On April 9, 2025, CSU held its 2025 Faculty Excellence Award Celebration. Jearl Walker, who has been teaching at CSU for 52 years, was awarded the Distinguished Professorship at this ceremony. The appointment of a faculty member to Distinguished Professorship at Cleveland State University constitutes the highest honor that can be accorded to a member of the professoriate. Faculty members selected to hold the title of Distinguished Professor shall hold the title for the duration of their career at Cleveland State University.

As Jearl was accepting this appointment, he promised to continue teaching a while longer at CSU because he loves the school, faculty, staff and most of all the students, noting the most enjoyable moments are in the classroom, hallway or his office when a student suddenly understands something and the ‘fog’ lifts. Thank you, Jearl, for all the inspiration you continue to bring to generations of CSU students and faculty!