Daniel Walker
In true Pirate style, Daniel Walker was born in the Outer Banks Hospital and raised in nearby Harbinger, North Carolina.
Walker grew up riding waves on his Spider-Man bodyboard and working summers in his family’s window cleaning and pressure washing company, spending countless hours soaking up the sun and salt air.
In the spirit of service, Walker found a passion for bringing confidence to kids through a virtual literacy program that he created at his high school. Noticing that many young, male students were not exposed to leaders in education who looked like him, he was inspired to serve as a student representative on the Currituck County Board of Education.
He will serve through the summer on the nomination committee for the North Carolina Future Farmers of America (NC FFA) 2022-23 state officer team and will receive his state FFA degree award at the convention.
His high school counselor recommended that Walker, who ranks sixth in his class of 224 students, investigate ECU’s Honors College.
EC Scholars is the most prestigious undergraduate award program offered at ECU. The four-year merit scholarship recognizes outstanding academic performance, commitment to community engagement and strong leadership skills. Recipients receive an Honors College scholarship and a stipend for study abroad for a total value of nearly $64,000.
After receiving news that he had been selected as an EC Scholar, “kind messages from the ECU community showed me that I had found my people, my home,” Walker said.
Walker plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science in biology with a minor in business administration at ECU. Crediting his positive experience with an orthodontist who went above the standard of care and the firsthand confidence that comes with a straight smile, Walker hopes to attend the ECU School of Dental Medicine with aspirations of becoming an orthodontist.
Walker’s campus involvement pursuits will include a study abroad experience, focusing on health care, and joining the Marching Pirates. “I’ve played trombone for seven years and have been fortunate to earn a position in the Eastern District All-District Band for the last five years,” he said.
Walker is the 17-year-old son of ECU alumna Cynthia (MLS ’08) and Patrick Walker of Harbinger.
“ECU’s mission of regional transformation is synonymous with my own: to give back to eastern North Carolina, a community that has given so much to me. Being surrounded by an enthusiastic and talented community of scholars will surely inspire me to reach for my highest potential.”
High school: Currituck County High School
Intended major: Biology
Hometown: Harbinger