Mort Walker at Mizzou

From Jon Hamm to Sheryl Crow, Michael Sam and J'Den Cox, (and almost Brad Pitt), the University of Missouri has no shortage of famous alumni. One of the most beloved members of the Tiger family is cartoonist Mort Walker, whose cartoon tales highlighted everyday American life while paying homage to his Alma Mater.

Mort Walker

Addison Mort Walker (1923 - 2018) was an artist and comic strip creator best known for the creation of Beetle Bailey, a beloved military private who was known for his chronic laziness and juvenile behavior. Walker first arrived at Mizzou in 1943 at age 20 but was drafted only a semester later to serve in World War II. During the war, he served in Italy as an intelligence officer.

Walker returned to Mizzou in 1946 and like many other veterans, he found adjusting to civilian life difficult. While Walker hoped to major in journalism, a disagreement over perquisites led the way for him to change his major before graduation. During his time at Mizzou, Walker was a straight A student and contributed his humor and talent to The Showme, a student-run humor magazine.

While not strictly biographical, Walker based his most beloved character, Beetle Bailey©, on David Hornaday with whom he shared many life experiences. The two men grew up together, joined the same fraternity at Mizzou (Kappa Sigma), and were drafted into the military at the same time.

Walker graduated from Mizzou in 1948 with a BA in humanities, migrated to New York, and became one of the most successful cartoonists of all time. 

Walker, Mort. Beetle Bailey Comic Strip, 1989, University of Missouri Special Collections.

Mort Walker Exhibition and Collection

The exhibition aims to highlight Walker's time as a student, while also focusing on the ways in which he gave back to the university once he graduated, earning his True Son moniker. While at Mizzou, Walker was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, serving as president in his senior year. He continued to support the organization by creating drawings and comics for fraternity celebrations and anniversaries. 

Walker, Mort. Beetle Bailey's Eyes!, 1989, Public Arts Collection.

After graduation, Walker continued to find success in his career as a cartoonist, but he never forgot his memories at Mizzou. His time on campus was often reflected in drawings and stories of Beetle Bailey, as well as his personal experience coming back to campus after WWII. 

In 1992, a Beetle Bailey statue was unveiled on campus during the annual homecoming celebrations. The statue was designed and  manufactured by Walker and his son, Neal Walker. In 1999, the statue was relocated adjacent to the Reynolds Alumni Center, where the original "The Shack" stood. 

At the opening of the MU Student Center in 2010, Walker joined the festivities with his pal Beetle Bailey for the opening of "Mort's" in The Shack. Pictures from that visit are on view in this exhibition.