Ballroom Named After Former Steel Magnolia President and HPU Alumna Anne Kerr Walker
HIGH POINT, N.C., June 26, 2023 – H. Lindsay Holcomb Jr. recently made a $500,000 gift to support High Point University’s endowment and name a prominent space in Congdon Hall in honor of his wife, Anne Kerr Walker, ’60.
Prior to becoming president of the Steel Magnolias, Walker was not very familiar with the group of women who graduated primarily between 1955 and 1965, nor was she a member. However, she did enjoy attending the Steel Magnolias luncheons where she reconnected with old classmates and friends. The joy of exchanging life updates and laughter reminded her of her days at High Point College. When she was approached by a few members affectionately called “Maggies” asking her to be their president, she accepted the challenge. Walker retired in December 2022 after serving as president of the Steel Magnolias for 13 years.
“To have an alumna as dedicated and driven as Anne Walker has been a blessing,” said HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein. “She has helped improve the landscape of this campus, assisted in providing support to HPU students and she has established a strong connection between the university and our alumnae.”
In Walker’s time as president, she increased the Maggies’ membership from 30 to 100. She did so by pushing more engaging events at the university, such as her first event, a luncheon and fashion show. She supported the Mariana Qubein Arboretum and Botanical Gardens by coordinating a campaign among the Maggies to increase their funding for the project. This resulted in planting almost 200 different species of Magnolia trees throughout campus. Along with that, Walker also assisted in increasing the Steel Magnolias Endowed Scholarship fund from $3,000 to more than $200,000, allowing the group to award three scholarships of approximately $3,000 each annually. Aside from enhancing the campus, the Maggies have hosted numerous celebrities and authors for speaking engagements to provide informative and interesting programs.
In her last meeting as president, Walker had the opportunity to have a “Side by Side” interview with Qubein. For her last meeting as leader, Walker asked questions related to today’s issues in higher education and discussed HPU’s place as the Premier Life Skills University and its well-known call to action, “Choosing to be Extraordinary.” For Walker, this was one of the most memorable moments she experienced as president.
“She stood at that podium as she has done for 13 years, and I was so proud of the incredible job she did,” said Holcomb.
He knew then, he wanted her influence and memory to live on in that ballroom forever. This spurred Holcomb to make a significant gift to HPU’s endowment, and in recognition, the university dedicated the Anne Kerr Walker Ballroom in Congdon Hall.
“Now that I am no longer ‘the leader’ of the wonderful group I lovingly call my Maggies, I can honestly say I have given the Steel Magnolias my best effort,” said Walker. “It has been done with love, respect and admiration. I hope they will remain an independent group, that they will maintain their commitment to excellence, honesty and integrity, and that they will continue to succeed, be productive and make a difference in our world.”
The memories and friendships that Walker nurtured over the years have been special to her, and she hopes the Steel Magnolias never lose sight of friendship as the core of the organization.