Dr. Diana Walton Scholarship Launch
On this page you will find the media announcement made on September 20, 2022, jointly by CFUW North Bay and Nipissing University, of the new Dr. Diana Walton scholarship, photos of the event itself, and Bay Today’s report of the launch.
MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
September 16, 2022
Nipissing University and CFUW North Bay to Announce New Scholarship
NORTH BAY, ON – Members of the media are invited to attend the public announcement of a new scholarship in memory of Dr. Diana Walton, a French Language and Classical Studies professor at Nipissing University for 37 years who passed away last year following a battle with cancer.
WHAT: The Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) North Bay and Nipissing University have partnered to establish the CFUW North Bay Dr. Diana Walton Scholarship, a memorial scholarship that will be awarded to North Bay and Area females who are continuing their studies in the Faculty of Arts and Science at Nipissing University.
WHERE: NUSU Student Centre, Alumni Lounge, 221 College Drive, North Bay, ON
WHEN: Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 10 a.m.
WHO: Interviews will be available with:
• Dr. Kevin Wamsley, President & Vice-Chancellor, Nipissing University
• Bonnie Roynon, Co-President, CFUW North Bay
• Bill Walton, Husband of Diana Walton, Donor of Funds
Media Contact:
Carly Johnston
Communications Officer
Nipissing University
Media Release
For immediate release
September 20, 2022
New Scholarship to Benefit Female Students at Nipissing University
NORTH BAY, ON – Nipissing University and the Canadian Federation of University Women North Bay (CFUW North Bay) are pleased to announce the establishment of a new scholarship in memory of Dr. Diana Walton, a French Language and Classical Studies professor at Nipissing University for 37 years who passed away last year following a battle with cancer.
The CFUW North Bay Dr. Diana Walton Scholarship will provide a $1,000 scholarship for 15 consecutive years, beginning in the fall of 2022 and continuing up to and including the fall of 2036. Recipients of this scholarship will be North Bay and Area women who are continuing their full-time studies within the Faculty of Arts and Science at Nipissing University, and who exhibit excellent leadership skills, strong work ethic, compassion, perseverance, and financial need.
Dr. Diana Walton was a CFUW North Bay Scholarship recipient herself in 1962, when she graduated from Chippewa Secondary School and began her undergraduate degree at Queen’s University. In May 2001, Diana Walton later served as a keynote speaker at CFUW North Bay’s 60th anniversary dinner. Her support and enthusiasm resulted in new members joining the organization the following September.
In November 2021, Mr. William Walton, husband to Diana Walton, approached CFUW North Bay with a donation of $15,000 to be used towards the club’s ongoing annual scholarships. In consultation with Mr. Walton and Nipissing University, CFUW North Bay established the CFUW North Bay Dr. Diana Walton Scholarship.
“CFUW North Bay is very grateful to Bill Walton for his generous donation to our club’s scholarship efforts, and which inspired us to establish the CFUW North Bay Dr. Diana Walton Scholarship in partnership with Nipissing University,” said Bonnie Roynon and Nat Brunette, Co-Presidents, CFUW North Bay. “We are delighted to announce this memorial scholarship and to increase our capacity to support deserving North Bay and area female students in continuing their education at Nipissing University.”
Since Nipissing University received its charter in 1992, the CFUW of North Bay has given $47,700 in scholarship funding for female students at Nipissing.
“We are incredibly grateful to CFUW North Bay and Dr. Diana Walton’s family for their continued support and contributions to the success of our students,” states Kevin Wamsley, President and Vice-Chancellor, Nipissing University. “This scholarship honours Dr. Walton’s memory, her many years of dedicated service to Nipissing University, and provides support for the next generation of women leaders who will graduate from this institution.”
To learn more about Dr. Diana Walton’s life, visit
Media Contact:
Carly Johnston
Media Launch for the Diana Walton Scholarship at the Nipissing University Student Centre on September 20, 2022
Bay Today’s Coverage of the September 20 Launch of the Diana Walton Scholarship
Bill Walton beamed with pride as he shared what he deems to be a fitting and heartfelt remembrance of Dr. Diana Walton, his beloved late wife.
"I'm certain she's smiling from wherever she is," said Walton from the NUSU Student Centre, Tuesday, where Nipissing University and the Canadian Federation of University Women North Bay announced the establishment of a new scholarship in memory of Dr. Walton, a French Language and Classical Studies professor at Nipissing University for 37 years. She passed away last year following a battle with cancer.
"Diana would be very happy to see this many people turn out in a show of appreciation," said Walton, also clearly touched by the reverence on display by colleagues and friends. "I think it speaks volumes."
The CFUW North Bay Dr. Diana Walton Scholarship will provide a $1,000 scholarship for 15 consecutive years, beginning this fall and continuing up to and including the fall of 2036. The recipients of this scholarship will be North Bay and area women who are continuing their full-time studies within the Faculty of Arts and Science at Nipissing University, and who exhibit excellent leadership skills, strong work ethic, compassion, perseverance, and financial need.
"Diana's experience going through university - trust me - we relied on grants, bursaries and scholarships. They kept us going, they kept her going. She always understood that and always tried to help - especially young women,"
Walton observed.
Dr. Walton was a CFUW North Bay Scholarship recipient herself in 1962 when she graduated from Chippewa Secondary School and began her undergraduate degree at Queen's University. In May 2001, Diana Walton served as a keynote speaker at CFUW North Bay's 60th anniversary dinner. The organization has said her support and enthusiasm resulted in new members joining the following September.
In November 2021, Bill Walton approached CFUW North Bay with a donation of $15,000 to be used towards the club's ongoing annual scholarships. In consultation with Mr. Walton and Nipissing University, CFUW North Bay established the CFUW North Bay Dr. Diana Walton Scholarship.
"CFUW North Bay is very grateful to Bill Walton for his generous donation to our club's scholarship efforts, and which inspired us to establish the CFUW North Bay Dr. Diana Walton Scholarship in partnership with Nipissing University," said Bonnie Roynon and Nat Brunette, Co-Presidents, CFUW North Bay. "We are delighted to announce this memorial scholarship and to increase our capacity to support deserving North Bay and area female students in continuing their education at Nipissing University."
Since Nipissing University received its charter in 1992, the CFUW of North Bay has given $47,700 in scholarship funding for female students at Nipissing.
"We are incredibly grateful to CFUW North Bay and Dr. Diana Walton's family for their continued support and contributions to the success of our students," stated Kevin Wamsley, President and Vice-Chancellor, Nipissing University. "This scholarship honours Dr. Walton's memory, her many years of dedicated service to Nipissing University, and provides support for the next generation of women leaders who will graduate from this institution."
"Diana was a humanist " Walton said as he reflected on his wife's many admirable qualities. "And, she got that, not only from the modern writers like Samuel Beckett - the subject of her doctoral thesis - but also from all the connections she saw in many Greek and Roman writers. She saw the humanity that was in Classical literature, plays, everything. 'Humanity.' That's what we are."