On Friday, President Tim Foster and other notable community members revived an important part of Colorado Mesa University’s history when they unveiled two bronze bas-reliefs at Walker Field Stadium.
The plaques, which feature stadium namesakes Walter Walker and his son Preston, will be placed on the side of the stadium. The plaques were created by CMU faculty and students.
Walter Walker was the publisher and editor of the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel for nearly 40 years after taking over in 1917. He was appointed by the governor to serve as a United States Senator and served on the committee that wrote Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal platform. Grand Junction’s Walker Field Airport was named after him in 1942 because he had encouraged flight in the area since 1912.
Grand Junction City Council member Teresa Coons said Friday that the airport has been an important advantage to the area’s economy since its establishment. The name was changed to the Grand Junction Regional Airport in 2009.
Walter’s son, Preston, was a boatman who became publisher of the Daily Sentinel after his father’s death. Preston Walker brought forward many changes in the community until his own death in 1970.
Walker Field was named in 2008, after Ken Johnson’s family donated $1 million to the university. Johnson and Coons both spoke Friday when the reliefs were unveiled.
“They both have highly promotable names,” Johnson said.
After founding the Grand Junction Free Press and working for both Walter and Preston, Johnson wanted to perpetuate their names because he was impressed by the way both men lived.
Jay Seaton, current publisher of the Daily Sentinel, was also impressed by Walter and Preston’s direction and notability. He said the Walkers’ pictures are displayed inside the Daily Sentinel’s offices, and that he often uses them to find guidance during troubled times.
“They serve as a north star for me as a publisher,” Seaton said. “I think, ‘What would Walter Walker do?’ Even though I know I won’t like the answer because I know it will involve self-sacrifices for the good of the paper, I know it’s the right answer.”
Also present at Friday’s unveiling were Mesa County Commissioner Craig Meis and Grand Junction Rotary Club member Dr. Robert Rigg.
Rigg lived across the street from Walter Walker as a boy, and was able to provide brief, personal biographies of both men. Though Rigg said he was intimidated by Walter Walker due to his fame, his family members praised him highly.
“My grandmother said he was the best thing to happen since indoor plumbing,” Rigg said.
The plaques feature portraits of Walter and Preston surrounded by images signifying their contributions to the community.
“Clearly their spirit and their legend continues,” Coons said.

ssummar@mavs.coloradomesa.edu