Professor Julie Walker Receives McKnight Heart of Community Honor

Published Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Julie Walker

SMSU Professor Julie Walker was recently recognized for her work to make SMSU and southwest Minnesota a more caring and connected place. The McKnight Foundation, in partnership with the Minnesota Council of Foundations, announced seven recipients of the 2025 Virginia McKnight Binger Heart of Community Honor, including Julie Walker as the representative of the Southwest Region of Minnesota.

The honor celebrates people who are the pulse of Minnesota’s caring and connected communities. It is named for Virginia McKnight Binger, the Foundation’s first board chair and the daughter of McKnight’s founders William and Maude McKnight. This year’s honorees are: Siham Amedy, West Central region; Andre Crockett, Southeast region; Joshua Jones, Northwest region; Paul Nelson, Northeast region; Sai Thao, Metro region; Wanetta Thompson, Central region; and finally, Julie Walker, Southwest region.

Julie Walker is Associate Professor of Communication Studies program, Assistant Director of Forensics (Speech and Debate Team), Director of the LGBTQ+ Center and Women’s Center, founder of the Online Asynchronous (Speech) Tournament Series for which she was named the winner of the Larry Schnoor District IV Distinguished Service Award for contributions to the American Forensics Association in 2023.

Julie launched a non-profit organization called Outspoken Culture which was created to empower changemakers, serve the community, and develop a speaker’s bureau to promote social justice. She is also a co-founder of the Marshall Area Pride Festival which launched in 2021 and continues to grow strong. She is also the co-founder of another nonprofit, Southwest Minnesota Pride, created to share resources with other prides in this part of the state.

Before earning her MFA in Communication Studies/Forensics from MSU, Mankato, she spent time at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where she received her undergraduate degree in Business Management and competed for the forensics team. Currently, Julie oversees several College Now (concurrent enrollment) sites. She also teaches Essentials of Speaking and Listening, Storytelling in Modern Communication, and a variety of Public Relations courses at SMSU.

“Most of what I teach are the Public Relations courses, but students remember me most for my Storytelling in Modern Communication course,” she said. “That course focuses on how to tell stories and how stories make up who we are and our larger culture. My hope is that they can understand the knowledge they need, demonstrate the skills to be successful, and practice being lifelong learners to remain adaptable in our ever-changing world.”

Julie Walker has poured herself into making her community a welcoming place for LGBTQ+ individuals. She cofounded Marshall Pride, which has grown to a multi-day event with live music, food trucks, a petting zoo, drag show, and more. She has also worked tirelessly with the nonprofit she co-founded (Southwest Minnesota Pride) to help several other Pride organizations in the area thrive.

She serves as the director of the LGBTQ+ Center. Beyond campus, she is a member of the City of Marshall’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. At SMSU her commitment to the LGBTQ+ community is making a big impact on students who may not have been supported before arriving on campus.

“Julie Walker is one of the most deserving individuals of this award that I can think of. As a queer student on this campus, she made sure that I had a safe space and person to go to,” said Arlo Riemer, a psychology major from Winsted, Minn.

“Having someone who not only welcomed me but actively advocates for my wellbeing has made a world of difference. Julie is a compassionate and caring person with no end to how far she'll go to make her students feel safe and loved,” Arlo said.

Her friends and colleagues say Southwest Minnesota is a far more inclusive space because of her kind heart and singular effort. Watch Julie’s Heart of the Community Video: https://vimeo.com/1137759517

“To receive this type of honor is really validating that people see the work that goes into things,” Julie said. “I also feel like there are so many people whose shoulders I stand on to do the things I do. I think about the community organizers who have been doing the work in this region for decades. I know my work matters, but I couldn’t do it without the huge network of people who care deeply about making this area a safer place for more people.”

To learn more about the award, visit: mcknight.org

ABOUT THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY HONOR

“These seven Minnesotans embody the power of showing up with purpose and care. Across our state—from Moorhead to Red Lake Nation, from Rochester to Cook County—they are breaking down barriers, creating spaces where people belong, and building communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive,” says Tonya Allen, president of the McKnight Foundation. “Their dedication, compassion, and conviction inspire us all, and we are honored to celebrate their significant contributions that make Minnesota a more caring, connected place.”

The Heart of Community Honor has recognized 333 Minnesotans since 1995. Each recipient receives a $10,000 cash award and is recognized at a reception at the McKnight Foundation. For four decades, the McKnight Foundation has honored individuals who have had a significant impact on the state of Minnesota and its communities but who have not been widely recognized for their work in the past.