Although he's a native of Witchita, Kansas, Joe Walsh, the performer, was born in the clubs of Kent and Cleveland, while he was a student at Kent State, during the mid-to-late 1960s. He developed his distinctive style during stints with local bands, such as the Measles and the James Gang, and then rose to international fame as a solo artist and as a sideman for the Eagles. Now, he is returning the favor by funding a five-year scholarship for a student in the music, dance or theater programs at Kent's College of the Arts. John Crawford is Associate Dean.
JOHN CRAWFORD: Mr. Walsh had charged us, as Kent State University, to figure out an audition process in order to choose a student. And he wanted to have it start for Fall.
First recipient of the Walsh Scholarship is new student David Jaramillo. The Ecuadorian native impressed the judges with a piano performance of selections Prokofiev. And, reportedly, at no point did his feet touch the keyboard.
