A member of the Indiana University Board of Trustees has died.
Melanie Walker died unexpectedly this weekend. She was 62 years old.
Walker had been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2016, and recently chaired the search the committee that resulted in hiring of Pamela Whitten as president of IU.
Today the IU community is mourning the passing of trustee Melanie S. Walker. "We extend our greatest sympathies to her family and many friends during this difficult time," IU President Pam Whitten said. https://t.co/fZRExeKc27 [Image: IU Trustee Melanie Walker smiling] pic.twitter.com/4BGnkMG4yf — Indiana University (@IndianaUniv) August 1, 2021
Since 2005 Walker has been the president and CEO of TASUS Corporation/Tsuchiya Group North America.
According to Indiana University, Walker broke the glass ceiling in 1994, at the age of 34, to become the first female president of a Japanese-owned manufacturing company in North America.
Walker served on a number of boards including: the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, the State of Indiana Workforce Innovation Council and was a State of Indiana Delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business.
In a statement released Sunday night, Gov. Eric Holcomb said:
“So many are fighting back the tears today with the sad news of Melanie Walker’s sudden passing. Melanie will forever be so many things to many people around the world. Her combination of a zest for life, love for family, friends and Indiana University, and her globally inclusive work ethic are characteristics I hope every young Hoosier can grow up to embody. I will miss learning from her, especially how to attach action to empathy and always with a servant's heart. Janet and I are praying comfort and strength will surround the Walker family as this bright light of life finds a forever home in heaven."
Walker is survived by her daughter, Stormy Walker; grandchild, Cash; sisters, Lisa and Dixie Walker; brother, Nathan Walker; and mother, Ruth Walker. She was preceded in death by her son, Landon Hart, and father, Dick Walker.
This story will be updated.
