J. Walk: More than a nickname
Certain celebrities are given nicknames by adoring fans and colleagues. Jennifer Lopez is J. Lo. Jennifer Lawrence is J. Law. Justin Timberlake is J.T.
Though there are no celebrities at Lee University, a beloved professor has his own special nickname. Associate Professor of Old Testament and Christian Ministry Dr. Justin Walker is known by the nickname “J. Walk.”
Though the nickname is informal, it is not a sign of disrespect. It is proof that Walker has earned the respect of students and colleagues because of his passion for students, teaching and Lee University.
Walker attended Lee from 2005 to 2009. When he first arrived he was undecided, but chose to become a bible and theology student. During his time as a student, he was involved in various ways, such as playing in the chapel band, serving as chaplain for Upsilon and starting a nonprofit ministry.
“All of that began to orient me more toward the church and ministry … Those were the years that I learned that this is all that I want to do for the rest of my life,” Walker said.
After graduating in 2009, worked in various pastoral roles while earning a master’s degrees in divinity and theology and a Doctor of Philosophy in Hebrew Bible, Old Testament.
At the end of this period, Walker was trying to figure out if he wanted to continue in ministry or seek out a professorship. He was offered an opportunity to teach at Lee.
“Dr. Conn called. I should say God called in the voice of Dr. Conn, and this became the inevitable and undeniable next step for us,” Walker said.
Walker began teaching at Lee in 2019 and has become a beloved professor since then.
“I make the joke all the time now that students should not look Justin Walker in the eyes because if you do, you're going to become a theology or ministry major. He just has this impact. Students love his classes,” says President Dr. Phil Cook.
While students enjoy having Walker at Lee, he also enjoys being at Lee.
“There's no other place I would rather teach. There's no other place that I would rather be. This is the place that formed me and that shaped me for all of its quirks and wonders, so it is truly a homecoming to have this opportunity to teach at Lee,” Walker said.
Walker is known for bringing humor into the classroom, believing that having fun and covering course content well are not mutually exclusive.
“I think the literature of the scriptures is inherently engaging. It's inherently funny. It's inherently thoughtful. It's inherently disturbing. I think whatever humor or fun or relaxed environment I have is, in some sense, a reflection of what I've learned from my father, my grandfather, my mentors … I want the classroom to reflect what it is that we're learning … The humor is just there, because it's my very imperfect and flawed attempt at one of my favorite genres of the human language, which is stand up comedy,” Walker said.
Besides creating an engaging environment in the classroom, Walker also enjoys connecting with his students one-one-one.
“We've had long, deeply impactful conversations — not just for them, but for me. We process the pain of the world, the pain of their experience, the pain of my experiences. Conversations in my office, sitting before students and feeling the wheels of intellect turning and reshaping right as I teach, not only within them, but within myself,” Walker said.
This semester, Walker is stepping into a larger role at Lee. As of Aug. 1, he is the dean of the School of Theology and Ministry (STM). He was offered the role in Oct. 2025.
“Let's just say I'm as surprised as anyone else,” Walker said. “After prayer and reflection with people that I care about, that I consider mentors in my life, it was no longer just a matter of, ‘do I want to do this,’ but ‘do I have the choice not to?’”
Walker looks forward to being able to plan the future of the STM.
“I look forward to the dreaming — dreaming with faculty colleagues, dreaming with students, dreaming with staff — about where we're going, where God's leading us, what God has placed in us, what new structures, what new degree programs and what new efforts might we steward,” Walker said.
President Cook is excited for Walker to assume the role of dean, stating that Walker has earned the respect of many groups on campus.
“[He] emerged from the faculty as a leader … the students love him as well,” Cook said.
Though Walker has taught at Lee for less than a decade, he has already made a great impression on the university. As he steps into the role of dean, he plans to continue to make his mark and put hard work, faith, and passion into guiding the STM.
Photos by Emme Lowder
