Neil Walter ('73)

Production Agriculture Professional from McGregor, Texas

“I hold ACU in high esteem because of their Christian commitment.  I want to recognize that the formation of Christian character while I was here was extremely important to me.”

Neil Walter found his passion for production agriculture at an early age growing up on his family's farm.

Neil is a professional at what he does.  His natural path and gifts in this field fit nicely in the structure of ACU's Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

“Receiving a degree in agronomy was a natural path for me,” he said.  “I was more equipped than the other students I encountered in my graduate studies because of the A&E department.”

Neil earned a master's degree in agronomy from Iowa State University.  He was named Outstanding Alumnus by the A&E department in 1993.

His love for farming has remained strong over the years and he continues to work hard at his operation in McGregor, Texas.

“My favorite thing about farming is the sense of independence I get from working for myself,” he said.  “The hardest parts about it are the long hours and dealing with the unpredictability of the weather, but I enjoy seeing the aesthetic accomplishment of my labors.”

Neil considers himself to have been a “book worm” while at ACU, but even though his head was in the books, he found time to be involved in ACU's Big Purple Marching Band for four years as a tuba player.

Neil is president of the Coryell County Farm Bureau.  He also currently serves on the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation board of directors, representing the Southern Blacklands region.  He served as chair of the A&E Visiting Committee in the 1990's and completes a second stint on the committee in spring 2010.  He is also an elder at the Sixth and Adams Church of Christ in McGregor.

Neil is happily married to his wife, Janelle.  They have four children, two of who are ACU students.