Three Join Professor Emeriti Ranks
August 18, 2026
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Walters State honored three of its very best this week, bestowing the title of professor emeritus on three retired faculty members: Dr. Lori Campbell, professor emeritus of education; Sandra Kay Heck, professor emeritus of English; and Malcolm McAvoy, professor emeritus of speech.
Dr. Lori Campbell
Dr. Lori Campbell joined Walters State as a counselor in 1990. She then moved to the
faculty side, becoming an assistant professor of education. She served as dean of
behavioral and social sciences, chief general education officer and vice president
of academic affairs. She is known nationally as a leader in mobile learning. She initiated
new programs to meet the needs of the college service area. One of these was the occupational
therapy assistant program. Following years serving as vice president, she returned
to the classroom as a professor of education for the final years of her career.
Sandra Kay Heck
Sandra Kay Heck taught as an adjunct English faculty member before becoming an assistant
professor of English in 1998. Her career was marked by unwavering dedication to student
success, academic excellence, and the continued advancement of the English program.
She taught English composition, literature, Appalachian literature and learning support
classes. As Walters State's Quality Matters Coordinator, Heck championed excellence
in online and hybrid instruction while leading professional development initiatives
that strengthened teaching across the institution.
Malcolm McAvoy
Malcolm McAvoy joined the college in 1971, becoming the first member of the speech
communications department. For the next four decades, he grew the department and shaped
the culture of the college. In 1972, he launched the first debate team, which soon
brought home the college’s first trophy. In 2008, he coached the debate team to a
national championship. McAvoy was a statewide advocate for communication education
and keeping the subject as a part of the general education core.
In case you are curious, only 14 other people have received this honor. They are Dr. Jack Campbell, president emeritus; Dr. Anne Armstrong, professor emeritus, English; Dr. Orville “Butch” Bach, professor emeritus, business; Dr. James Crawford, professor emeritus, English; the late Dr. James Ford, professor emeritus, physics; the late Dr. Lynn Gilmore, vice president emeritus, student affairs; Dr. Evelyn Honaker, professor emeritus, business; the late Dr. Harold Hayes, professor emeritus, psychology; Dr. Judith Hector, professor emeritus, mathematics; Dr. Julian Jordan, vice president emeritus, business affairs; Dr. Donald Lindsey, professor emeritus, biology; the late Dr. Samuel O’Dell, professor emeritus, history; and the late Dr. Darrell Simmons, professor emeritus, technical education.