Hitting All the Right Notes

Businessman Continues to Pursue Love of Music at Rider

If you were challenged to guess the number one reason that a Northfield Bank credit analyst with a 1978 business degree and 1991 M.B.A. from Rider University has included his alma mater in his estate plans, you might be hard pressed to come up with music as the correct answer.

For Walter Darr, the Rider experience was more than income statements and balance sheets. Even as he excelled in his business courses, he also harbored a passion for music, participating in Rider Theater, Rider Chorus, concert band and the jazz and pep bands as a clarinetist. As a freshman, he took a pipe organ interim session class taught by Dr. Jane Schatkin Hetrick, a former professor of music at Rider University, and later, began piano studies with Westminster alumna June Tipton '57.

In recent years, Darr has continued his affinity with Westminster by taking Saturday seminars. Eventually he would like to resume his clarinet and piano studies at the Westminster Conservatory.

Darr also attended Westminster's 83rd commencement, describing the ceremony as "out of this world." In addition, this connection reaffirms Darr's decision to include Rider University in his estate plans.

"I feel very strongly about it," he says.

Growing up in Mount Laurel, N.J. and interested in taking finance, management and accounting courses, Darr found Rider's location and business reputation an ideal match. He focused his career path on corporate finance and said his undergraduate studies prepared him immensely for his career.

"It gave me a foundation from a theoretical standpoint," he said. "Just as important, it grounded me for what I do."

Currently a credit analyst with Northfield Bank, Darr says he still relies on the analytical and technical skills he acquired as a Rider student.

While thriving in his financial career, Darr remained connected to Rider and Westminster Choir College. He served on the Rider University Alumni Association from 2002 to 2011 and returned this year. He has financially supported the turf field project and is also a loyal contributor to the Rider Fund.

While working at First Peoples Bank of New Jersey, Darr began to consider pursuing his Master's Degree. Once again, Rider's academic ranking and proximity motivated him to return to Lawrenceville.

"It was a wise move in many respects. I had the track record, knew the school and the school knew me on the academic side," he says. "The analytical and technical studies that I pursued, gave me further depth and knowledge in what I had originally learned as an undergraduate."

During his graduate program, there were a number of professors who left an impression on him, including Dr. Belmont Haydel, professor emeritus of business policy and environment; Dr. Hope Corman, professor of economics; Dr. Sigfredo Hernandez, associate professor of marketing; Dr. Tom Ruble, associate professor of management; and Dr. Ira Sprotzer, chairperson of marketing, advertising and legal studies department.

"They were personable, approachable and very supportive," he says.

Darr credits his time at Rider with giving him the opportunity to achieve his many career goals.

"It's my long-held opinion that my Rider experiences have given me the foundation and the theoretical background I needed to succeed in my career," Darr says.

It has also given him the chance to pursue and enhance his love of music. Clearly, the opportunity to give back to Rider struck the right chord for Darr and for the University.

Leave Your Mark

If you want to learn more about how you can make a difference for Rider students like Christina Diecidue with a planned gift, please contact Ryan W. Baumuller at 609-896-5233 or rbaumuller@rider.edu.