Bishop George W. C. Walker Sr., senior bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion will speak at this year’s Founder’s Day Convocation at Livingstone College. The program will be held at 10 a.m. today in Varick Auditorium. The official observance is centered around the celebration of its founding president, Dr. Joseph Charles Price, a powerful administrator, preacher and personality who was under the guidance of leaders of the AME Zion Church.

The Livingstone Founder’s Day celebration is held the Thursday closest to the birth date of Dr. Price and, as if by providence, is observed during the month known as “Black History Month.”

Bishop George Washington Carver Walker Sr. was born Oct. 11, 1940, to the Rev. Roosevelt Leon And Lemon Louise Pace Walker in Montgomery, Ala. He attended public schools in Fair Hope, Greenville and Luverne, Ala. Upon graduation from high school, he entered Clinton Junior College in Rock Hill, S.C., where he earned an associate in arts degree. He attended Livingstone College and Benedict College, Columbia, S.C., where he earned a bachelor of arts degree. He later entered Hood Theological Seminary, where he earned a master of divinity degree. As a result of many years of loyal service to Zion, Livingstone College bestowed upon him an honorary doctorate of divinity degree. He has been, and continues to be, the recipient of numerous awards and citations.

In 1959, he was admitted to the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Conference as a traveling minister. In November 1960, he was ordained a deacon by the late Bishop Daniel C. Pope, at which time he was also admitted to the Pee Dee Annual Conference. Approximately one year later, in April 1961, Bishop Daniel C. Pope ordained him elder. Between 1960 and early 1988, he pastored Rock Hill and Piney Grove churches; St. James and Mount Airy; Foundation and Tabernacle and Jones Memorial Church, all located in South Carolina. During these pastorates, his accomplishments were many, resulting in his being assigned to The Greater Walters A.M.E. Zion Church, Chicago. Under his leadership, he led this congregation in purchasing the property at 8400-22 S. Damen Ave., Chicago, where he and the membership made a beautiful addition to Zion and completed payment for this structure seven years in advance.

On Aug. 5, 1988, at Little Rock A.M. E. Zion Church, Charlotte, after a long and distinguished pastorate throughout Zion, he was elected the 81st bishop in succession of the A. M. E. Zion Church during the 43rd Session of the General Conference. He has presided over the following conferences: Arkansas, North Carolina, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Southwest Rocky Mountain, California, New York, Western New York, New England and the Bahama Islands. While serving in the Northeastern Episcopal District, he led them in the purchase of a stately Episcopal residence located in Farmington, Conn. On Oct. 11, 1997. This beautiful structure was dedicated during a special service of celebration. Prior to his reassignment to the Piedmont Episcopal District, the mortgage on this property was liquidated.

During the 47th Quadrennial Session of the A. M. E. Zion Church General Conference, which convened in Greensboro July 28 through Aug. 3, 2004, he was assigned to the Piedmont Episcopal District, which comprises Western North Carolina, West Central North Carolina, Blue Ridge and the Jamaican Conferences, and was elevated to the level of senior bishop of the A. M. E. Zion Church.

On Founder’s Day, members of the Price and David Livingstone family attend and are formally recognized for their legacy and living heritage. The families lead a long academic processional following the convocation speech to the Price Mausoleum, where a wreath-laying ceremony is carried out by the family and leaders of the student government.

During the 10 years Price served as president, a grammar school, which served as a preparatory school, was constructed and a classical and theological course were added. Dodge Hall for women and Ballard Hall were built. Bishop George W. C. Walker Sr., is chairman of the Board of Trustees for Livingstone.