[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 69 (Tuesday, May 15, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E786-E787]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING LEWIS N. WALKER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 15, 2012

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Lewis N. 
Walker, who will retire next month after years of distinguished service 
at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Michigan.
  Dr. Walker joined Lawrence Tech in 1994, serving as provost for 12 
years. During that time, he improved student access to computer 
technology, expanded international partnerships, and developed facility 
improvements to support emerging technologies and career fields. Dr. 
Walker is also credited with fostering and instituting the only 
required undergraduate leadership program in the country outside the 
Nation's three military academies.
  In 2005, again through Dr. Walker's efforts, the University began a 
unique partnership with the Ferndale Public Schools to establish 
University High School, which offers a rigorous preparatory curriculum 
for public school students. This partnership is making a difference. A 
full 99 percent of University High School's first three graduating 
classes received their diploma, and 85 percent have gone on to higher 
education.
  In 2006, Dr. Walker was made President of LTU. The severe economic 
downturn that began the following year brought a time of extraordinary 
challenge for the country, and especially for the State of Michigan. 
With steep job losses, especially in our State's vital auto and 
manufacturing sectors, there was a clear need for retraining of 
displaced workers. Through Dr. Walker's leadership, Lawrence Tech 
stepped up and addressed the challenge through the ``Recovery Starts 
Here'' initiative, which provided grants to over 650 displaced workers 
and supported efforts to diversify Michigan's economy. This program was 
widely replicated and serves as an example of the vital synergies that 
can and should exist between institutions of higher education and our 
Nation's economy.
  Building on the successful redevelopment of the campus quadrangle and 
A. Alfred Taubman Student Services Center, Dr. Walker set in motion the 
next phase of growth of LTU by laying the groundwork for development of 
a state-of-the-art Engineering, Life Sciences, and Architecture 
Complex. Over the years, my office has been pleased to work closely 
with Dr. Walker and his team on efforts to expand

[[Page E787]]

the University's Center for Innovative Materials Research. Dr. Walker 
has signed 40 agreements with other leading universities around the 
world to encourage partnerships and exchange programs.
  Prior to his career at Lawrence Tech, Dr. Walker served at the 
University of Hartford as dean of engineering and a professor of 
electrical engineering. He holds three degrees from the University of 
Missouri-Columbia and has published more than 50 technical papers.
  In so many ways, Dr. Walker's years of service at LTU have left the 
University and the community better than he found them. I urge all my 
colleagues to join me in honoring Lewis Walker as he steps down as 
President of Lawrence Technological University next month. I feel 
certain that the University and the State of Michigan will continue to 
benefit from his talents for many years to come.

                          ____________________