Senior Jordyn Walker hadn't even heard of The Catholic University of America until his final year of high school. A recommendation from a graduate changed everything.
“The more I researched Catholic, the more I thought it was a place I could see myself for the next four years,” Walker recalled. “It just gave me a feel of a small community. I like that feeling of knowing everyone. I got that feeling when I visited. Everyone said hello and I felt like I was at home.”
Now, he owns several track records and is on pace to graduate this May with a nursing degree.
Walker grew up outside of Philadelphia and was compelled to come to Catholic after seeing all that it offered athletically and academically while being in the heart of Washington, D.C.
On the track, Walker broke a pair of 56-year-old jumping records in January during the first-ever Cardinal Classic at Prince George's County Sports & Learning Complex. Walker claimed program best marks in the long jump and triple jump with 7.08m and 13.82m efforts respectively. The standout broke his triple jump record Feb. 11 with a 14.25 meter effort in Boston. It is the second-best mark in Landmark Conference history and currently the 19th best this season in the nation.
In addition to his class load, track practices and meets, Walker has off-campus nursing clinical experiences at hospitals in D.C. and Virginia on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Walker gives medication to patients, reviews charts and learns from top medical professionals.
Catholic’s nursing program, ranked as one of the best in the nation, has afforded him opportunities that are second to none.
“I wanted to do something that could help people and see that change in their lives,” he said. “They've set me up to the best person I can be and the best nurse I can be.”
Walker, who has a 3.4 grade point average, said he is thrilled with his decision to come to Catholic University.
“I don't think I could have imagined the things I would achieve athletically and academically,” Walker said.
Note: More of Jordyn Walker's story will be shared in future months. Learn more about Catholic University today.