J. Lawrence Walkup

“J. Lawrence Walkup known as a History-maker”

J. Lawrence Walkup was one of the most influential presidents that came into this college and made a huge change for the good of the faculty, people, students and Flagstaff. Dr. Walkup was the eleventh president of Northern Arizona University from 1957 to 1979, “He was liked, trusted and, above all, respected for the capabilities which they had come to recognize in him” (Hutchinson 1972, 16).

Dr. Walkup was appointed President of the college in December 21, 1957 due to the previous President Lacey A. Eastburn illness absences and death. Prior to his Presidency appointment, Dr. Walkup, “ Joined the faculty of Arizona State College at Flagstaff on June 5, 1948, and that fall he was appointed director of the college elementary school. In 1950, he was appointed head of the education department and director of placement. In November of 1953, he took over the duties of dean of instruction and on July 1, 1955, he became dean of the college “ (Hutchinson 1972, 16). These were key steps to his success and President appointment, since without them he wouldn’t have been successful. This is not including his skills, strengths and determination to make the most out of the college.

Walkup was a financially stable and competitive bargainer. He fought for his ideas to become realities. In order to get the extra three million in capital outlay [for the Northern Arizona University Walkup Dome], [it] had to be approved by the Legislature…The dream of building a dome [which will one day be renamed after Walkup] was starting to become a reality, although there were still some financial issues (2014, Northern Arizona University Associated Students). He used the leverage of the other two Arizona colleges, Arizona State and University of Arizona, to get the financial backbone for the now called Walkup Dome. Walkup stated, “Since the State of Arizona had built the McKale Center at the University of Arizona and an Activity Center for Arizona State University, both at a cost of more than $8 million, it should be willing to support up to $3 million for some facility at Northern Arizona University” (2014, Northern Arizona University Associated Students).

Lee C. Drickamer and Peter J. Runge wrote a book called, ‘Northern Arizona University: Buildings as History’ in 2011. This excerpt is a sketch from his book. Northern Arizona University underwent phenomenal growth and change under the leadership of President Walkup. Walkup took over as President in 1957 at what was once called Arizona State College of Flagstaff, being the face of leadership to one thousand students. At the time, there were twenty-two building over the span of one-hundred and sixty acres. After a twenty-two-year term as president, “…he retired in 1979, the institution had become a university, had risen to over eleven times the number of students on campus. Over 12,000 students include[ing] extension…The physical plan had expanded from 160- acre area to 702 acres encompassing sixty-nine structures…Imagine, from twenty-two buildings to sixty-nine, and it had increased in value from eight million to 150 million dollars” (1996, Poen).

Two different people but one main goal, it didn’t matter who was in charge or where they came from. Their main goal was to make the best out of Northern Arizona University and provide a better landscape, community and inclusion to the faculty and students. Dr. Walkup may have had a greater impact due to his 27 years as a president but Dr. Lovett brought more moral and education programs to the school. Each individual did what it had to be done to accomplish higher student enrollment and provide better education programs to the Flagstaff community. Both presidents were known for caring about their people, and fighting for what was right. Their actions demonstrated what type of person they were and what they were willing to do.