THE WALKER LEGACY

By HQ Staff

Guy Morrison Walker

The Walker legacy from DePauw University (DPU) boasts six generations of Phi Psis over a span of 140 years. The list below begins with one of Indiana Alpha’s founding fathers, Wilbur F. Walker 1865. His son, Guy M. Walker 1887, established the Walker Cup, an award presented annually to the member of the senior class who is determined to have accomplished the most for DePauw during his or her time on campus.

With assistance from the DePauw University Libraries, verification was made that 10 Phi Psi brothers have been awarded the Walker Cup since its 1927 inception. The first to receive this distinction was Robert T. Kimberlin 1927, whose father, Robert O. Kimberlin 1900, also was an Indiana Alphan!

One of the three recipients from the 1960s, James H. Nyenhius ’66, recalled, “I received the award in May 1969 just prior to graduation. I was voted the student body president and student senate president for the 1968-69 academic year. Also, I was a Rector Scholar and member of the DPU debate team. I have very fond memories of my time as a Phi Psi at DePauw and remain in good contact with several brothers.”

Eric R. Hauck ’93 received the Walker Cup, and he shared his reflection on the distinction.

“Being chosen as the winner of the 1996 Walker Cup Award was an unexpected and beautiful honor for me. It is an incredible legacy that the Walker family has left for generations of DPU students. Unlike many collegiate awards that are purely based on popularity or academic and athletic comparisons, the beauty of the Walker Cup is its desire to affirm and celebrate the balanced virtues of character, leadership, community involvement, academic excellence, and humanitarian awareness. As a member of Indiana Alpha and resident of the ‘Rockpile,’ I loved bringing the award back to the Phi Psi brotherhood.

Since May of 1996, I have lived a life blessed by many unexpected experiences of success and failure, of joy and pain. I look back on the Walker Cup as a concrete reminder in my life that anything is possible, that each one of us holds great value and has something unique to offer this world, and that there is hope for all of us no matter how difficult the journey of life! Humbly grateful … “

The most recent Phi Psi to receive the Walker Cup was in 2023. JD O’Keane ’20 described the impact of the honor along with his passion for the future of the Fraternity.

“The Walker Cup embodies the highest ideals of our brotherhood: service, academic excellence, respect for others, personal integrity, and a deep sense of community. As a recipient it is not only a testament to my hard work and dedication in all areas of my life but also serves as a reminder of the encouragement of my brothers, and a commitment to honoring the legacy of Phi Psis who have come before me. This achievement goes beyond personal recognition, it is about inspiring future generations of Phi Psi to carry forward these values with pride and purpose.”

The Walker family is an amazing example of the way our organization is framed to build character, instill values, and share a common goal. Weaving their legacy with ours, intertwining individual threads, we are creating a beautiful pattern for each generation to enjoy.

We Live and Flourish!