Tom Walsh is a consummate professional. He was tough, but for all the right reasons.

You were to be prepared, on time, present and always engaged, no excuses. He built teamwork. He organized exhibitions of our work, helping us to develop exhibition records at established galleries. Tom appreciated and respected hard work, because he is a hard working artist and sculptor. He is incredibly well read. I struggled to keep up with his assigned readings because they were so in-depth in psychological and philosophical terminology. To this day I have yet to finish “The Great Mother”. My work has, over the years, has always been influenced by my strong religious upbringing and my struggles with dogma and absolutes. Tom’s readings helped me to better come to grips with how to view and accept religion as a mechanism in visualizing sculpture and art history. His appreciation for indigenous cultures and art history had a profound effect on my artistic vision, voice and personal life.

We had an extraordinary visiting artist program at SIU, that Tom shaped and organized. These experiences were very personable and direct. Well established artists like Red Grooms, Ed Pashke, Martin Puryear, Stephen DeStaebler (a fellow faculty member later In my career) and Paul Soldner were just a few of the artists with whom we were able to develop relationships. The opportunity to work directly with Ernest Trova and Linda Rosenus are cherished experiences.

As a graduate student, Tom’s vision of teamwork and support among the students became integral in my career, specifically related to promotion and commissions. Tom wrote several letters of recommendation for me throughout the years. Many connections and friendships were developed at SIU. I will forever regard Tom as an important mentor in my life and recognize him as a guiding force in my decision to continue to pursue the making of sculpture as a life-long endeavor.