Eric A. Walker*

Born in 1910 in Long Eaton, England, Eric Walker earned his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Harvard University. Also from Harvard, he earned a master's degree in business administration and a doctorate in general science and engineering.

During World War II, Walker served as associate director of the Underwater Sound Laboratory, located first at Harvard and then relocated on the campus of Pennsylvania State University.

After the war, Walker became head of Penn State's Department of Electrical Engineering. He was named dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture in 1951. Five years later, he became vice president for research. In 1956, he was named president of the university. During his tenure, which ended in 1970, Penn State increased its student population from 13,000 to 40,000, becoming one of the largest universities in the country. Walker also directed the creation of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.