Webster U. receives $10 million gift

Webster University has received a gift of $10 million, the largest in the university's 92-year history, from former U.S. Ambassador George H. Walker III.

Walker has designated the gift to benefit the university's School of Business and Technology.

News of the gift was delivered during a celebration event Monday morning, Oct. 8, at Webster's Community Music School.

"Ambassador Walker is a man whose life can be measured by integrity, patriotism, philanthropy, and his deep and abiding friendships," said Webster U. president Richard S. Meyers. "For more than a quarter century, he has embraced and promoted Webster University around the world. Now, he gives us the means by which we will carry our mission, our vision and the pioneering spirit of this university into the future."

Walker said, "The thing that makes me most excited about Webster is its tremendous and very exciting international outreach. Having served abroad in Hungary for three years, I became increasingly aware of how important it is for individuals to have part of their life exposed to living in the culture of another country. I don't know of any institution that can offer that better than Webster."

In addition to Webster's international outreach, Walker cited the accessibility it offers to students who are unable to afford the hefty tuition that many universities charge.

"Webster's tuition base is considerably below that, so it can give an outstanding education to students who don't have the financial resources," he said.

"I think that education is so important in bridging the gap between the haves and the have-nots," Walker said. "It's education that's going to open the door in terms of leadership of institutions, of leadership of the United States. So if there's any one area that I would want to put my money where I think it would have a good return, it's in the educational field."

Walker challenged Webster alumni and the St. Louis community at large to match his contribution.

"Along with Ambassador Walker's gift, meeting this challenge will empower the university to reach even further and higher," Meyers said.

Walker's ties to Webster date back more than 30 years. He joined the university's board of trustees in 1974 at the invitation of former Webster president Leigh Gerdine.

"I made the decision that I wanted to be affiliated with Webster at that point because I thought Webster was a growing institution, and it appeared to have a bright future," Walker said. "I thought that would be more fun and would serve my interests in becoming a contributor to the St. Louis community."

In addition to serving several terms on Webster's board, Walker was elected board chairman in 1987, a position he held until 1992. He was named a life trustee of the university in 2003 and currently serves as chairman of the advisory board of Webster's School of Business and Technology.

Walker is a graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School. He also has received honorary degrees from Webster University and Harris-Stowe State University, and recently from two Hungarian universities - the University of Pecs and St. Istvan University.

Submitted by Webster University's public information department