New Year, New Leadership at Campbellsville University Harrodsburg Off to Strong Start

by By Katie Neal, Freelance Writer

Campbellsville, KY (01/22/2021) — When Dave Walters walked into his new office in the Conover Education Center on Jan. 4, he did what he has done every day since his tenure at Campbellsville University began nearly three decades ago - he started his day in prayer and then got to work.

It's only been one month since CU acting president Dr. H. Keith Spears named Walters associate vice president for regional administration and director for the Conover Education Center, but Walters already has a vision for the institution's fastest expanding center.

"My focus for the next few weeks is simple: ensure a smooth start to the spring semester, provide steadfast Christian leadership during a time of transition in our world and at our university, and invest in building relationships with people on our campus and in our community," Walters said.

If Walters has hit the ground running, it's because he has set the pace in various administrative roles of increasing responsibility over the last 27 years.

In addition to being a CU alumnus, he has served the university in residence life, student services and admissions, global engagement, and as its Healthy-at-Work Officer, having led the development and implementation of a comprehensive approach for a safe return to the university's multiple sites and locations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Classes at the Conover Education Center began virtually on Jan. 12 and resumed in-person instruction on Jan. 19. Walters has already met with some residential students who have returned to campus and all of CU Harrodsburg's department directors.

The next few weeks include plans to host safe, socially distanced meet-and-greet opportunities with other faculty, staff and students inside and outside of the classroom throughout the course of the semester. Walters said he is also enjoying getting to know the people and places in Harrodsburg that make the community special.

"Just as we suspected, Dave has quickly settled into his role as associate vice president for regional administration and director of the Conover Education Center," Spears said.

"In his first couple weeks, he has shown he has the right leadership skills, honed by his Christian leadership principles, needed to move the Conover Education Center into a bright future," he said.

With 39 pre-professional certificates and associate, bachelor's, and master's degree programs available at CU Harrodsburg, the center's future is bright. For example, construction of the 42,000-square-foot chiropractic building is well underway and will house Kentucky's first chiropractic program this time next year.

"While this year and semester are starting off differently once again due to the COVID-19 pandemic and our safety protocols, our mission and values endure. One thing will never change: we are committed to delivering an exceptional Christian education to our students in a setting - whether in-person or virtual - that enables every student to find their calling and thrive," said Walters.

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.

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