BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Walter Perkins

In honor of Black History Month, Falcon Athletics is celebrating those who paved the way. Throughout February, UWRFSports.com will share short interviews with African-American alumni. In these interviews, former student-athletes reflect on their time at the UW-River Falls, provide advice to current Falcons and share what Black History Month means to them personally.
 
Class of 1982 – Walter Perkins
Sport: Wrestling
Years: 1977-1981
Grad Year:  May 1982
Hometown: Chicago, IL  
Major:  Physical Education Minor: Coaching
Occupation: Human Services Manager – Hennepin County, Primary Care Department
 
What do you miss most about UW-River Falls?
I had such a great time here because it was such a close-knit community. In fact, there's still a group of us that meet for dinner on Fridays.  At that time, the athletic department was a very intimate environment; coaches were close to athletes and I had some very good friends on other teams. We hung out, entered homecoming contests together and had a ball. They helped fill the void of my family.
 
What occupies your time now?
After graduation, I worked as a substitute teacher, before pursuing my master's degree at UW-Stout. My wife and I moved around a bit before settling in River Falls, we decided this is where we wanted to raise our kids because it's such a great town. We've been here for over two decades and I've been working for Hennepin County as the Human Services Manager of a mental health clinic.
 
How did your time as a student-athlete prepare you for life after college and athletics? 
School provided me with a great education, although I wasn't the greatest student, the goal was always to finish the race. As a first-generation college student, your parents send you off to school, cross their fingers, and hope you do well. I was fortunate enough to find professors who were genuinely invested in my success. They were always concerned about the next phase; they didn't just give you grades and say good luck. Because of them I was prepared and knew I had options after graduation. The relationships I made at UWRF followed me into my professional career and helped me land my first job out of college.
 
 
What's one piece of advice you would share with current student-athletes?
Get to know your instructors outside of the classroom and meet the chancellor, it is to your advantage to be known rather than unknown. If you need help your instructors are the ones who will be there, outside of your coaches.
 
What is your favorite memory from your time at UW-River Falls?  
There are so many great memories from my time here as an undergrad, it's hard to pick. I met so many great people from all over the country and we shared some great times. However, the first time I met the chancellor was a moment I won't forget.  I was sitting in the student center with some of my teammates and I was pretty stressed out because I was trying to make weight for wrestling. In strolls the chancellor into the student center, he sat and talked with us for maybe ten minutes. I was completely blown away by that because he's a pretty important person.   
 
What are you grateful for?  
I'm grateful for my children and for the many opportunities afforded to me. I've had so many wonderful experiences and a wonderful career, working with judges, commissioners, and legislatures. Throughout my career, I've been able to travel and do many wonderful things across the state. These experiences give me a hope and sense of excitement for the lives that my children will lead. I'm in a good place, life is good. 
 
What does Black History Month mean to you? 
Black History Month is an important time to recognize the black experience, it is a time for contemplation and celebration. As a first-generation college grad, I think about how far we have come and the cascade effects of our accomplishments. I am one of eleven children, 90% of my siblings have college experience and 60% of us have college degrees. Coming from a family where my grandparents had third and fourth grade educations, education was something that was so far out of reach for them, no one could have imagined that we [Blacks] would be well within the mainstream in ways we could not have imagined eighty years ago.  If you do nothing else during Black History Month you should at least find one day to take a moment to pause, contemplate, and appreciate the road traveled.

Check out Black History Month Central for more alumni features.