Dr. Cecil Walker Helped Foster a Lifelong Commitment to Midland for His Family |

Education was of the utmost importance to Dr. Cecil Walker.

In his lengthy career as a teacher, coach, official, and longtime Director of Education at Midland University, making sure everyone received a good education was at the core of his belief system.

The Walker family is being recognized with Midland University’s Distinguished Family Award during a ceremony Sunday, Oct. 20th at the Wikert Event Center.

Dr. Walker served as Director of Education at Midland from 1960 to 1981. The Walker School of Education was named in his honor in 2017.

“My dad understood the power of education,” said Tom Walker, ’81, the youngest of three siblings. “My brother, sister, and I were all very appreciative of having the school named in his honor. We wanted him to be remembered for his love of education. We are very proud to have dad and mom’s name associated with the school, and if anyone deserved to have their name attached to something, it was my dad.”

Tom said Cecil’s devotion to education was realized at a young age when he was making the decision of what to do after high school. “Both his parents died when he was pretty young,” Tom said. “I think he always thought he would end up working at Peterson Manufacturing in his hometown of DeWitt. The people in town saw something in him and convinced him to go to Peru State. He ended up getting his doctorate and always had a lot of gratitude for what an education can do for you.”

After graduating from Peru State and serving in the military, Cecil started his teaching and coaching career at Weeping Water High School and would eventually move on to high schools in Milford and Seward. In 1960, the opportunity to expand his impact on education arrived when he accepted his position at Midland. “I think he was ready for something new, and Midland was a great opportunity for him,” Tom said.

He remained at Midland for the next 21 years, seeing all three of his children (Sondra ’69, Bob ’73, and Tom) each graduate. Cecil was not only employed by Midland, but he and his wife, Laila, became part of the fabric of the university. 

“Mom and Dad were both very involved,” Tom said. “Mom was part of a group called Women at Midland and I always remember her baking cakes for students on their birthdays–and I would deliver the cakes.

“My siblings and I basically grew up around Midland. I remember going to the City Auditorium to watch basketball games and my dad taking me into the locker room afterward to meet the players. I remember Hopkins Arena being built in the late 1960s and many family nights at Midland. Midland is certainly part of my DNA.”

After retiring from Midland in 1981, Cecil’s work in education continued as he served as the Dodge County Superintendent of Schools. He was also a longtime athletics official, a passion he passed on to Tom. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Nebraska School Activities Association in 1991 and became the first official to be inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. He was also inducted into the Hall of Fame at both Midland and Peru State.

His love for Midland spread to his children and even grandchildren. Sondra met and later married her husband, Jim Raasch ’69, while at Midland. Bob and Tom would later follow in Sondra’s footsteps and graduate from Midland, while two of Tom’s children, Mitchell ’16 and Becca (Walker) Roxburgh ’17, both graduated from Midland. Mitchell’s wife, Sydney, has worked at Midland since 2016 and currently serves as Director of Institutional Branding & Marketing.

“I had the time of my life at Midland,” Tom said. “I have always believed in the mission of schools like Midland. Not everyone wants to attend a big state school, so you need a different niche available to students.

“Midland has always been like a family to me. People who are dedicated to Midland are there because they want to see kids develop and help them become all they can be. There are a lot of great Midland graduates walking around in this world.”

Along with the Walker School of Education, Tom also helped establish the Dr. Cecil and Laila Walker Memorial Scholarship after Cecil’s passing in 2007.  The scholarship is awarded to a student admitted to the education department and planning a career in teaching. Applicants must also demonstrate financial need, high academic achievement, and a commitment to the teaching profession.

Tom has served on the Midland Board of Directors since 2019. He and his wife, Laura, along with Tom’s siblings, have been great supporters of Midland over the years. Sondra and Jim have both passed away, but Tom knows the magnitude this award would have meant to his sister. “Midland was always deep in Sondra’s heart, so she would have loved this,” he said. “I want to see Midland go on forever, and we’ve tried to do our little bit to invest in that. Receiving this award is a beautiful thank you from the institution.”