By Joan C. McKinney, director of university communications, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Dave Walters, who is serving as interim director of the Center for Global Engagement at Campbellsville University’s main campus, has been named to associate vice president for regional administration and director for the Conover Education Center in Harrodsburg.
With a university system concept in mind, Walters will be positioned at the institution’s fastest expanding center with a wide array of academic programs and extracurricular activities including athletics.
“In many respects, Dave Walters is the right person at the right time to help the Conover Education Center,” Campbellsville University acting president Dr. H. Keith Spears said.
“He has a wealth of experience and knowledge about the university with its focus on students, and he has the organizational finesse to move this exciting center to a new level of service,” Spears said.
Walters’ position will report through the university’s provost office. “I am so pleased that one of our strongest administrators is assuming this leadership role,” Dr. Donna Hedgepath, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said.
“We are concentrating on the Conover Center which is symbolic as to how we can best serve our entire region. Dave Walters will bring his talents and the Campbellsville thumbprint to this unique educational location,” she said.
Dr. Choe Sergent, who has led church outreach and supported other regional expansions, recently stepped in to lead the Conover administration during a transition period. He will focus on support responsibilities and academic affairs.
Walters has served the university in several capacities the longest of which was vice president for admissions and student services where he served from 2003 until Jan. 13, 2017 when he left the university for other pursuits.
However, on May 1, 2018, Walters returned to the campus to assist the university in evaluating and developing potential programs. He was named interim director of the Center for International Education (now known as Center for Global Engagement) as well as director of a potential culinary studies program June 16, 2019.
As the COVID-19 pandemic began, Walters became Campbellsville University’s Healthy-at-Work officer in mid-April.
Walters came to Campbellsville University in 1994 as director of South Hall West residence hall and housing coordinator. In 1996, he became director of residence life and served until 1999 when he became dean of students, a position he held until 2003. He served as vice president for admissions and student services from 2003 until 2017.
“I am honored that my colleagues and the university administration have asked me to take on this important task,” Walters said.
“The Conover Center, as does its sister centers across Kentucky and beyond, represents the university at its location. We are in Harrodsburg to serve that region, and we will reflect both the university and the communities as we serve our Christian mission,” he said.
Walters attended University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Tech and Norwood Culinary School and is a 1998 graduate of Campbellsville University where he earned his Bachelor of Sociology and Christian Education. In 2004, he received his Master of Theology degree, also from Campbellsville University.
He graduated from Norwood High School in Ohio in 1973. Walters served as pastor of Mt. Gilboa Baptist Church in Taylor County from 1995 to 1997 and was youth pastor at Hill Station Baptist Church from 1990 to 1994.
Walters is pastor of Lowell Avenue Baptist Church in Campbellsville where he has served since 1998.
Walters is married to Nancy Shillinger Walters, who is assistant to Campbellsville University’s Office of Development where she has been employed since 2017. Previously, she worked at Campbellsville University from 1994 to 2003.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 13,500 students offering over 100 programs of study including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.