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Biography:
Walter T. Daniels
Walter T. Daniels, Jr., was born on January 25, 1944
to Dr. Walter T. and Dr. Virginia R. Daniels. He was raised in Washington, D.C.,
where he completed his public education. In September 1961, Walter entered
Howard University majoring in Electrical Engineering. However, in 1964 he
transferred to the University of Pittsburgh to pursue a degree in Political
Science, his true intellectual love.
However, his college studies were interrupted by the
Vietnam conflict. Walter was drafted in 1966 and subsequently enlisted in the
United States Air Force, where he was a Cryptographic Communications
Specialist. Walter served tours of duty in the Florida Keys, South Vietnam, and
Taiwan. Walter was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for his outstanding
service in Vietnam.
After his discharge from the military, Walter
returned to the University of Pittsburgh, completing his undergraduate studies.
He received his B.A. in Political Science and Certificate of East Asian Studies
in April 1971. In fact, Walter was the first African-American to receive the
Certificate in East Asian Studies from the University of Pittsburgh.
Also in April 1971, Walter married Gloria J. Martin
of Pittsburgh. On May 21, 1972 a daughter, Niambi Denene, was born. In
September 1973, Walter accepted a management position with Johnson & Johnson in
Chicago, IL. In October 1976, J&J transferred Walter to New Jersey where he and
the family began their residency in East Windsor, bringing along their
spirit of community service. (It should be noted, that his wife, Gloria, served
three terms as President of the CJNBW.)
Among the many organizations and activities Walter
has participated in are as follows:
East Windsor Juvenile Conference Committee as Vice Chair
Union Industrial Home - Board Member
East Windsor Zoning Board
East Windsor Commission on Aging
HEROS Mentoring Program as Director
Mercer County Human Services Advisory Council
Better Beginnings Child Care Development Center
UNICEF - NJ Ethiopian Famine Relief Committee
Recipient, Mayors'/Better Beginnings Shining Star Award
Walter is very active in the political affairs of
his community, participating in various voter registration drives, and is
currently serving his fourth term on the East Windsor Township Council. He has
also served as Deputy Mayor in 2000, 2004, 2006, and 2007. Further entrenched in
the community, Walter has served as President of the East Windsor Democratic
Club, a member of NJ League of Black Elected Officials, Acting
Chairperson of the East Windsor Municipal Alliance for the Prevention of
Substance Abuse, and Council Liaison to the Commission on Aging.
Faith has been an important part of Walter’s life.
He is a member and Elder of the Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church in
Princeton, N.J., serving on the Board of Sessions – the governing body of the
church.
Walter is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi, one
of the oldest African-American College Fraternities, where he concentrates
his energies into the Guide Right Program. This program embraces high school
age males with the intent to develop their leadership skills. Recently, Walter
became a “Big Brother” with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program of Mercer
County, serving as a mentor for a young male entering the 8th grade
this September.
And despite all these activities, Walter has been a certified
High School Track and Field Official for ten years!
Walter
and his daughter, Niambi, support two scholarships in memory of Gloria (wife and
mother). One of those scholarships is in support of CJNBW’s annual scholarship
program honoring one graduate of Hightstown High School. The other
scholarship, "The Gloria J. Daniels
Science Award," is given to the outstanding science student at McKinley School,
located in New Brunswick, N.J., where Gloria taught for over twenty years.
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