Walter Jennings’84
Majors: Economics and French
Profession: Executive vice president, Corporate Practice North America, GCI Group
Member: Alumni Executive Council

Walter Jennings never expected to go to a small college. Most of his applications were to schools with 10,000 students or more. He says he was attracted to the large campuses with the “buzz” of the big city, the range of student activities, and the prestige that I thought went with a large school.

“What made a difference was the personal attention I received at St. Lawrence, from the initial application all the way through my graduation,” said Jennings. “I had personal calls from the admissions office, then follow-up discussions with students and alumni. They read my application and tried to get to know me as a person.”

That individual attention persisted through his four years at college, he says. Classes were small, and teachers knew his name (and whether he was doing as well as he should be, he laughs.) “And for a small campus, you wouldn’t believe the variety of things you can do. Ottawa is under 90 minutes away, and as a city it rocks. I also took advantage of study abroad in France and an alumnus helped me land my very first job – in New York City!

Walter Jennings continues an international career in marketing and public relations. He began a new position this spring for an international public relations firm after working for years at the highest management levels for Ford Inc.