Tom Walker

Tom Walker is an Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering Education. Tom began his career in engineering education in 1984 by direct order, not by choice. Ordered to report as an instructor of mechanical engineering at the Naval Academy, he rapidly realized he had found his niche and soon developed a reputation for integrating technology into the engineering learning space. He co-chaired the academy committee that initiated a personal computer requirement for all midshipmen - co-incidentally in the same time-frame the VT College of Engineering initiated their PC requirement. Upon leaving the navy in 1988, he accepted his current position in the Engineering Education (then the Engineering Fundamentals) department where for 21 years he has championed the use of appropriate educational technologies and pedagogies to empower student learning and respond to a changing world. Most recently he has been recognized for his innovative use and support for Tablet-convertible PCs and associated applications such as DyKnow. Tom considers it a high privilege to work with the faculty, staff, and students at Virginia Tech where he can associate with supportive and innovative personnel and experiment with the latest educational technologies.