James Lawrence Walkup (February 26, 1914 – August 7, 2002) was an American academic administrator who served as the eleventh president of Northern Arizona University from 1957 to 1979.

He had two brothers named Allen and Lucian[1][2] and attended the Wheeling Baptist Church.

In 1936, he earned a bachelor's degree from Central Missouri State College, where he majored in chemical and biological sciences.

[5] After college, he became an educator of math, science, and commerce, eventually becoming superintendent in Blackburn, Missouri.

He served in the United States Navy as a course analyst for cadet training during World War II.

[6] In 1948, Walkup earned his doctorate degree from the University of Missouri[7] and was recruited by Lacey Eastburn to come to Arizona State College, now known as NAU, as an instructor.

In 1951, he became a Dean of Instruction[8] and developed a whole new curriculum to re-attain the program's accreditation from the North Central Association.

[4] He was named dean of the College of Education in 1955 and was appointed president of Northern Arizona University in 1957.