Christopher Walker '11 offers a student's perspective on generosity

In honor of his superior academic performance, Christopher A. Walker '11 was named the recipient of the Sidney D. Kline Sr. Scholarship Program, which was established by the shareholders of the law firm of Stevens and Lee in honor and memory of the late Sidney D. Kline Sr., class of 1926 and former trustee of The Dickinson School of Law. 

"The momentous and generous scholarship that the members of Stevens and Lee were so kind to bestow on me in honor of the late Sidney D. Kline Sr. is probably the single most memorable moment of my academic career," said Walker. "Knowing that someone other than immediate friends and family believe in my abilities and seeks to reward my achievements is something few people have the opportunity to experience. If I am able to emulate half of the qualities and generosity that my benefactors have shown me, I know that I'll be able to make a positive difference, and that feeling is something no one can ever take away."

Not only has this scholarship been a financial benefit to Walker, but it has also assisted him during interviews for post-graduation employment. "Every single employer has asked me about the scholarship," said Walker. "I was proud to be able to say that I was selected for this scholarship and explained to them the wonderful support our alumni seek to extend to future PSU-DSL graduates."

Walker realizes that student scholarship support can be a tough pill to swallow for alumni, especially during these trying economic times. "Give money to a law student you've never met? Almost as bad as taking another bar exam," said Walker. "But the financial support and psychological boost that it gives a law student can't be measured in words. I will be forever indebted to Mr. Kline's family and colleagues, but not because they were kind enough to support a scholarship, as momentous as that is. Instead, my debt is a task.

"I know that in order to really fulfill the wishes of alumni who have been so generous, I too have to give back, whether that be financially, through participation in Law School events, or through helping out in my community. Only by doing those things can I ever truly thank benefactors and honor Mr. Kline's memory. I want my actions to speak on my behalf where words fail to express my thanks."

Walker recently accepted a position with Damon Morey LLP, the third largest law firm in Buffalo, New York. The firm traditionally hires first-year associates through its summer associate program. In a highly competitive legal job market, it comes as no surprise that dozens of third-year law students applied for an entry-level associate position with a firm growing in both size and business every year. Among those applicants, Walker stood out from the pack.

Michael E. Appelbaum, hiring partner at Damon Morey, handles the firm's recruiting efforts and said that he is on the lookout for "bright, hardworking attorneys who are also good people and community-minded." He, along with other partners and associates in the firm, found Walker to be impressive from day one. "Chris' appeal went beyond great academic performance, which was clear. He had that something special, even at this young stage in his career." He will join the firm's Real Estate and Labor and Employment Law departments in September 2011.

Walker participates in the SBA as the honor code representative, chair of the Intramural Sports Committee, and serves as a senior editor for the Penn State Law Review. He received his bachelor’s degree in 2008 from Washington & Jefferson College.