[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 73 (Monday, May 21, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S3326]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO DR. LEWIS N. WALKER

 Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, today I, along with my Senate 
colleague from Michigan, Senator Stabenow, recognize Dr. Lewis Walker, 
a dynamic and forward thinking leader who has been a driving force 
behind Lawrence Technological University's growth and continued 
success. Dr. Walker retires in June after 18 years at Lawrence Tech, 
the last 6 as President and CEO.
  Ensuring students acquire the skills necessary to meet the challenges 
of an ever-changing, global workplace has been a central tenet of Dr. 
Walker's work at Lawrence Tech. Since joining Lawrence Tech in 1994, 
Dr. Walker has sought innovative ways to expand the university's 
academic footprint. A hallmark of his tenure has been his commitment to 
broadening academic opportunities for students, pursuing international 
partnerships, and expanding the university's technological 
infrastructure.
  This work led to the creation of a number of certificate and degree 
programs at Lawrence Tech, from the associate to the doctoral level, 
and notably includes programs in robotics, defense and sustainability. 
Impressively, during his tenure, the number of academic programs the 
university offers has expanded from 60 to more than 100 and more than 
40 ``fast track'' certificate programs have been created to help 
dislocated workers transition to new career paths.
  Dr. Walker also emphasized leadership, believing that ``Our aim has 
been to imbue in our graduates the ability to have confidence in 
themselves.'' This focus is truly perceptive. Seeking to integrate 
leadership throughout the University experience, Lawrence Tech now 
includes leadership training as part of its undergraduate experience. 
Under Dr. Walker's leadership Lawrence Tech also forged a partnership 
with the Ferndale Public Schools to establish the University High 
School, a high school designed to challenge its students academically 
and expose them to the university experience. Its core focus is to 
prepare public high school students for success in college and beyond.
  Dr. Walker has a distinguished academic background. He holds 3 
degrees, including a Ph.D. in electrical engineering and has published 
more than 50 technical papers. Before joining Lawrence Tech, he served 
at the University of Hartford in various capacities, including dean of 
engineering and special assistant to the president. Earlier this year, 
he was awarded the 2012 Gold Award from the Affiliate Council of 
Engineering Society of Detroit for his outstanding work in science and 
engineering.
  Throughout his professional career, Dr. Walker has worked tirelessly 
to find solutions to pressing concerns and to position Lawrence Tech to 
meet the challenges of tomorrow. The Lawrence Tech community is a 
better place as a result of his efforts, and we know his wife, Nancy 
and their children and grandchildren are proud of his many 
accomplishments over his long and illustrious career. We wish Dr. 
Walker and his family the best as he embarks on the next chapter of his 
life.

                          ____________________