Carolina University today announced that former pastor, Carolina University Graduate (Class of 2000) and current United States Congressman Mark Walker will deliver the keynote address at the University’s May 3 Commencement at Salem Baptist Church.
After serving almost two decades as a pastor – Congressman Mark Walker followed a new calling and launched an improbable but successful campaign to represent the people of North Carolina in the United States Congress. With a message of putting people before politics and a heart for all communities, Rep. Walker took on the challenges of reducing the waste and excess of the federal government, fighting human trafficking, getting Washington out of our classrooms and working on tax reform to help stimulate job growth and expand small businesses.
In the 115th Congress, Walker was elected by his colleagues to serve as the Chairman of the Republican Study Committee – the large conservative caucus of the House Republicans and a leading influencer on policy since 1973. He is also the Co-Chairman of the Congressional Prayer Caucus which works successfully to promote efforts that protect the free exercise of religion for all Americans. Additionally, Walker is a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and the Committee on House Administration.
A native Floridian, Walker has called the Piedmont-Triad home for almost three decades. In vocational church ministry, Rep. Walker worked in various pastor roles including directing musical productions and leading overseas mission trips as well as into the heart of our nation’s inner cities. Prior to his ministry work, Walker worked in business and financial management.
“I have known and admired US Congressman Mark Walker for years, and I am so pleased that he will be our 2019 commencement speaker,” said President Charles Petitt. “His accomplishments in both the pastoral and political realms make us proud that he is a CU alumnus and remind me of the last sentence in our Piedmont Mission Statement: ‘Love for God and students drives our passion to graduate men and women who are thoroughly equipped to be successful leaders who obey the Great Commandment, fulfill the Great Commission, and live abundant lives for the glory of God.’”
Today, Rep. Walker lives in Greensboro, North Carolina with his wife Kelly and his three children – Ryan, Rachel and Anna Claire.
