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Dr. Steve Walters will remain a fundamental part of who we are at Prescott College; we have been shaped and partially defined by his beliefs, his spirit, and his actions. As a faculty member since 1990 and later as the Dean of the Adult Degree and Graduate Programs at Prescott College (1997-2004), Steve set a high standard for collaborative, mutually supportive excellence. He modeled creative visioning, self-sacrifice, trust, patience, hard work, and humor. Certainly a large part of our success as a program stemmed from his unflinching trust in all of us as valuable team members and as unique individuals.
Steve was a man who balanced a rich and engaged life as an Arizona Bicycling Champion with a devotion to family and with his unquestioned commitment to Servant Leadership at Prescott College. His quiet strength—his ability to envision a future that was based on the creative power of his faculty, staff, and students, and his unquestioned commitment to everyone he served as a leader—was a powerhouse for the community. His strength came from an inner confidence that he had developed as a successful athlete.
Cycling truly was Steve’s passion. He raced at state and national levels of competition for many years. He was rated in category II by the USCF (United States Cycling Federation), the second highest rank attainable as a non-professional cyclist. In 1998 he was second at the National Time Trials. He was the Arizona State Road Racing and Hill Climbing Champion in his age group many times, his most recent win being the 2004 Mt. Graham hill climb in September 2004. Wherever he is, he is riding his bike.
While Steve’s background as an extremely competitive athlete was a large part of his life outside of Prescott College, his humility of spirit as a leader was the side of him we knew and loved the most. As a leader at Prescott College, Steve brought years of experience as a curriculum specialist, math teacher, track coach, and elementary school principal at Paradise Valley School District in Phoenix. This background made him able to clearly and practically see the world as it was. He worked with people in a way that made each person feel valued and empowered to follow her or his creative strengths. Steve built a culture of trust in which we welcomed change, embraced innovation, and supported each other in all endeavors.
At work, at races, and at home with his family, Steve taught by example: his calm, supportive, and respectful approach to people and issues allowed those in his life to find what they needed in themselves to succeed.
Steve’s contributions to Prescott College are numerous. Besides helping to define the culture of the Adult Degree and Graduate Programs, he was instrumental in the creation and implementation of the Master of Arts Program in 1992 and was a driving force in the visioning and design for Prescott College’s Ph.D. Program in Sustainability Education.
Some of us will mourn his death for many years to come, but all of us will remember how much he gave of himself and how willing he was to put others first as he successfully helped each of us to reach our potential and perform at our best. Steve was the quintessential student of Servant Leadership—an everyday hero that practiced the art of empowering others.
 To honor Steve Walters now and in the future, Prescott College, in conjunction with Steve’s family, has established the Steve Walters Scholarship Fund. Each spring the Steve Walters Scholarship will be awarded to continuing students enrolled in the Adult Degree and Graduate Programs who share some of Steve's vision of service and servant leadership. Information about applying for the spring 2008 scholarship is available below.
Please help us to celebrate a significant life of service that was dedicated to supporting others in alignment with the Prescott College mission. We ask you to give your support to ADGP students who demonstrate a similar humility of spirit and commitment to giving to others. For information about contributing to the Steve Walters Scholarship Fund, please contact Joel Hiller, Prescott College Director of Development, 928-350-4501. Checks should be made payable to Prescott College.
Applications for the Steve Walters Scholarship can be made each year by contacting the Financial Aid Office at Prescott College. Applications must be received by March 31 for the spring award.
Criteria for application:
- Continuing student in ADP, MAP, or the Ph.D. Program (completed at least one term of study by date of award)
- Full time or half time students
- Any academic discipline
Required for application:
- A completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- A completed Prescott College scholarship application form and essay
- A 2-3 page essay addressing the student’s understanding of, and commitment to, servant leadership and how her or his scholarly or professional work relate to servant leadership
Last updated October 10, 2007.
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