Stay Connected

Sandia Prep alum Gus Walker ’21 has been named Business Program Student of the Year in Marketing and Public Relations by Marian University in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin -- a standout honor recognizing both academic excellence and campus impact.

The award was presented as part of Marian’s annual Student Recognition Awards, organized by the Office of Student Life to highlight exceptional students and organizations nominated by faculty, staff, and peers. Alongside this university-wide celebration, Marian’s Business Program and Nursing Program hold their own specialized events to honor top-performing students in their fields.

Walker, a double major in Communications and Marketing/Public Relations, made his mark well beyond the classroom. As a member of Marian’s baseball team, he was a force to be reckoned with -- breaking the school’s Hit by Pitch record with 42, earning a spot on the D3baseball.com Team of the Week in 2024, and receiving Marian’s Student Athlete Male Leadership Award.

In 2023, he led the team in batting average, doubles, and stolen bases, and was named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team --a prestigious honor reserved for student-athletes who excel both on the field and in the classroom. To qualify, nominees must be key players with a minimum 3.5 GPA -- a benchmark Walker met with ease.

Reflecting on his success, Walker credits Sandia Prep for instilling the habits that helped him thrive.

“Prep showed me how to balance academics and athletics with a routine and time management,” he says. “Staying committed to a routine in college is important, and Prep showed me that importance throughout my seven years.”

Looking ahead, Walker will serve as a graduate assistant for the Marian baseball program while pursuing a master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology -- a new chapter for a student-athlete who continues to lead by example.