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Walter Mencer

Meet our 2017 Educators Hall of Honor Inductee: Walter Mencer

 
Each year, the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences celebrates and honors professionals who already have established themselves in the field of education and who help students who one day will follow in their footsteps. These Educators are inducted into the Educators Hall of Honor. This wall is located in the front entrance hall of the Claxton Education Building and stands as a proud reminder of their impact and legacy that inspires the next generation of Educators.

This year, we have inducted seven new members including: Alice Bratten, Amos Hatch, Debora Hatch, Walter Mencer, John Peters, Steve Reddick, and Robert Webb. We will be highlighting each one. Today, we would like to introduce you to Walter Mencer.

The Hall of Honor selection committee has chosen to induct several wonderful music educators over the last few years and Walter Mencer can now join them. Walter currently serves the Knox County Schools Music Department as Choral and Instrumental Music Specialist and Supervisor of Music. He received his Bachelors of Science degree in Music Education from Knoxville College in 1973, studied graduate courses at UT Knoxville in 1976, and earned his Master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University in 1994. Joining the Knox County School system in 1973, Walter served as the band director and head band director at several schools before he became assistant principal at West High School. In 1999, he became assistant to the Knox County Schools superintendent and in 2004, he was made Supervisor of Music.

Walter also serves his community in many ways and is proud to be Chair of the Education Outreach Committee and is a member of the Knoxville Opera Company board of directors. Walter is also Co-President of the Metropolitan Area School System and past chair of the Education Committee for One-hundred Black Men of Greater Knoxville. He is a member of many local, state, and national associations dedicated to music education and is past-president of the Tennessee Secondary Schools Band Directors Association. Other accomplishments include receiving over one-hundred “Excellent” and “Superior” ratings in Marching, Concert, and Solo performances by bands under his direction. Walter has been known to say this about the discipline he loves, “The study of music contributes to the quality of every student’s life in important ways. Through singing, composing, and playing instruments, students can express themselves creatively”.

Thank you Walter, for your dedication to music education.