Inspire, Spring 2008

22 spring 2008 I didn’t meet Dick Walker as a student, but on an assignment — this assignment. It only took a minute to get an idea of the kind of man he is. Add that to all the compliments I’d heard in the week leading up to the interview, and I knew I was about to meet someone who represents everything Cedarville is. “I have a long-running history with Cedarville,” he told me, leaning back in his chair, surrounded by lighthouse memorabilia, the walls covered with photos of rafting trips and sailing excursions, a handmade quilt depicting one special year with the Campus Activities Board, and faces of alumni smiling out from every corner of the room. It’s quickly apparent. Want to know about Cedarville? Talk to Dick Walker. History It all started ... actually, not even Dick is sure when it started. Cedarville has always been part of his life. His first Yellow Jacket memory is watching Pete Reese ’60 and David Jeremiah ’63 play basketball in Alford Auditorium. That was when he was in high school — and visiting Cedarville with his youth group. Still, it would be 10 years before Dick would call the school his home. During that time, he attended Bowling Green State University and spent his summers working at Camp Patmos. One summer, Dr. James T. Jeremiah was a guest speaker. “I had a conversation with him about how God was directing my life,” Dick said. “I knew I had to finish at Bowling Green. And all male students knew what they were doing after they graduated — joining the service.” So, join the military, he did, signing up right after graduation in 1968. Dick visited Cedarville again in the spring of 1970. That summer he was asked to interview for a campus activities position. Though that job went to someone else, it led to the beginning of Dick’s Cedarville career. “I started running the intramural recreation program for $35 a week,” he said. “During that first year I had two to three different part-time positions. But I met a young lady.” Her name was Linda Madsen ’71. They went on their first date in January and were married in August. That year Dick was selected to serve as head resident at Cedar Park Apartments. Dick accepted his first full-time position in the fall of ’72 — a food service job he stayed in from August ... to the middle of September. “I was not enjoying it, and it’s the closest I ever came to leaving,” he said. But God stepped in. When Dick’s friend, Ken Nichols ’68, moved to Cedarville’s counseling program, Ken’s position as activities director was open — and an ideal fit for Dick. The two men still smile about God’s timing. Nevertheless, the job would prove to be challenging from the start. His first task was to welcome the Miami University Symphony Orchestra to the Alford Auditorium stage. “Now, I didn’t know a lot about orchestras,” Dick said, “but there was no way they could fit on that stage.” “So, I said to Miami’s director, ‘What would happen if we cleared out the gym and opened up the bleachers?’ And that’s what we did, and that was my introduction to campus activities.” It was also his introduction to the Division of Student Life, which is where he’s spent most of his Cedarville career, including 10 years as dean of men. The second time Dick almost left was in the mid-1980s. It was just following his decade as dean. The timing seemed right to move on … when the campus activities director position opened again. He accepted the job and, today, holds the title of dean of community and family life programs. Through the years, Dick earned his master’s degree in education with a student services focus, and he and Lin have raised two children, Tricia ’96 and Scott ’00. Legacy It wasn’t hard finding people wanting to talk about Dick Walker. When I called Dr. Paul Dixon, he was quick to note that he had known Dick since 1971. He’d barely uttered the words, when I heard a female voice call out, “We remember him when he still had hair and could hear a pin drop!” Dr. Dixon chuckled in agreement with his wife Pat, then added, “I think Dick Walker has probably made some of the most significant contributions of anyone who’s been at Cedarville.” “Dick always goes the extra mile to make people feel special.” The Story of Dick Walker TEN 24: by Sharyn Kopf