Dr. Russ Walker Memorial Environmental Science Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship is being established by members of Dr. Russ Walker’s family as a memorial to honor his passion and commitment for teaching; his love of the outdoors and the environment; and his 26 years at Colorado Mesa University.
Dr. Russ Walker made his mark in the field of environmental science and conservation through the lives of his students, friends and family. Harnessing his connection with people, Walker contributed to the conservation of thousands of acres of habitat in western Colorado. He instilled in those around him a conservation ethos

Walker’s former student, Sarah Dodge, believes Dr. Walker was a mentor who demanded much from his students and was motivated by a vision for a better world though a healthy environment.
“He was more than an intelligent mentor who pushed us to do great things,” said Dodge. “Dr. Walker, through his rigorous teaching, demanded superior performance from us students. That demand prepared us for life after college as many of us began following in his footsteps.”

Walker accomplished a feat in life that many do not. He integrated his work with his personal passions making both about the people and environment that he loved. Walker’s hobbies included kayaking, skiing, biking, hiking and snowshoeing. He also enjoyed horseback riding and celebrated the sport’s legacy by attending equestrian shows with his daughter Kate.

For Walker, protecting and enjoying the environment was not just about recreation. He also served the cause through the Colorado West Land Trust where he was a board member beginning in 2013.
Walker was a person of diverse skills and talents.

He demonstrated that the world of science could be blended with the field of arts as he pursued studies in trumpet and piano at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music prior to acquiring a doctorate in analytical chemistry.

CMU Professor of Environmental Sciences, Tamera Minnick, Ph.D. was a longtime colleague of Walker and is among the many coordinators of the memorial restoration day.
“Russ was a colleague and a role model,” said Tamera Minnick, a longtime colleague of Walker. “Russ understood creating a better world required community effort. CMU President Tim Foster noted that Walker was an institution of one around campus and contributed in numerous ways as CMU evolved from a college to a university.”
“Russ witnessed tremendous transformational change at CMU and helped us adapt and grow,”" said Foster. “He supported change when he believed it was right, challenged us all to be better when he believed we should, and contributed to a better CMU for everyone. He will be missed.”