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Donna Walden earns Distinguished Alumni honors
April 1, 2003 | |||||
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KOKOMO,Ind.—Donna J. Walden loves school. Recipient of the IU Kokomo Alumni Association’s 2003 Distinguished Alumni Award, Walden has spent her life as both educator and student. She taught elementary grades from 1967–1989 for Western School Corporation, then became the corporation’s curriculum director for 10 years, and spent another 3 years as its assistant superintendent. Her degrees include a B.S. and an M.S. both in Elementary Education earned at IU Kokomo in 1970 and 1975, respectively; an M.S. in Administration and Supervision with school principal certification from IU Bloomington in 1986; and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Administration with superintendent certification from Purdue University in 1994. Since retiring in 2001, the Russiaville resident has kept busy with lots of volunteer projects, including helping the Howard County Partners in Education put on its annual “Welcome to the Real World” and “Living in the Real World” programs. “There’s something in me that says, “You have to give back to your community,’ ” Walden said. Her father, Richard Rea, who spent 35 years with Western School Corporation, as a principal and superintendent, clearly influenced Walden’s career. Her mother, Virginia Rea, was an executive secretary and administrator for Haynes Stellite. “They were both very professional people, and they inspired me,” Walden said. Walden belonged to the first IU Kokomo class to earn bachelor’s degrees in education. Most undergraduate classes were lectures, with limited student interaction, she said. “There were no technology classes except one on learning how to operate a 16mm film projector.” She took about 30 hours of elective classes in psychology, convinced that, as a teacher, “it is important to have a good understanding of how children develop, what phases they go through, and what motivates them.” Memorable Division of Education professors Walden encountered included Bill Inskeep, Allen Maxwell, Harold Brinegar, LaVelle Fortenberry, and Lyndan Hill. She recalled attending classes in the Sieberling Mansion and the campus’ move to its present site in 1965. “The new buildings and plenty of parking were welcome changes,” Walden said. “Havens Auditorium was huge and beautiful.” Walden also saw plenty of change in education overall during her career. “The biggest change I felt was the impact of the state,” she said. “We needed to document and report everything to the state, and we worked together to meet the state’s new curriculum standards.” Public schools initiated major reforms in how we served the needs of special education students and gifted students, needs that Walden helped Western School Corporation address as an administrator. Retirement has brought more time for Donna to travel and to enjoy her family—husband, Dan, 4 children and 10 grandchildren. An avid pianist, Walden plays for services at Main Street Christian Church in Russiaville. She also teaches adult Sunday school and Ladies Bible Study. She serves on the church’s worship team and as its missions chairman. Her other volunteer efforts are with the Kokomo Rescue Mission, where she serves with the Open Arms Ministry for homeless women and children. Professionally, she participates with the Indiana Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Delta Kappa Gamma, and Phi Delta Kappa.
The IU Kokomo Alumni Association will present its 2003 Distinguished Service Award and Distinguished Alumni Award at the Cream and Crimson Dinner Saturday, May 10, in Kelley Student Center at 6 p.m. The dinner is open to all alumni and friends of the campus. For information, call the Office of Alumni Relations at (765) 455-9411.
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