President Richard Meyers' Speech
Webster University - October 8, 2007

Thank you Doug!  This is indeed a remarkable day at Webster University and I, too, genuinely welcome each and every one of you to today’s incredible announcement.

During my past 13 years at Webster University I have witnessed transformational growth that has taken us to new levels of educational quality and new corners of the world.  It’s time to celebrate!  Webster Works! The world of Webster now spans 3 continents and 9 countries—and there are still many roads we have yet to travel.  We are dazzled by the future and all it holds, and today we welcome a committed benefactor…George Herbert Walker III.

Bert is the Chairman Emeritus of Stifel Financial Corporation and Stifel, Nicolaus and Company.  Bert has also served on the Board of the Midwest Stock Exchange, the Regional Firms Advisory Committee of the New York Stock Exchange and the Executive Committee of the Securities Industry Association.  Add to this accomplished list of business endeavors an undergraduate degree from Yale and a law degree from Harvard.  Let me continue. Locally, Ambassador Walker has been an active and concerned community citizen as the founder of the Citizens for Home Rule, Chairman of the now Downtown St. Louis Partnership, co-chairman along with his wife Carol of the Alexis de Toqueville Society of the United Way, former board chairman of the  Missouri Historical Society, a commissioner and treasurer of the St. Louis Science Center, and a member of the boards of the Urban League, Washington University’s National Council for the Olin School of Business and the Siteman Cancer Center Advisory Board.  In 2003, George Herbert Walker III was sworn in as the United States Ambassador to Hungary by then Secretary of State Colin Powell.  I’ll stop here, but I assure you I could continue to expound on Bert’s additional achievements.

Add his equally accomplished wife Carol, eight children and ten grandchildren…a large, loving and dynamic family and you begin to understand Bert Walker, an extraordinary man living an extraordinary life.
 

George Herbert Walker is a man whose life can be measured by integrity, patriotism, philanthropy, and his deep and abiding friendships.

I’m lucky.  I have had the opportunity to work with Ambassador Walker on a regular basis since I became President of the University in 1994. 

For more than a quarter of a century….thirty-three years to be exact….Ambassador Walker has embraced and promoted the mission and values of Webster University around the world. As a Board member, Board chairman, chairman of the Daniel Webster Society, and chairman of the School of Business and Technology Advisory Board, Bert has been and is a wise advisor and trusted friend.  Coincidentally, thirty-three years is also the number of years I’ve been a college or university president, but today stands out.  Something unique is happening that is downright extraordinary.

Today, I am honored and thrilled to announce the largest donation in the university’s history ….. a gift that promotes the University’s vision and its entrepreneurial spirit well into the future.  George Herbert Walker III has generously committed a gift of ten million dollars to Webster University’s School of Business and Technology.  

In addition Ambassador Walker challenges the community-at-large to match his contribution.  Meeting this challenge will further empower the university to reach even higher levels of accomplishment and achievement.

Ladies and gentlemen, I now present a man who finds genuine joy and fulfillment in the goodness of giving rather than in the rewards of receiving ….George Herbert Walker III!!

*****

What a day for Webster University! Ambassador and Mrs. Walker, on behalf of every member of the Board of Trustees, every student, faculty member and staff member… on behalf of all Webster University alumni and friends throughout our worldwide network… and on behalf of all those gathered here today, I accept your gift and thank you for your awe-inspiring generosity. 

This is a landmark that will be embedded forever in the history of Webster University.  As with everything in life, huge successes occur because of a team.  Joining me on that team was Donna Wilkinson, Jerry Ritter, Yakko Meyers, Neil George, Karen Luebbert and Benjamin Akande.  Thank you team and thank you all for coming!