Dr. Justin Walker, associate professor of Old Testament and Christian ministry in the Lee University School of Theology & Ministry (STM), has been selected as the 2026 Excellence in Scholarship Award recipient. He was honored during the university’s spring commencement earlier this month. 
 
In speaking of Walker’s work, associate dean of the STM, Dr. Bob Bayles, noted that “Dr. Walker’s contributions span a wide range of scholarly work, including peer-reviewed articles, book reviews, monographs, and edited volumes.”
 
The Excellence in Scholarship Award is one of three faculty excellence awards recognizing teaching, scholarship, and advising. They are considered the highest honors bestowed on Lee faculty each year. The winner of this award is chosen by the Faculty Scholarship and Research Committee. 
 
Walker joined Lee’s STM faculty in 2019 and has been named the next dean of the STM, effective this July.  Having also received the Excellence in Advising and Excellence in Teaching awards, Walker is one of only three individuals in the school’s history to earn all three honors.
 
“Pursuing research interests in my undergraduate and graduate work is what ultimately led me to my love for teaching, as I’ve taken great delight in sharing the fascinating things I’ve learned about biblical studies with students,” said Walker. “I’m honored to receive this award and am grateful for the many teachers, mentors, and faculty colleagues who continue to guide and inspire my work.”
 
Walker earned his Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Divinity, and Master of Theology from Emory University, and graduated from Lee with his Bachelor of Arts. During his graduate study, he also served as a pastor in Marietta, Georgia. Walker’s research focuses on biblical poetry, ancient Near Eastern iconography, and Old Testament theology. He is the author of “The Power of Images: The Poetics of Violence in Lamentations 2” and “Ancient Near Eastern Art,” and is currently writing the Lamentations volume for the Old Testament Theology Series through Cambridge University Press.