VALDOSTA — Dr. Calvin Walker, director of the African-American studies program at Valdosta State University, is wrapping up his final semester at the university after 33 years of employment.

Before he retires in May, he has some final words for students and staff at VSU.

“Thanks for allowing me to learn, to grow, to prosper and possibly to have had made a difference in the lives of a few people,” he said.

Walker, who is also presently the department head, succeeded Dr. Shirley Hardin as he took over the program more than two years ago.

Derrick Carter, administrative secretary for AFAM, said he has mixed emotions about Walker leaving the university.

“By far, he has been one of the best supervisors that I’ve had in my career,” he said. “I’m definitely going to be a little hurt that he’s leaving.”

Walker began working at VSU September 1985, when it was named Valdosta State College, teaching developmental reading and assisting high school students with transitioning into college.

About 10 years ago, he began teaching part-time in the AFAM program, Walker said, and then later started teaching full-time.

He has taught freshman orientation, internet technology, intro to African-American studies, African-American males in popular culture, African-American seminar and race, class and gender while at VSU.

“Growing up, I never wanted to be a teacher,” he said. “I thought, OK, I’m going to do anything but teach.”

After exploring other career opportunities, the Tennessee native began to pursue his bachelor’s in history at University of Tennessee at Martin, where he also minored in political science and received teaching certification.

While at the University of Tennessee at Martin, he earned his first master’s degree, which was in reading education-secondary education, he said.

His training continued at Georgia State University where he received his second master’s, which was in public administration, and a doctoral degree.

Walker’s admiration for AFAM came from classes he attended while in college, he said.

“Those classes I fell in love with because it represented me, and it was also different than what we got in public schools,” he said.

As an educator, Walker said he would like to see more diversity in the teaching of history, he said. History should be all-inclusive, he said.

“What taking African-American studies did for me, and what I hope it is doing for our students, is showing that we are a part of American history and a part of the United States and a part of world history,” he said.

The greatest gift he said teaching provides him is to witness his students learning the subject matter in-depth.

“Every now and then, you’ll get a student that comes back and says, ‘you’ve made a difference,’ and not that we’re looking for that, but it’s nice to hear that,” he said.

Walker said his time at VSU has been interesting, and he said he’d like to see the minor-based AFAM program steadily grow.

He also said he’d like to see AFAM one day have a bachelor’s program where students can be AFAM majors and be employed in any field.

As Walker prepares to exit the education field, he plans to enter into the realm of relaxation following retirement.

Some of the things he said he wants to do is read antique books, watch old movies, travel, restore an old car and continue his work with the GOLFER program.

GOLFER, or Generating Opportunities in Life for Each Resident, is a program started by Valdosta Police Department Officer Mark Burkhardt.

Through the program, Walker will reach out to children who’d like to one day attend college.

“The idea is to have somebody teach them how to play golf, and to show them that it doesn’t matter where you start; it’s where you go,” he said.

Carter was asked to give his last words to Walker before he retires.

“Congratulations and definitely wish you well in this next phase of life,” he said.

Interviews are currently taking place to see who will replace Walker as director of the AFAM program, Walker said.

Amanda Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.