Since the late 1980s, Rutgers University has inducted many notable graduates into its Hall of Distinguished Alumni. However, one alumnus who not only deserves this honor but whose record of lifetime achievement as a musician, conductor of choral music, scholar and teacher brought a great deal of fame and recognition to Rutgers—Francis Austin “Soup” Walter, RC ’32--has been frequently nominated but never selected for inclusion in the Hall of Distinguished Alumni.

The goal of this online petition is to accumulate as many signatures of students, friends and colleagues as we can in support of this year’s nomination. By signing this petition, you will be sending a very powerful message about Soup’s influence on thousands of Rutgers students and how Soup’s leadership of the Glee Club, University Choir and Kirkpatrick Chapel Choir brought both fame and distinction to Rutgers during his lifetime, and continue to do so through their performances and recordings, many of which remain available today.

Please sign this online petition no later than August 31, 2015. The results of the petition drive will be included within the nomination package for this year’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni selection process, which must be submitted by September 7, 2015. If you are a Rutgers University alumnus or current student, please provide your college and graduation year below your signature.

On behalf of all those who were blessed to have been taught or led by Soup during his work at Rutgers, we thank you for lending your support to this important project.

Sincerely,

Tom Struble, RU Glee Club President, 1981-82

Bill Fernekes, RC '74