The NAACP has recognized Kale Walker, human resources director with the Indiana State University Foundation, with the Clara Luper Youth & College Advisor of the Year Award.
The award is presented to one adult from each of the seven regions around the nation who demonstrate excellent leadership and guidance while assisting young people in their civil rights activities.
The NAACP presented the award Tuesday during its annual convention in Las Vegas. Walker was one of seven regional winners. This is the first time that Indiana State has received the national award. The university won second place in 2009 for the National College Chapter of the year and has been recognized as State Chapter of the Year for four consecutive years.Indiana State\'s NAACP student chapter nominated Walker for the award based on his dedicated day-to-day influence within the chapter, along with a yearlong compilation of his work with the events the chapter presented to campus.
Walker holds three degrees from Indiana State and hopes to one day pursue a Ph.D. in higher education. He has been director of human resources at the ISU Foundation since 2008, and has served as the NAACP student chapter advisor at Indiana State for 3 1/2 years.
\"My full time job is director of HR for the foundation, but our whole purpose for being here is the students,\" Walker said. \"The kids are in my office daily. If it\'s for instructions, a pep talk, how to deal with a professor, personal issues, or just a caring face... I\'m there for them.\"
Walker said he did not have positive mentors growing up, but he has found that in his life now, and some of those mentors are his students.
\"[Receiving this award] lets me know that I\'m doing right by the students,\" He said. \"This is not my award; this award truly belongs to the students, because it\'s actually them who made a difference on campus.\"
Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/photos/i-mvqWNZ8/0/L/i-mvqWNZ8-L.jpg
Writer: Sadie All, media relations assistant, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3773 or sall@sycamores.indstate.edu