THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, June 5, 1995 TAG: 9506050032
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ANGELA MOORE CAMPUS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
Corey Walker graduated from Norfolk State University two years ago, but he is more involved than ever in the school's operations.
At 24, Walker is the newest - and youngest - member of the university's Board of Visitors.
``I am proud to be a part of it,'' said Walker, 24, an insurance agent in Charlottesville who graduated cum laude with a degree in business. ``I felt it was a great opportunity to give back to the university.''
Walker, a Norfolk native who was appointed to the board on Feb. 5 by Gov. George F. Allen, sees himself in a unique position. ``I am not far removed from the students; I can empathize with the students' plight. They are our customers.''
Although he is not the youngest person to sit on a college board in Virginia, Walker is the youngest Allen has appointed.
At first, he admitted, he felt a little overwhelmed.
``To be appointed to such a prestigious position so early in my life, I felt a little nervous because I want to do so well,'' he said. But he says he won't have problems asserting himself among people twice his age.
``I don't look at age; I try to make sure I stay on target with goals we have established,'' he said. ``There is no need to assert myself any more or less because we are there to accomplish one thing - and that is to better Norfolk State.''
Walker's goal is to attract more money for student scholarships. ``Because there are a lot of statewide budget cuts going on, private funding is becoming more important to any university,'' he said.
The board's rector, Dr. L.D. Britt, said Walker's presence ``adds a new dimension. My gut feeling is it will be good for the university.''
Some students also think Walker's appointment will bridge a gap.
``Corey can set the policies from a fresh perspective,'' said mass communications student Tanita Ragsdale, 22. ``It's good because a younger member can see things from the students' perspective. It wasn't long ago that he was a student.''
Nathan Thomas III, Walker's fraternity brother at Alpha Phi Alpha, said, ``He is a dynamic individual who is generally concerned about others, his university and his community.''
Walker is an underwriter for State Farm Insurance Co. in Charlottesville. He lives with his wife, Carthene, an NSU graduate pursuing a doctorate at the University of Virginia.
``He is a very strong-willed person and has a very strong moral base, religious-wise,'' she said.
While many of his relatives and friends were surprised by Walker's appointment, a former teacher was not.
``I knew he was going to excel in everything he did; I knew he had a purpose early on,'' said Bertha T. Escoffery, the English honors program coordinator during his freshman year.
Escoffery said she asked him to lead the class when she knew she'd be late.
While a student, Walker served as vice president of the Student Government Association in 1991-92. He was also a member of Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the Student Leadership Program and the Virginia Collegiate Honors Council.
Chad Smith, the president of the student government that year, said Walker brought a professional work ethic to the office. ``He was a person with a lot of principle,'' Smith said.
Walker, a native of Norfolk, also has been appointed to Workforce 2000, a state group that seeks to bring together the business and education communities.
In Charlottesville, he is developing a mentorship program for black males at Albermarle High School and Buford Middle School. Walker, the youngest of four, said his father, Melvin Walker, a social work supervisor for the city of Norfolk, is his ``idol.'' His father, Walker said, taught him about being a man and spurred his interest in helping the community.
``He told me I am not here to just help myself, but it is my obligation to help others achieve their full potential,'' he said. ``I think my future lies in doing what's best to aid humanity.'' ILLUSTRATION: His age, Corey Walker says, made him feel overwhelmed at
becoming the youngest person on NSU's Board of Visitors. But Walker
- and acquaintances say this is typical of him - quickly saw it as a
chance to accomplish one thing, and that ``is to better Norfolk
State.''
DAVID STERLING
KEYWORDS: PROFILE by CNB