The Harris-Stowe community expresses its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Albert L. Walker (August 10, 1945-March 27, 2019) who passed earlier this week at the age of 73.
Dr. Albert L. Walker was appointed Harris-Stowe president in August 2011, succeeding Dr. Henry Givens, Jr. Walker served as president of the university until his retirement in 2013.
Before coming to Harris-Stowe State University, Dr. Walker served as president of Bluefield College in Bluefield, West Virginia. He also held various positions in higher education, including vice chancellor for academic affairs at Elizabeth City State University; vice president for academic affairs at Kentucky State University; vice president for academic affairs at Harris-Stowe State University and dean of the School of Education at North Carolina A&T State University.
During his successful career in education, Dr. Walker published numerous articles, taught many courses and received several awards. He served as chair of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), was on the board of American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and served as the Assistant Commissioner of Education in the Division of Urban and Teacher Education for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Jefferson City, MO.
Dr. Walker led Harris-Stowe through a rigorous and successful accreditation process and was known as a democratic and policy-driven leader.
Dr. Dwayne Smith, Provost and Vice-President for Academic Affairs at Harris-Stowe State University remembers, “Dr. Walker was an excellent leader and visionary whom I respected very much.”
Dr. Walker was a graduate of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO., where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. He later earned three Master of Arts degrees from Bradley University in the areas of educational administration, elementary and secondary education, and community college education. He received his Ed.D. in educational administration from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN.
He also served as a teacher, principal and central office administrator in the Peoria, IL public school system, and served 14 years in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of captain.
Walker is survived by his three children, Brian, Lee and Kimberly, and three grandchildren.
Funeral services for Dr. Albert Walker were held on Monday, April 1 in Bluefield, WV.
