Dennis "Dee" Walker, an HCJB World Radio missionary appointee preparing to serve as associate regional director for the Sub-Saharan Africa region, has earned a prestigious award after completing his academic pursuits with high honors.

Walker was elected into the Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges for outstanding merit and accomplishment as a student at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Ill. He obtained his Ph.D. in education last May.

This is an annual award given to outstanding campus leaders for their scholastic ability, participation and leadership in academic and extracurricular activities and community service.

Each school is permitted to nominate a limited number of candidates. Faculty members, deans, directors, department chairs and students themselves annually nominate individuals they feel are worthy of this recognition.

Walker is an assistant professor of education and coordinator of Students Services at Trinity's REACH to Teach adult education accelerated program. Walker and his wife, Bendu, are in the process of raising support so they can serve with HCJB World Radio in Accra, Ghana.

Walker served in various faculty capacities in the U.S. during his studies at Trinity. He was an adjunct professor of education at DePaul University in Lake Forest, Ill., and an adjunct in church administration and ministry leadership at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Ill.

Before coming to the U.S. in 2001, Walker served as pastor and youth minister of the International Church of Monrovia, an interdenominational congregation started by SIM missionaries in Liberia. He also served as producer and programmer at SIM's Radio Station ELWA, academic dean and faculty member at the Liberian Baptist Theological Seminary, and youth minister at Effort Baptist Church.

Walker received his bachelor's degree with a major in biblical studies and a minor in broadcast communications from African Bible College in Yekepa, Liberia. He also earned a master's degree in Christian education from the Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology in Kenya.

The Walkers have been married for 14 years and have three children, Denise (12), Emmanuel (8) and Joel (7).