WCU Stories      May 8, 2024

By Chaz Lilly

Joe Walker, Western Carolina University’s associate vice chancellor for Facilities Management, has been given the 2024 Frank B. Turner award.

Each year, the North Carolina’s Department of Administration recognizes a state government career employee for his or her dedicated public service and for setting an example as a professional that works with the built environment. The Turner award is presented by AIA North Carolina, the North Carolina Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Consulting Engineers Council of North Carolina and the Professional Engineers Council of North Carolina at the annual State Construction Conference. 

Walker holds a master’s degree in business administration from WCU, an electrical engineering degree from Clemson University and a North Carolina Professional Engineer License.

In his career at WCU, he has managed an annual operating budget in excess of $28 million while supporting the university’s growth to more than 11,000 students. During his tenure,  Walker has  led the aggressive capital development and expansion of the university facilities totaling more than $800 million and served on the Chancellor’s Leadership Council.

Day-to-day, Walker manages facilities management operations,  modernization and maintenance of buildings, directs construction and renovation activities, oversees parking and transportation, and manages safety and risk management functions.

“I could not have led the campus transformation without the hard work of all facilities management employees,” Walker said. “Our team truly strives to make a positive first and lasting impression, whether it be for our potential future or current students, faculty, staff and our community at large.”

Under Walker’s watch, facilities management was also recognized for other projects.

The State Construction’s Excellence in Construction certificate of merit award went to WCU for The Rocks residence halls (Water Rock, Black Rock and Shining Rock), an award that salutes the most important new buildings that opened in the past year across the state.

The award noted that the building features unique lobby fireplaces and themes of forest, water and mountains. Vannoy Construction, which built the project, also had WCU alumni involved in the project. These were senior project manager T.J. Hollars, field engineer Nick Kiser and superintendents Stephen Stickle and Brian Teaster.

Another recognition came when the National Association for Industrial and Office Parks gave WCU a Project of the Year Award, which recognize outstanding commercial development in North and South Carolina. The award is presented annually during the NAIOP NC Conference in Pinehurst. 

In the industrial category, the award noted how the energy production facility project involved the installation of temporary utilities and facilities to ensure the ongoing operation of the current steam plant during construction. This was followed by targeted demolition of existing structures to make way for the construction of a new steam generation plant.