Jerry Walker '03 Now Honorary Member of Phi Kappa Theta
Seton Hall > News & Events Thursday, May 14, 2009
by: Nick Scalera Former Seton Hall basketball star, Jerry Walker '03 was initiated as an honorary member of Phi Kappa Theta National Fraternity on Saturday, April 4.
A solemn ritual ceremony was held in St. Joseph's Chapel in Boland Hall on the Seton Hall campus and nearly 50 Phi Kappa Theta undergraduate and alumni members and friends attended an initiation banquet at Cryan's Beef & Ale House.
The New Jersey Phi Beta Chapter of Phi Kappa Theta was chartered on April 28, 1962 and currently has 18 members. It was the first national fraternity to be approved by Seton Hall.
Jerry also becomes a member of The Setonian Foundation, the alumni chapter of Phi Kappa Theta at Seton Hall and an official Seton Hall alumni club. Formed on July 7, 1962, the Foundation is an incorporated non-profit, tax-exempt organization and now has nearly 1,000 members.
Nicholas R. Scalera '63, a charter member of the chapter and foundation board member, welcomed attendees and introduced Walker. Scalera cited the important role Jerry Walker has played in advancing Seton Hall's basketball program and for his important work with at-risk youths in his hometown of Jersey City.
Walker led the Pirates to two Big East titles and three NCAA Tournaments in the 1990s. For his efforts, he was honored as Metropolitan Player of the Year and ESPN Post-Player of the Year and named to the Second Team All Big East Team. Jerry played professional basketball in Europe before returning to the university to earn his bachelor's degree.
In 1996, Jerry and his brother, Jasper, started Team Walker to offer inner-city kids the same opportunities they had while growing up in Jersey City. Jerry attributes his success in basketball and his Seton Hall degree to the positive impact of the after-school programs he took part in as a youth. Team Walker now provides year-round academic and recreational after-school programs for more than 500 at-risk Jersey City youths.
Bryan White, New Jersey Phi Beta Chapter President, announced that the chapter had voted to designate Team Walker, Inc. as its official charity. As a result, the chapter will give a donation to Team Walker each year and the brothers and pledges will volunteer to help the agency.
Brandon Brewster, president of The Setonian Foundation's Board of Directors, explained the history and mission of the Phi Kappa Theta alumni chapter and presented Jerry with a $500 check as a donation from The Setonian Foundation to Team Walker, Inc., adding the foundation would continue to support Jerry's work with inner-city youth in the years ahead.
The Rev. Paul A. Holmes, an honorary member and chaplain of the undergraduate and alumni chapters of Phi Kappa Theta, gave the Invocation. Father Holmes is Vice President and Assistant to the President at Seton Hall and a member of the Board of Directors of The Setonian Foundation.
In his remarks, Walker expressed his appreciation for being initiated into Phi Kappa Theta and promised to be a loyal and faithful member.
In a light moment, Scalera presented Jerry with a live goldfish and as the old fraternity prank goes, asked him if he was good at swallowing fish. “No, I could never... and won't do it now,” Walker joked. “I'd have to fry it first.”
Luckily, Jerry's wife Sharonda rescued the fish, noting their children would be thrilled to care for it. The Walkers have two daughters, Shannon, 12, and Rochelle, 14.
The presentations concluded with a Benediction delivered by Father Holmes. The brothers then raised their mugs in a stirring rendition of the Phi Kappa Theta Stein Song and the undergraduates gave the PKT Chant. For more information please contact:
Joette Rosato
800-992-4723
alumni@shu.edu
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