Margaret Walker served as president of campus chapter of national honorary society
A University of Mississippi junior has been selected to serve as a national student representative for Lambda Sigma, a national honor society for sophomores.
Margaret “Maggie” Walker, a dual public policy leadership and integrated marketing communications major from Suwanee, Ga., was chosen to be the primary liaison between the national board and all Lambda Sigma presidents.
She will be in charge of facilitating communication among and between the chapter presidents, as well as assisting with the coordination of the Presidents Conferences. As a voting member of the national board, Walker will participate in the discussion and decision-making processes.
“I am immensely honored to have been chosen to serve Lambda Sigma as a national student representative,” said Walker, who will serve for two years, attend two summer board meetings and two fall President Conferences.
“I look forward to embracing the opportunities to connect with students and adults alike that share an enthusiasm for fellowship, scholarship, and service. I know that these connections will be ones of depth and longevity.”
A Stamps Scholar, Walker is a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College and the Trent Lott Leadership Institute. As president of the university’s Iota Chapter of Lambda Sigma, Walker’s primary responsibility was to facilitate effective communication with the rest of the executive board and the chapter as a whole, and to ensure the mission of Lambda Sigma was advanced.
She booked speakers, planned and led bimonthly meetings, and communicated with chapter adviser Jacob Ferguson and Lambda Sigma nationals.
Beyond these responsibilities, Walker also worked closely with chapter co-service chairs and the secretary to organize numerous service and fellowship opportunities. These included writing Valentine’s Day letters for local teachers, decorating pumpkins for Breast Cancer Awareness Month for the Baptist Cancer Center, donating to the Jackson water crisis, and planting trees with Hill Country Roots.
Under Walker’s leadership, nearly all the members were involved in RebelTHON, the Big Event and other Ole Miss service and leadership organizations.
“As I approached the end of my tenure as president of the Iota Chapter, I found myself never wanting the experience to end,” Walker said. “Seeing the passion and impact of our Iota Chapter was beyond inspiring. Serving as a student representative means I can aid in fostering this shared passion for change throughout the country.”
Walker said the organization has influenced her immensely on a local level, and that she can only imagine how these service, leadership, and fellowship experiences will affect her on a national level over the next two years.
“Serving this chapter has opened my eyes to the power student leaders have when they come together for a shared vision of service,” Walker said. “Not only have I been able to facilitate service initiatives and assist our members in catalyzing community change, but I have been able to connect with our member’s passions, stories and aspirations.
“Working with the executive board has been an honor in itself, as I have had the opportunity to grow closer to some incredible student leaders.”
Walker has been a model president and will represent the university well as a student representative, Ferguson said.
“Maggie made my job as adviser easy because I could always count on her to take initiative, make plans and execute meetings, service opportunities, and her presidential duties,” said Ferguson, an admissions counselor with the School of Education. “This was even more impressive considering that Maggie and the executive board had to juggle COVID-19 restrictions, hybrid meetings, and limited in-person service opportunities.
“I am so proud of the work that Maggie has done and overseen in the past year, and I know that she will excel as a national student representative.”
Walker said that the key to the chapter’s success has been working through unprecedented times together, and continuous open, honest, and collaborative communication. This year, the members established Lambda Sigma family groups and threw a Fellowship Field Day.
Through these events, the chapter grew closer by fostering genuine relationships absent of school and personal stressors.
“They made my job significantly easier and stood by me throughout the entire year,” Walker said. “I am forever thankful for their hard work.”
For more information about Lambda Sigma, click here.
By Edwin B. Smith