Schools
Walnut Valley USD Announces "Ray McMullen Way" Dedication Ceremony
Please join us as we honor our beloved colleague and friend for over 70 years of service!
WALNUT, CA— Walnut Valley USD is set to host a dedication ceremony to pay tribute to Ray McMullen for over 70 years of service to students, staff, and schools.
The celebration will be held on March 20 at 4 p.m. at the District Education Center located at 880 S. Lemon Avenue in Walnut.
Ray is a friend, colleague, exemplary leader, mentor, historian, volunteer, and true legend.
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And now his impact will be forever imprinted in the District’s story.
The pathway between Lemon Avenue and Glenwick Avenue will be officially designated as “Ray McMullen Way.”
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“Ray has blessed Walnut Valley with his unwavering dedication to students, heart for service, wisdom, and abundant kindness,” shared Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor.
“His incredible legacy has impacted thousands of our staff members and students.”
In addition, Ray’s late wife, Nancy, will be recognized for designing the WVUSD tree logo in 1968 that is still being used today.
Ray McMullen, who is now 91-years-old, has faithfully served in Walnut Valley USD since 1954.
He has witnessed the District grow from a small rural school district to now serving over 13,700 TK-12 students and ranked one of the nation’s best.
Ray was first hired by Superintendent Cyrus J. Morris to teach an 8th grade class at Suzanne Middle School with 23 students in the K-8 Walnut Elementary District.
After serving two years in the military, Ray returned to the growing 200-student district, where he also drove the school bus!
As he moved into administration, Ray was selected as the first principal at Suzanne Middle School when it had just nine teachers.
Ray also served as director and assistant superintendent in Human Resources.
His abiding philosophy as an educator as always been “Will it be good for kids?” that evolved into the District’s longstanding “Kids First” motto.
When he retired after 40 years of service in 1995, Ray continued to consult, provide leadership training, and serve as official historian.
Ray’s Walnut Valley bus tour is famous among staff members and he narrated the District’s 50th Anniversary Documentary in 2020.
He continues to pay it forward currently serving classified staff members as a Personnel Commissioner.
Ray is also a longtime Kiwanis Club board member and co-founder of the Dedicated to Learning non-profit organization.
