REV. KENNETH WALKER Pastor Kenneth Walker, a native of Wilkes County, and a graduate with the Class of 1984, has been elected president of the Nu Mu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha in Decatur for the 2007-2008 fraternal year.

Walker will be sworn in by former fraternal national chaplain, Dr. Joe S. Ratliff of Houston, Texas, in September. Walker has served his chapter as director of educational activities and most recently as chapter vice-president. He is the youngest person elected chapter president.

On June 15, he was awarded the prestigious Augustus Witherspoon Leadership Award by his chapter for outstanding leadership in his fraternity, his community and in his chosen profession. Upon accepting the award, Walker said, "I am honored to receive such a prestigious award in the name of a great African American who was the second black person to receive a Ph.D. from North Carolina State University and one who personified exemplary leadership."

This month Walker realized another personal dream with the establishment of the Bessie Mae Hayes Memorial Scholarship in honor of his grandmother.

"My grandmother raised me in Wilkes County and died in 1992. I have always wanted to establish a scholarship in her name to honor her hard work and the values that she taught me as a child which have stayed with me even when I have strayed from them."

The initial $1000 scholarships were awarded to graduating seniors in Walker's congregation, the Tabernacle of Praise Christian Church in Locust Grove. The first Bessie Mae Hayes Scholar scored a 1700 on the SAT and will be attending Mercer University in Macon, and will receive the scholarship each year that she is enrolled at Mercer.