NFL and Former Vol Standout Darwin Walker Addresses COE Graduates
Darwin Walker
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Darwin Walker, a defensive tackle for the 2004 National Football Conference Champion Philadelphia Eagles and the 1998 University of Tennessee National Championship Team, was the featured speaker at the UT College of Engineering's 2007 Commencement Ceremony at 9:00 a.m., Thursday, May 10th at the Knoxville Convention Center.
Walker serves as Vice President and Chief Development Officer of Pennoni Associates, Inc. a multi-disciplined consulting engineering firm headquartered in Philadelphia. Originally from Walterboro, South Carolina, Walker is best known for the integral role in defense he played for the Philadelphia Eagles. The slogan on his website, “Engineered to Sack,” speaks to his second passion, civil engineering. He grew up in the construction industry; his parents own Walker Construction Company in Walterboro and are both licensed contractors.
Walker earned his bachelor's degree in civil engineering degree at UT and co-founded Progressive Engineering in Knoxville with fellow Tennessee grad Paul Tucker. The partners developed the firm into a thriving, full-service structural engineering and consulting firm, which is now headed by Walker’s wife, Danielle.
In his role as Vice President and Chief Development Officer for Pennoni, Walker is responsible for creating business opportunities for Pennoni Associates and developing project leads where the firm’s consulting expertise brings value to their clients. Walker works from Pennoni’s offices in both Philadelphia and Knoxville.
Walker is active in many charitable and community-based organizations through the work of his foundation and participation with groups including the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
The college hosted over 200 graduates along with their families and friends at the annual ceremony.
For more information, contact Kim Cowart at (865) 974-0686 or Jay Mayfield at (865) 974-9409.