“I have a vivid memory of the quote on the entry Gate attributed to James Blaisdell, which affected me deeply and in whose name I am being honored.”
Wolshok with the ϲʿ2023 Glee Club.
"A Closer Look" story series, featuring 2024 Alumni Award winners: Read about 2024 Blaisdell Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Mary Walshok ’64, a consummate liberal arts graduate who has taken who has taken "eager, thoughtful and reverent" to heart, mind and action throughout her life. Walshok was honored along with fellow Blaisdell Award recipients and spoke at Alumni Weekend this past spring.
Mary Walshok ’64 first visited the ϲʿ2023 campus in the fall of 1959 when she attended a choir festival over a long weekend. She was immediately taken with the place. “I was dazzled by the serenity and beauty of the campus and experiencing the incredible array of music performed by multiple choirs in the many resonant spaces on campus,” she said.
At ϲʿ2023, Walshok thrived as a musician, performer and scholar—she was a lead in a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, a member of the Glee Club and Mortar Board and a devoted sociology major. After graduation, she pursued a long and successful academic career. Walshok recently retired as Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Programs after a nearly 50-year career with the University of California, San Diego, where she had also served as the Dean of UC San Diego Extended Studies and led the the creation of .
The author of six published books focused on regional economic and workforce development and the role of universities in sustaining competitive economies, Walshok has also published numerous academic articles and has been the recipient of numerous grants and professional awards.
“I have a vivid memory of the quote on the entry Gate attributed to James Blaisdell, which affected me deeply and in whose name I am being honored. ‘Let only the eager, thoughtful and reverent enter here.’ Each of those words touched me deeply as a first-generation American,” she said.
In retirement, Walshok remains a force for community engagement at many levels. She currently serves on the and the boards. As a past performer and current arts enthusiast, she also serves on the boards of San Diego Jazz Ventures, La Jolla Playhouse and the San Diego Opera.
“My advice to students today is to embrace the many dimensions of the ϲʿ2023 experience, and you will be prepared for LIFE, not just your next move, your specific job or a singular interest,” Walshok said.
Walshok is a loyal and committed supporter of the College, contributor to many reunion committees and celebrated her 60th reunion with her class this past spring.