The Bishop John T. Walker Awards
In recognition of the years of dedicated service of the late John Thomas Walker to the Black Student Fund and to its many students who benefited from his exemplary leadership, his moral commitment to an integrated society, and his unselfish devotion to serve all people in the Washington Metropolitan community, on April 18, 1990, the Trustees of the Black Student Fund resolved to establish the Bishop John T. Walker Awards.
The Reverend John Thomas Walker, Dean of the Washington National Cathedral and Vice-President of the National House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church, was the first black Episcopal Bishop of Washington, DC. Reverend Walker was Chair of the Black Student Fund Board of Trustees from 1969 to 1976. He was born in 1925 and died September 30, 1989.
Throughout his lifetime, Bishop Walker reached out to rich and poor, black and white, young and old, Christian and Jew, believer and non-believer, reminding each one that he or she was God's creation and an important part of the fabric of the City of Washington. He was a pastor, an educator, a builder and a unifier.
In recognition of Bishop's legacy, the Awards that bear his name -- the Bishop John T. Walker Fund Prizes and Internships -- are granted annually to BSF students and alumni who demonstrate "exemplary leadership and moral commitment to an integrated society."
Bishop Walker Fund Prizes are granted to graduating BSF seniors who make the most significant contribution by example, commitment, and services, to building an integrated society in our community.
Bishop Walker Fund Internships are awarded to BSF alumni who are college freshmen seeking to enhance their professional growth. The award supplements the income interns may receive so that students can meet their college financial obligations while gaining work experience during the summer.
With the assistance of Bishop Walker Internships, BSF alumni have interned with:
| Aetna Insurance | The Philadelphia Enquirer |
| Citizens Bank of Maryland | Professional Golf Association |
| Georgetown University Medical Center | Science Weekly, Inc. |
| Mazda North America | Washington Legal Clinic |
| Bethesda Naval Medical Center |
BSF grant recipients who have received the Bishop Walker Prize have attended or are currently attending the following colleges:
| American University | Morehouse College |
| Bates College | Morgan State University |
| Brown University | Spelman College |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Syracuse University |
| Columbia University | University of Pennsylvania |
| Dartmouth University | University of Virginia |
| Drexel University | United Air Force Academy |
| Loyola College |
