Galal Walker, professor in the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures, has been awarded the 16th Association of Departments of Foreign Languages Award for Distinguished Service to the Profession. He was recognized for his four decades of innovative contributions to the field of Chinese language teaching and learning, including mentoring generations of students and teachers, authoring sophisticated texts and teaching materials, and developing and directing model study abroad programs. The executive committee also noted Walker's role as an ambassador to public and government audiences from the field of less commonly taught languages. The award will be presented next January at a Modern Language Association convention in Boston.