1991 Service Award Recipient
Rev. Walter D. Richards
Former Principal, Ricks Institute
Virginia, Liberia

Rev. Walter D. Richards was selected by the Awards and Recognition Committee to receive the Ricks Institute Alumni Association, U.S.A., Inc. award for Outstanding Services and Contributions to Ricks Institute because of his dedication to the School.

Rev. Richards was born in Clay-Ashland, Montserrado County, Liberia, on August 24, 1935. He received his elementary education from a private school operated by his father, and in 1958, he graduated from the W.D. Coleman High School, Clay-Ashland. In 1962, Rev. Richards received a BA from the University of Liberia. From the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary and the University of Pennsylvania, he received a Master of Divinity and a Master in Education Administration in 1970 & 1972 respectively.

In the Township of Clay-Ashland, Rev. Richards served as Town Clerk from 1956 - 1958. In the State Department he worked as Cadet from 1959 - 1962, and as an Accounts Clerk from 1963 - 1964. He is the founder and served as principal (1964 - 1968) of Student Union Institute, the first adult school established in Liberia. Our Honoree served as Executive Secretary to the Vice President of Liberia from 1964 - 1968, and was the International Program Advisor for the Opportunities Industrialization Center, USA, 1969 - 1971. Rev. Richards was responsible for the Youth Program of the White Rock Baptist Church, USA, 1969 - 1971.

Rev. Richards was principal of Ricks Institute from 1972 - 1977. In 1978 he joined the Ministry of Education as Assistant Minister for General Supervision, and was the Deputy Minister for Administration from 1980 - 1983. Vice Chairman, West African Examinations Council, 1980 - 1982; Chief Government Nominee to the West African Examinations Council, 1980 - 1982; Member, General Council, Baptist World Alliance - 1986 - 1990; Member, Evangelism & Education Commission, Baptist World Alliance 1991 to present; Vice President, Liberia Council of Churches, 1988 - 1990.

Our Honoree currently pastors the First Baptist Church of Clay-Ashland and Salem Baptist Church of Brewerville. He was the National Vice President of the Liberia Baptist Missionary & Educational Convention, Inc., 1981 - 1985, and President of LBM&EC from 1985 - 1989.

Rev. Richards is married and lives with his wife in Ghana. He has six children. He is Chairman, Liberia Opportunities Industrialization Center, Chairman, Clay-Ashland Development Committee (1977 - 1990); member, Rotary Club of Monrovia.