Reverend Liz Walker, award-winning television journalist, documentary film producer, entrepreneur, and humanitarian, will deliver the graduation speech for Northeastern University’s College of Professional Studies (CPS) Spring Class of 2011 on April 30, 2011 at the Westin Copley Place, Boston. Reverend Walker will address undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral graduating students including the first cohort from the International Bachelor’s Completion Program in Singapore.
Reverend Walker’s career in broadcast journalism spans three decades and has garnered her two Emmys, an Edward R. Murrow Award, and special recognition from the prestigious Gabriel Awards. “I believe my purpose in life is to tell stories that celebrate the world’s interconnectedness and inspires people to build on that reality.” stated Reverend Walker. She is the founder and principal of The Walker Group LLC, Communications Specialists, as well as the co-founder of My Sister’s Keeper. Reverend Walker currently hosts Better Living with Liz Walker on WCVB-TV 5.
“I have been inspired by her award winning journalism on many occasions,” said Interim Dean, John LaBrie. “However, it is her dedication to My Sister’s Keeper that highlights her as the consummate speaker for our graduation ceremony. Reverend Walker’s passion for the young woman in the Sudan has demonstrated that she understands the power that access to education can have on a person’s life. Her passion speaks to the core mission of the College of Professional Studies – providing access to education.”
Reverend Walker’s non-profit, My Sister’s Keeper, advocates for women and children in the Sudan who are attempting to rebuild their country and their lives, and has most recently completed construction of a school for over 1,000 girls in southern Sudan. Her work in international education and women’s issues echoes the geographic and gender diversity of CPS graduates.
In 2005, Reverend Walker graduated from the Harvard Divinity School and became an ordained minister in the African Episcopal Church. She currently sits on the Regional Advisory Board of the United Nations International Children’s Educational Fund and the Board of Trustees for Andover Newton Theological School. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the Tufts Health Foundation and the Board of Overseers for Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. “When people ask me why I do so much community work I can only answer this is what I have been called to do,” said Reverend Liz Walker. “Throughout my life I have been blessed with so much – a wonderful family, an enduring career, amazing experiences, and I believe I owe the world something back. I think we all do!”