George Walker. Photo by Eric Rudd, Indiana University.
Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations (IPBS) announced today that George Walker is being inducted into the IPBS Hall of Fame. Walker served for 45 years as a classical music host and producer for WFIU Public Radio and retired in 2022.
Established in 2023, the IPBS Hall of Fame honors outstanding champions of public media with ties to Indiana and the industry who inspire confidence in and from others, work to increase value in people and situations, focus on good, and invest time in purposeful activities. Inductees are selected annually.
Walker will be inducted into the IPBS Hall of Fame along with Alan Cloe, former executive vice president of WFYI Public Media in Indianapolis; Bob Ross, American painter and art instructor best known for creating and hosting television’s The Joy of Painting, produced by Ball State Public Media in Muncie; and Harvey Stauffer, host of The Blues Revue on 88.1 WVPE-FM in Mishawaka.
“George was a model of consistency across what might have been a record tenure,” said WFIU/WTIU station operations director John Bailey. “We can’t find any evidence that another daily music host in the history of U.S. broadcasting served one station for longer in that role.”
Walker originally came to Bloomington in 1967 for a master’s in teaching English. During his first year on campus, he began working for WFIU as a part-time classical music announcer. The part-time position led to a long and successful career in radio, with Walker becoming a full-time staff member in 1977.
Throughout his time at WFIU, Walker witnessed how both the station and his job evolved from their classical music beginnings. He was present for the creation and growth of the NPR network, which wasn’t in existence when he first began working at WFIU as a student.
During his 45-year career, his position expanded to covering the arts in south central Indiana. He reviewed hundreds of stage productions and concerts and interviewed performing artists, including Yo-Yo Ma, Buckminster Fuller, Twyla Tharp, Yefim Bronfman, the Canadian Brass, Maya Angelou, and Bill T. Jones.
“I never saw George anything but calm, unflappable, and committed to the primary task at hand, which was to help great performers tell their stories,” said Bailey.
Walker is the second WFIU staff member to be inducted into the IPBS Hall of Fame. Last year, former WFIU/WTIU general manager Perry Metz was inducted into the inaugural IPBS Hall of Fame.
“George’s commitment to his craft and to WFIU was truly one-of-a-kind,” said Brad Kimmel WFIU/WTIU executive director. “Being inducted into the IPBS Hall of Fame is a wonderful tribute to his astonishing career.”
The IPBS Hall of Fame Awards will be presented on Tuesday, July 23, in Carmel at the Renaissance Hotel during the IPBS Annual Conference.