First Charles Walker Real Estate Scholarships Awarded

The University of Mississippi School of Business Administration’s first Charles H. Walker Real Estate Scholarships, which honor the dynamic, long-serving professor and local attorney, have been awarded to two rising seniors.
Walker taught business law and real estate law courses at the business school and the Patterson School of Accountancy for 38 years while locally practicing law. He mentored hundreds of real estate, business and law professionals.
His family members and former students established a scholarship honoring him in 2014. Pittman Phillips, a managerial finance and real estate major from Oxford, and Forrest Timmons, a real estate finance major from Tupelo, are this year’s recipients.
It’s a high honor to have former students create an endowment for Walker, said Ken Cyree, dean of the School of Business Administration.
“I believe this best exemplifies the impact that Charles had on students over the years, and we are happy to have this legacy to honor him,” Cyree said. “It is a wonderful way to remember a professor and mentor, and we are thrilled to have this scholarship that bears his name to help continue his impact for future generations.
“We are grateful for his dedication and commitment, and we are happy to see him being honored in this way.”
Phillips said winning the scholarship is a huge honor, and he wants to follow Walker’s example. 
“Mr. Walker has been a role model for many during his teaching and working career, and one day I hope to live up to his legacy,” Phillips said. “It is my goal to expand on this scholarship by getting more students interested in real estate and the numerous aspects that surround the major.”
Timmons said he hopes the scholarship will allow him to make connections in the real estate world.
“Meeting Charles was a great honor and a privilege of mine,” Timmons said. “This scholarship is not just money going into my pocket. I see it as a representation to carry on that spirit and love for real estate that Charles Walker has.
“I am honored and humbled to receive this scholarship and plan to use it to further my education and make an impact in the real estate market here in Oxford.”
George and Annie Haymans of Oxford, Ole Miss alumni who have been influenced by Walker both personally and professionally, wanted to give back to Ole Miss. The couple chose to establish the endowment in honor of the man who shaped their lives profoundly.
George Haymans (JD 06), who met Walker in 2003 while purchasing his first house, is a real estate attorney in Oxford. Annie Haymans (BA 06, BAE 11) was one of Walker’s students and rented a place from him and his wife, Mary, while attending Ole Miss.
George Haymans said they wanted to find a way to honor such a wonderful person, lawyer and mentor.
“When Charles retired and asked me to start teaching his real estate and business law classes, it was a huge compliment and I had very big shoes to fill,” Haymans said. “We hope to honor him for a long time with the scholarship.
“This will allow for students to find a way to become involved in the many different aspects of a career in real estate.”
Will Lewis, one of Walker’s friends and clients and co-owner of Neilson’s Department Store on the Square, contributed to the scholarship fund.
“Charles has a genuine interest in everyone he meets, be they students, clients or casual acquaintances,” Lewis said. “That is a wonderful legacy.”
To make a gift to the Charles H. Walker Real Estate Scholarship Endowment, contact Tim Noss, development officer for the School of Business Administration, at tlnoss@olemiss.edu or 662-915-5932. Checks also can be mailed with the fund noted in the memo line to the University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Ave., Oxford, MS 38655 or online at https://www.umfoundation.com/makeagift.

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Courtesy of Michael Newsom and the Ole Miss News Desk