Dr. Walter Anderson (posthumously) was a long-time history professor at A.C.C./Barton and was a foreign student advisor.  Many believe Anderson was instrumental in bringing international students – athletes and non-athletes – to Barton College (then Atlantic Christian).

After a brief stint as an Adjunct History Professor, Anderson became a full-time member of the faculty in 1966 until his retirement in 1991.

Tom Parham, former legendary Bulldogs’ men’s and women’s tennis coach, believes Anderson was instrumental in bringing the school its first foreign-born scholarship athlete in Asa Niaz.  From there, the pipeline opened for international athletes to come to Barton and over 50 foreign-born players dotted Barton’s rosters for the 2019-20 academic year.

His son, Eric, reiterates his passion for international students and Barton (Atlantic Christian).  “He was immensely proud of his work at the school and of his students.  He was very dedicated to the Foreign Student Program and his studies in Scotland (pursuing his doctorate) helped fuel that work.”

“He developed close friendships across departments including Mildred Hartsock (English), Ed Brown and Norbert Irving (Art), William Paulsell and Dan Hensley (Religion), Charles Rakow (Music), Tom Parham, and Ed Holloway in his own History Department to name a few,” added Eric Anderson.

“His passion for Social Justice and Civil Rights, especially late in his life is something that has impacted me throughout my life,” added Eric Anderson.  “He was eyewitness to much of the horrors of the Segregated South, especially during his time as a Campus Minister living in Birmingham, Ala., during the days of Bull Connor.”

Anderson was born in Jetersville, Va., on August 31, 1927.  Anderson earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Richmond, a Bachelor of Divinity from Lexington Theological Seminary, and his Doctor of Philosophy from University of St. Andrew’s (Scotland).

Anderson was also the minister at First Christian Church in Wendell, N.C., while teaching as an adjunct at A.C.C./Barton.

Asked about what this induction would mean to him, Eric Anderson noted: “I think he would have been humbled, honored, slightly bemused and certainly amused.”

“My father was true to his Swedish heritage,” concluded Eric Anderson.  “He was quiet, dignified, never boastful, but proud. He treated people kindly and with respect, rarely raised his voice in anger and was truly a gentle man.  He had a passion for education and prized the friendship of his colleagues. He was very loyal to his family, his faith, and his profession.”

Eric Anderson said his father’s pride for A.C.C./Barton, particularly the tennis team, was very apparent, and continued into his retirement as he remembers a late-night phone call from his father detailing Anthony Atkinson and the final minute of the 2007 NCAA Division II Men’s National Championship Game.