Here’s a photo of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in 1972 from the Northern Michigan University Peninsulan year book. Dr. Walker is in the middle row, furthest right. (Photo courtesy of the Marquette Regional History Center)

MARQUETTE — After a period of racial tensions in 1968 on Northern Michigan University’s campus, President John X. Jamrich instituted programs to alleviate the ongoing strife between the black and white students, the administration, and members of the community.

One of the programs implemented was the Black Student Services and the first director hired was Arthur Dewitt Walker, Jr.

Art grew up in South Haven, Michigan and attended South Haven High School where he was an All-Big Seven Conference tackle and a catcher on the baseball team. He was also president of the student council.

He received an Elmer Gedeon scholarship to the University of Michigan based on “moral character, good citizenship, scholastic ability and achievement, promise of leadership and success, and physical ability.”

He played left tackle at U of M from 1952-1954.

In 1952 Art was named an All-Big Ten Conference player. He suffered from injuries in 1953 but in 1954 he played more minutes than any other player on the team, 479 out of the 540 minutes in Michigan’s nine-game schedule. That same year, he was selected as an All-American.

While in college, he met his wife, Jeanne Marani.

After graduation, he was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 12th round of the 1955 NFL Draft, but he opted instead to play in the Canadian Football League. At the time he told a reporter that Canada offered more money than the NFL.

Art played professionally for the Edmonton Eskimos from 1955 to 1961 as an offensive tackle and defensive guard.

Walker injured his Achilles tendon and missed most of the 1960 season. He recovered enough to play in 1961 but in the final game of that season, he reinjured his ankle. At the end of the game, as he hobbled to the sidelines, Art admitted to a reporter that he knew his football career was over.

Art and his wife, Jeanne, intended to remain in Edmonton where they both had good teaching jobs in the public school system. In 1962 he graduated from the University of Alberta.

After seven years of teaching, the family returned from Canada so Art and Jeanne could obtain their master’s degrees from Michigan State University in 1965 and then their doctorates from the University of Illinois in 1970.

In 1970 they both accepted teaching positions at Northern Michigan University in Marquette. Walker was a counselor, psychologist and associate professor of education. He was also chairman of the university’s Human Rights Commission and director of its Black Studies Program.

Art was known for his sewing skills and made clothing for his three daughters, Andrea, Leslie and Melissa. He even presented to the home economics students at Bothwell Middle School.

In May 1973, tragedy struck when Art died suddenly at just 39 years old. He and a student were scuba diving in 25 feet of water, approximately 100 feet offshore from the Black Rocks cove at Presque Isle. The student noticed that Art was having trouble with his equipment, including “a free flowing of air from his scuba diving regulator.”

When they surfaced, Art inflated his life vest and struggled briefly before going limp. Despite lifesaving attempts, he was pronounced dead on arrival at St. Luke’s Hospital. The cause of death was found to be cardiac arrest. At the time of his death, Art had already resigned to NMU and was set to leave the area that summer.

The Arthur Walker Memorial Scholarship was established at NMU in Art’s honor. The first year after his death, a fashion show was held in his memory. His daughter, Leslie made a dress that she modeled. All monies donated went to the scholarship. It is awarded to full-time or transfer minority students, who have demonstrated financial need, sophomore standing or higher and a minimum GPA of 2.5. Recipients are expected to “actively work to foster the cause of minority students at NMU.”

Following Art’s death, Jeanne returned to Edmonton where she led a distinguished career as a high school educator and counselor.