Susan M. Walter ’69 B.A. (Hist)/’71 M.A. (PSc) said her Maxwell School degrees allowed her to distinguish herself early in her career. “The investment and commitment of all the people associated with Maxwell has continued to increase the value of our education there,” she told the Perspective magazine for an article celebrating the school’s 75th anniversary.

Walter was an engaged Maxwell alumna who had a distinguished career in government and private industry and authored two books.

She passed away on April 23, 2023, after a short illness. She was 75.

Her service to Maxwell included advocacy, support and expertise, offered in her role as a member of the school’s advisory board from 1996–2002.

After earning a master’s degree, Walter worked for the Florida legislature and became senior economic advisor to Florida governor Reubin Askew, later working on his presidential campaign. She went on to serve as vice president for governmental relations at the General Electric Corp. She worked closely with Jack Welch, chairman and CEO of General Electric, from 1981 to 2001.

Walter also co-authored “America in Ruins: The Decaying Infrastructure” (Duke University Press, 1981) and “Thinking Strategically: A Primer for Public Leaders” (National Governors Association, 1984), with Pat Choate.