Meet The New President-Dean
Ken J. Walden was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Saint George, South Carolina. At an early age he served in leadership positions within various organizations such as the Junior Chapter of the National Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Boy Scouts of America, and congregations. He is an ordained clergymember of the California-Pacific Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Walden has earned degrees from The Citadel (BS), Duke Divinity School (M.Div.), Graduate Theological Foundation (D.Min.), and Claremont School of Theology (MA & PhD). He is a recipient of a Meritorious Service Medal from the United States Air Force. He is currently a Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force Reserve (USAFR). His military assignments include the following: 1. Pope Air Force Base (NC) during 2002-2003, 2. Selfridge Air National Guard Base (MI) during 2003-2005, 3. March Air Reserve Base (CA) during 2005-2012, 4. Joint Base Annacostia-Bolling, (DC) during 2012-2014, and 5. Shaw Air Force Base (SC) during 2014-Present.
Prior to being named the President of Gammon, Walden served as Director of Supervised Ministry, Director of the Center For Chaplaincy, and Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling at Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, NC. In those capacities, he provided administrative and academic leadership to the seminary. Walden’s service to the larger community included serving as a board member of the following: 1. Center for Faith and the Arts, 2. Civitan International – Salisbury Chapter, 3. Lee Street Theatre, 4. Military Officer Association of America (MOAA) – Salisbury Chapter.
Before his service at Hood Theological Seminary, Walden served as a Senior Advisor for a Department of Defense’s Program in Washington, DC. He provided advisement pertaining to trauma, strategies related to stress, spiritual enrichment, family support, managing conflict, problem solving, and effective communication. He also led retreats for personal growth, character development, team building, and ethical leadership. His areas of responsibilities included The Pentagon and The Defense Intelligence Agency. Before moving to Washington, DC, Walden served as University Chaplain and Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Claflin University.
Walden’s pastoral appointments include the following: 1. Senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Lakewood (CA), 2. Senior Pastor of Wilshire United Methodist Church (CA), 3. Associate Pastor of Hope United Methodist Church (MI), and 4. Associate Pastor of Orange United Methodist Church (NC).
He is the author of the following three books: 1. “Practical Theology for Church Diversity: A Guide for Clergy and Congregations”, 2. “Challenges Faced by Iraq War Reservists and Their Families: A Soul Care Approach for Chaplains and Pastors”, and 3. “A Pastor’s Poetry: Volume One.”
Walden and his wife Michelle have been married for over 17 years. Walden’s extensive experiences within the military, academic community, and congregations have prepared him to become the 16th President of Gammon Theological Seminary.
Walden has earned degrees from The Citadel (BS), Duke Divinity School (M.Div.), Graduate Theological Foundation (D.Min.), and Claremont School of Theology (MA & PhD). He is a recipient of a Meritorious Service Medal from the United States Air Force. He is currently a Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force Reserve (USAFR). His military assignments include the following: 1. Pope Air Force Base (NC) during 2002-2003, 2. Selfridge Air National Guard Base (MI) during 2003-2005, 3. March Air Reserve Base (CA) during 2005-2012, 4. Joint Base Annacostia-Bolling, (DC) during 2012-2014, and 5. Shaw Air Force Base (SC) during 2014-Present.
Prior to being named the President of Gammon, Walden served as Director of Supervised Ministry, Director of the Center For Chaplaincy, and Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling at Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, NC. In those capacities, he provided administrative and academic leadership to the seminary. Walden’s service to the larger community included serving as a board member of the following: 1. Center for Faith and the Arts, 2. Civitan International – Salisbury Chapter, 3. Lee Street Theatre, 4. Military Officer Association of America (MOAA) – Salisbury Chapter.
Before his service at Hood Theological Seminary, Walden served as a Senior Advisor for a Department of Defense’s Program in Washington, DC. He provided advisement pertaining to trauma, strategies related to stress, spiritual enrichment, family support, managing conflict, problem solving, and effective communication. He also led retreats for personal growth, character development, team building, and ethical leadership. His areas of responsibilities included The Pentagon and The Defense Intelligence Agency. Before moving to Washington, DC, Walden served as University Chaplain and Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Claflin University.
Walden’s pastoral appointments include the following: 1. Senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Lakewood (CA), 2. Senior Pastor of Wilshire United Methodist Church (CA), 3. Associate Pastor of Hope United Methodist Church (MI), and 4. Associate Pastor of Orange United Methodist Church (NC).
He is the author of the following three books: 1. “Practical Theology for Church Diversity: A Guide for Clergy and Congregations”, 2. “Challenges Faced by Iraq War Reservists and Their Families: A Soul Care Approach for Chaplains and Pastors”, and 3. “A Pastor’s Poetry: Volume One.”
Walden and his wife Michelle have been married for over 17 years. Walden’s extensive experiences within the military, academic community, and congregations have prepared him to become the 16th President of Gammon Theological Seminary.
