Distinguished Utahn
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Lauding Olene Walker as one who exemplifies the qualities of industry, perseverance, thrift, stability and self-reliance, the Salt Lake and Utah Valley chapters of the BYU Management Society presented the 2005 Distinguished Utahn Award to the former governor of Utah.
Presenting the award at a dinner on the 26th floor of the Church Office Building on April 27, Troie Price, president of the society's Salt Lake chapter, said that this year's recipient "has both protected and exemplified the spirit of Utah."
She said that the former governor, an active member of the Church, has been described as hardworking, intelligent, aggressive, thoughtfully independent and dedicated, as well as energetic, humorous and consistently good-natured. "All of these attributes are accurate, but there is more to Olene Walker," Sister Price said.
Part of the presentation was a quilted wall hanging containing sections that represent some of the former governor's major accomplishments and contributions.
She served nearly 14 months as governor, becoming Utah's first woman governor when she stepped into the office in late 2003 after Gov. Mike Leavitt was invited to join President George W. Bush's administration as director of the Environmental Protection Agency; he has since been appointed to the president's cabinet as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
She served nearly three terms as lieutenant governor to Gov. Leavitt and several years in the Utah Legislature in the 1980s. She retired from political office on Jan. 3, 2005, after Jon M. Huntsman Jr. was elected as governor. On Jan. 9, 2005, the Deseret Morning News reported that Gov. Walker left state government as one of the most popular governors in Utah history. The report stated that a survey by Dan Jones & Associates showed that an impressive 87 percent of Utahns strongly or somewhat approved of the job she had done. Only 6 percent disapproved of her job performance.
Representing the Walker family at the BYU Management Society event, husband J. Myron Walker spoke of some of his wife's many accomplishments, and then highlighted her commitment and dedication to her family. He noted that she never missed any of their children's school, Church or other important activities.
"Olene has a strong belief and faith in the eternal family," Brother Walker said. "Her constant evening prayer is for her family to have wisdom and the courage to always do what is right. Olene's faith, openness, friendliness, wholesomeness, energy and keen intelligence have always made her a desired and much sought-after companion for her husband, children and grandchildren."
Accepting the award, the former governor commended those who had worked with her in state government, making possible her goals. She said that when she took office she felt she would have only 14 months to serve, the remaining months of Gov. Leavitt's term. She set 16 initiatives; and saw all but one accomplished by the end of her term. She credited the accomplishment to her staff who worked "to the very last."
After speaking of some of the highlights of her political life as well as some ventures since retiring, she said that happiness in the business world is often measured in terms of fame, power or money. "But I have found time and time again that in the long run those may bring momentary happiness, but they do not bring long-term happiness. I've discovered the three things that do bring long-term happiness.
"First: a life of integrity. There is no business worth sacrificing your integrity to achieve," she said.
"Second: loving relationships . . . whether friends, family or others . . . are extremely important.
"Finally: I've never met a truly unhappy person that gives a lot of service to others. It just seems that giving service every day to someone else always brings a smile on the face. I urge all of you that are involved in the hectic pace of government, business, active lives, to look around every day to serve others."
She spoke of opportunities for service from the local to state to national levels. She noted that there are different seasons in life, and pointed out that she was a stay-at-home mother for many years. "What the future of our state or our country is depends on either you running for office or encouraging people who have your values to step out and run for office."
Doug Wright of KSL Radio served as master of ceremonies at the award's event Also participating were Marc Arnoldsen, president of BYU Management Society's Utah Valley Chapter; W. Steven Albrecht, associate dean of the Marriott School of Management; Richard E. Kendell, commissioner of higher education and CEO of the board of regents; and Gayle F. McKeachnie, former lieutenant governor. A musical program was presented by George Dyer, tenor, and Larry Gee, accompanist.
Among the guests were President James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, and his wife, Ruth; Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve and his wife, Elisa; and Sister Susan W. Tanner, general Young Women president, and her husband, John. Also present were Calvin L. Rampton, who, elected in 1964, was Utah's only three-term governor, and Norman Bangerter, who was governor from 1985-1993, and his wife, Colleen.
Past recipients of the Distinguished Utahn Award, established in 1994, include President Gordon B. Hinckley and President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency.
