Walker honored by State Senate

State Sen. Jerry Cooper of Smartt, State Sen. Jim Tracy of Shelbyville, Dr. Art Walker and State Sen. Bill Ketron of Murfreesboro stand before the Tennessee State Senate on Monday as the Senate considers a resolution honoring Walker on his retirement as president of Motlow State Community College. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney) [Click to enlarge]

NASHVILLE -- The Tennessee Senate passed a resolution Monday honoring Dr. Art Walker on the occasion of his retirement as president of Motlow State Community College.

"I am deeply honored," said Walker as he stood in the well of the Senate chambers. "This is truly a great honor for me." He joked that when he was called to the "well," it brought back memories of his childhood, when going to the well had quite a different meaning.

State Sen. Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) is listed as author of the joint resolution, SJR 526; Walker and Tracy were joined in the well by State Sen. Jerry Cooper (D-Smartt) and State Sen. Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro).

"Dr. Walker," said Ketron, "you have definitely set the bar for many of our community colleges."

Cooper said that when Walker announced his retirement, Cooper began receiving calls from Motlow faculty asking if anything could be done to discourage him.

Walker has served as Motlow's fourth president since 2003 but has been with the school for 18 years. He joined the school as a professor of psychology in 1988 after a 26-year career in the U.S. Air Force, from which he retired with the rank of major. He will retire as Motlow's president effective June 30.

"During his tenure as president, the college has expanded course scheduling and online classes, entered into a partnership with Tennessee Tech University to provide the 2+2 Elementary Education Program, facilitated the implementation of the common general education core, and significantly increased enrollment in the Dual Enrollment Program," states the resolution. The resolution also cites Walker's fund-raising efforts on behalf of a free-standing building for Motlow's Smyrna teaching site and the expansion of its McMinnville site, as well as major renovations to the main Moore County campus.

"Higher education, as you know, is exceptionally important," Walker told the Senate.

The resolution honoring Walker passed by a unanimous 32-0 tally of those voting.

Walker told the Times-Gazette he has no particular plans for retirement except to spend more time with his wife and family.

The prayer to begin Monday's Senate session was delivered by Steve Baggett, a former minister at Fairlane Church of Christ who is now at Walnut Street Church of Christ in Dickson.