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changes)In his 40-plus years in the classroom as a professor at Augusta State University, Ralph Walker has taught a lot of students.
"I figured one day it's pretty close to 10,000," said the longtime political science professor and analyst, noting that he often sees some of his past students out in the community.
Last week, that figure became cemented as Dr. Walker, 79, taught his last official class at the university, although he plans to continue as the director of ASU's research center. His wife, Monica, said he actually retired in 2000, but he stayed active as a teacher in the classroom until last week.
Now, Dr. Walker said, he's looking to spend more time traveling.
"I'd like to go back to Germany again," he said, adding that he enjoyed a teaching visit to the country in 2007. Dr. Walker was asked to serve as a faculty member in the summer of 2007 through a partnership with the University of Muenster, to address the effects of the civil rights movement on the South and the South's effects on national politics.
Through the years, Dr. Walker has been called on by many for his expertise, often providing political analysis in local elections and even being brought in as a consultant and writer of Augusta's consolidated government charter.
His wife said he also was a Richmond County school board member in the 1980s and was instrumental in the creation of John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School.
Since starting work at ASU in 1969, Dr. Walker said, he has served under five presidents and has seen many changes.
When asked about fond memories at ASU, Dr. Walker mentioned former Augusta Mayor Charles DeVaney, who died in January 2007 in a single-vehicle wreck in Jasper County, S.C.
"Charles DeVaney was my graduate assistant for a while," he said. "We got to be real close friends."
Dr. Walker said he came to Augusta as the result of a career change. In the '60s, he worked as a technical writer for the Aerospace Corp., living in Florida.
"I met many of the original astronauts," he said.
Then he said he was told he would be reassigned to one of two places in California. Rather than make the move, Dr. Walker decided to pursue a different career and earned his doctorate degree at the University of Georgia. He was allowed to work part time at UGA's Institute of Government and in 1969 was brought on at then Augusta College for a one-year contract.
"And I had a one-year contract every year since," he said.
Reach Preston Sparks at (706) 828-3851 or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
He went after his dream and made it happen just like the men who had the courage to sit at that lunch counter in NC. Why begrudge everyone who made something of their life. You want folks to carry a guilt complex for a system that was in place long before they came along. It changed, its still changing, get over it.
For some reason, the Black community seems to think being White was equivalent to a free ride. In the 1960's, a student actually had to learn very complicated subjects, Today's college degree is not much better than a high school education of the 1960's. Everything has been "dumbed down". Most whites in the South during that period were as poor as the blacks. I grew up in a shack as did my cousins. Today, Whites view Blacks as "free riders" who don't work for their degrees and view blacks at getting first shot at jobs they are not qualified for. Wheather true or not depends upon who you ask...a black person or a white person. After 40 years of preferential treatment, if blacks cannot compete on equal terms, they will never be able to do so.
For some reason, the Black community seems to think being White was equivalent to a free ride. In the 1960's, a student actually had to learn very complicated subjects, Today's college degree is not much better than a high school education of the 1960's. Everything has been "dumbed down". Most whites in the South during that period were as poor as the blacks. I grew up in a shack as did my cousins. Today, Whites view Blacks as "free riders" who don't work for their degrees and view blacks at getting first shot at jobs they are not qualified for. Wheather true or not depends upon who you ask...a black person or a white person. After 40 years of preferential treatment, if blacks cannot compete on equal terms, they will never be able to do so.
Yes they do Justus! Hope you take note that Dr. Walker's success and accomplishments came because of his education. Those opportunities are now available to ALL thanks to the civil rights movement. If everyone would put forth the effort and energy that Dr. Walker did on educating himself maybe more individuals of all races would succeed. When you live in the past you get stuck in the past. Congratulations Dr. Walker. Enjoy your retirment at last and thank you for your service to the community and to ASU!
Good luck, Ralph. My first time in your classroom was a wonderful experience. You came in with your steaming coffee and had a stack of tiny aluminum ashtrays for your students that smoked. That was 1976. I still enjoy seeing you at the Village Deli, and I can NEVER remember an unkind word coming from your lips. You are a gentleman and an Augusta icon.
Ralph Walker has been one of Augusta's most influential leaders in the local civil rights movement. Justnuts is, just nuts.
Well, one less left winger indoctrinating our kids at ASU. Walker has been so far to the left he crabs that way when he walks.
hope he stays in germany.
Dr. Walker was one of my favorite professors. As I was finishing up my undergraduate degree in political science, Dr. Walker encourage me to apply for an internship with Senator Sam Nunn. What a wonderful experience that turned out to be! Because of that experience I ended up working in Washington, DC for several years, obtained graduate degrees from UGA and Syracuse University, and for the past several years I have been a professor of political science at Missouri State University.
I owe much of my success to Dr. Walker's influence. Having been in several of your classes, I just want to say thanks SO MUCH for helping me get started in my career. I will always be grateful to you for all of your help and guidance.
All the best in your retirement.
Sincerely,
Patrick G. Scott, Ph.D
Congrats Dr. Walker, ASU will miss you. Long live OD.
Congratulations Dr. Walker, you are a great example for our students in ASU.
It didn't matter if you agreed with Dr Walker's political views. He ALWAYS challenged me to dig deeper!!! I was in several of Dr Walker's classes way back in the early 70's and I really enjoyed each one. Congrats to you on your retirement. Enjoy!!!
Dr. Walker was a great professor. I enjoyed his classes in the last 70s. I was probably the most conservative person in the classes but he always encouraged real discussion of ideas.
justus4 why is any positive information about a white person an offense to you?in case you have'nt been made aware blacks have more than equal rights today.i wonder how many marches you were in during the 60's or if anyone told you that 75% of the atlanta city hall is not white or that the mayor is not white.I AM WHITE AND MY WIFE IS MEXICAN AND MY BEST FRIEND IS BLACK AND I DO NOT ACCEPT THAT THEY CAN BE LESS THAN ME BASED ON COLOR i hope you are not raising your children based on just americas history but also it's present.
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