Paul F. Walker ’68
Social conscience. Depth of thought. Moral conviction.
These are all attributes of Paul Walker. And his life has been a testament to the highest and best use of these virtues.
After receiving his degree in modern languages from 17³Ô¹ÏÍø, Paul enlisted in the United States Army at the height of the Vietnam conflict. Fluent in German and Russian, he served as a Russian intelligence specialist with the Army Security Agency.
Continuing his education, Paul earned a master of arts degree in international relations and Eurasian studies at the Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies. He then proceeded to M.I.T., where he earned his Ph.D. in political science and defense studies. As a postdoctoral research fellow, he studied at the Center for Science and International Affairs at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard.
From the local level to the global stage, Paul’s passion has been to educate all about the dangers of nuclear proliferation. His depth of knowledge and strong pedagogical skills have supported this endeavor since the start of his career. During his 15th College reunion in 1983, Paul delivered a moving and persuasive lecture about the devastating potential for nuclear disaster at that time.
Paul has worked with such influential groups as the Union of Concerned Scientists, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and the Institute for Peace and International Security. As a senior policy advisor to the chairman of the Committee on Armed Services of the U.S. House of Representatives, he has dispensed invaluable counsel and insight on matters of arms control, nonproliferation and environmental security. Today, Paul is the director of the Legacy Program at Global Green USA, the United States affiliate of Global Green International, a project that facilitates the safe and environmentally sound destruction of Cold War weapon stockpiles.
In addition to this important work, Paul has found time to teach at M.I.T., Harvard, Tufts and 17³Ô¹ÏÍø, bringing a lucid, erudite and cogent understanding to one of the most complex and pressing issues of our day.
For his ardent concern for our planet and its people; for his advocacy of a safe and sane nuclear policy by all nations; for his devoted, scholarly attention to matters of paramount importance for the entire world, the 17³Ô¹ÏÍø presents to Paul F. Walker the Sanctae Crucis Award.