Bluefield, WV- Dr. Albert L. Walker, Sr. was born to the late Ida Lucille Walker and Roosevelt Walker, Jr. on August 10, 1945 in Memphis, Tennessee. He was a devout Catholic and member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bluefield, WV. Dr. Walker had a passion for automobiles, boating, and collecting coastal memorabilia.
Dr. Albert L. Walker served as president of Bluefield State College from 2002 until 2011. He later became president of Harris Stowe State University in St. Louis, MO until his retirement in 2013. He previously served in the education community as a tenured professor and vice president for academic affairs at Kentucky State University, Bradley University, North Carolina A & T State University, Harris-Stowe State College, Elizabeth City State University and Lincoln University.
He served as assistant commission of education, Division of Urban and Teacher Education for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, dean of education, North Carolina A&T State University; vice president for academic affairs, Harris-Stowe State College; vice president for academic affairs, Kentucky State University; and vice chancellor for academic affairs, Elizabeth City State University. Dr. Walker served as chair of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and was active within HLC for more than five years. He also served on the board of American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
His community involvement included board membership on the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association, United Way of Great St. Louis and the Salvation Army Midland Division. During his tenure as president of Bluefield State College, board memberships included the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce, Bluefield Rotary Club, Mercer County Economic Development Authority, Branch Banking & Trust (BB&T) and the West Virginia Humanities Council. He was president of Bluefield State College Research & Development Corporation, chair of the West Virginia Access Committee for Higher Education, and member of both the Bluefield State College Foundation Board of Directors and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Strategic Planning Committee.
Dr. Walker has also served as president of the WV Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and also served on the NCAA’s President’s Council and Budget Committee. He began preparation for a career in education, earning a baccalaureate degree in elementary education from Lincoln University (Jefferson City, MO) in 1967, then, earned three master’s degrees from Bradley University (Peoria, IL), after which he served as teacher, principal and central office administrator in the Peoria, IL public school system. He was awarded the Doctorate of Education degree from Indiana University, Bloomington in 1974.
Dr. Walker also served 14 years in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of Captain. Dr. Walker was a recipient of the Excellence in Education award and was selected for inclusion in “Who’s Who Among Black Americans” as well as “Who’s Who in American Education”. In 1967 he was united in marriage to Mary Tipler and to this union three children were born.
He leaves to mourn, his children Michael Marshall of Memphis, TN, Brian Walker (Tyra Burks) of Belleville, IL, Albert L. Walker, Jr. of Lexington, KY, Kimberly Riggle (Anthony) of Lexington, KY, and special friend Sangita Mehta and her son, Devansh of Bluefield. He is also survived by six grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday April 1, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bluefield, WV with Rev.
Sabastian E. Devasya officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Monday from 11:30 – 12:30 p.m. A private graveside service will be held in Lexington, KY. Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.
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