honor Society.

His volunteer work included work as a peer writing tutor and as vice president of Drive Safe, the UB drive-sober club.

Walker plans to attend law school in Fall 1999.