The Jerry A. Walker Endowed Chair Fund was established in 2021 by Christine Walker to support an endowed chair in memory of her husband, Jerry A. Walker.
Jerry Arnold Walker started at the University of Illinois in September 1966 and graduated with high honors and highest distinction in the chemistry curriculum in May 1969. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. From September 1969 to August 1973, Jerry was a doctoral candidate with Professor Jack E. Baldwin at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Jerry was awarded a PhD degree in the field of organic chemistry for his thesis on studies in sigma tropic rearrangements. This four-year period included 10 months of research at the University of London, King’s College. Dr. Walker completed postdoctoral studies in synthetic methodologies for prostaglandins with Professor David A. Evans at the University of California at Los Angeles and at the California Institute of Technology.
Although both Dr. Walker and his wife (Christine) had advanced degrees in chemistry, they worked for most of their careers in the pharmaceutical industry in non-laboratory positions. However, their belief was always unerring that there is no substitute for a quality education in the sciences. They considered the Midwest their home. Naming a chemistry chair at Jerry’s alma mater is an expression of this belief and of their commitment to their home.
Dr. Walker obtained a position as a research scientist in the Chemical Process Research and Development Division of The Upjohn Company in January 1975. The goal in the laboratory was to find innovative and commercially viable chemical processes for large scale manufacture of pharmaceutical compounds. Jerry progressed quickly through the scientific ranks and was promoted to his first management position in 1983. Jerry was cited as playing a distinguished role in the development of new processes for clindamycin phosphate, anti-inflammatories and corticosteroids. He was a leader in the development of cephalosporin technology, cefpimazole and ceftiofur, and the, then current, synthesis of clindamycin. He was author or co-author of several technical patents.
From 1985 to 1996, Dr. Walker was, successively, director of Research Preparations, of Process R & D, and then of Analytical Methods and Services. In 1996, Jerry was promoted to Vice President, Bulk Drug Process Research & Development and Quality/Environmental Compliance, Chemical & Fermentation Operations. Two years later, Jerry assumed responsibility for global active pharmaceutical ingredient process R & D being conducted in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Nerviano, Italy and Stockholm, Sweden, in what had become by then the Pharmacia & Upjohn Company.
Dr. Walker was an active member of PhRMA, serving as chairman of the bulk pharmaceuticals committee (1999-2000). After successfully overseeing project transfers for Midwest pharmaceutical sciences, due to the next two industry mergers, Jerry left his chemistry career early in 2004.
Shortly after his retirement, Jerry decided to embark on a new “career” as a golf rules official. He completed studies and tests to achieve the highest level of rating with regards to knowledge of the rules of golf as prescribed by the Professional Golf Association and the United States Golf Association (USGA). Jerry worked as a rules official at numerous high school, college and amateur golf tournaments in the states of Michigan and Georgia. He was selected by the USGA to be a member of the US Mid-Am Championship Committee, thus acting as one of the rules officials in national tournaments in the states of Illinois, Alabama, and Pennsylvania. Jerry was also named to the inaugural USGA US Amateur Four Ball Championship Committee.