Albert L. Walker, former president of historically Black Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis, passed away on March 27, 2019. He was 73 years old.
Dr. Walker was appointed president of Harris-Stowe State University in August 2011 and served in that role until his retirement in 2013. During his tenure, he led the university through a rigorous and successful accreditation. He was known as a democratic and policy-driven leader.
Before coming to Harris-Stowe State University, Dr. Walker served as president of Bluefield College in West Virginia. Earlier in his career, he held numerous positions at various HBCUs including vice chancellor for academic affairs at Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina, vice president for academic affairs at Kentucky State University, vice president for academic affairs at HSSU, and dean of the School of Education at North Carolina A&T State University. He also served as a teacher, principal, and central office administrator in the Peoria, Illinois public school system. Additionally, he was a captain in the U.S. Army where he served for 14 years.
Dr. Walker was also very involved in a number of professional associations. He served as chair of the Higher Learning Commission, was on the board of American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, 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.
Dr. Walker was a graduate of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, where he majored in elementary education. He held three master’s degrees from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, in the areas of educational administration, elementary and secondary education, and community college education. He also held a doctorate in educational administration from Indiana University.
