Jaclyn Walters, vice president for finance and administration, was recognized as a 12 Under 40 recipient in November 2020. Here is the Tribune-Star special section that featured Walters.
Dottie L. King, Ph.D., president of SMWC, shared her praise for her colleague.
“We are blessed to have Jaclyn on Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College cabinet,” King said. “She is an asset to the institution and community. As a mother herself, Jaclyn always puts our students first and upholds the values established by Saint Mother Theodore Guerin. From overseeing the College’s budget to visiting the construction site for the new residential and dining hall, Jaclyn is a significant part of SMWC. I’m glad she is being recognized for her outstanding work.”
By Leah Singer, For the Tribune-Star
Jaclyn Walters has only lived in Terre Haute for five years, but nowhere else she’s lived has felt more like home that this community that she’s come to love.
“I can’t point to a specific thing that’s made me feel like this is home,” said Walters. “But for some reason, it’s like my soul just needed Indiana. I love the people, the community, the size; it’s not too small and not too big either. It feels like home and I haven’t had that feeling before.”
Walters was born and raised a Southerner, having grown up in Savannah and graduated from Georgia Southern University with a dual degree in geography and accounting. She and her husband lived in Nashville, Tennessee, for several years where she worked as director of finance for a local Jewish Community Center.
They moved to Terre Haute (her husband is from Sullivan County) with their then 4-year-old son, Mattox, in tow. She is now mom of 20-month-old Braxton.
Not long after moving to Terre Haute, Walters joined Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and now serves as the vice president for finance and administration. In her role, she handles all the finances and accounting for the college. She oversees the business office, facilities, security, conference and events, and human resources.
To have people see your efforts and believe that you embody what this award represents in the community is deeply meaningful.
While Walters never set out to join a university, she is passionate about the work she does and the people that make up her days. “I love my colleagues, and Dr. [Dottie] King’s leadership for me has been transformational,” said Walters.
“We’re a team and that’s why we work so well. I just really enjoy coming to work every day. I enjoy the challenges and the students.”
When she is not working, Walters serves on the board as treasurer for the Children’s Museum of Terre Haute. She and her family stay very busy with baseball, as her son, Mattox, plays for a travelling baseball team.
She enjoys the outdoor life, and her family owns a boat and tries to go out fishing as much as possible. Walters is also working toward earning her Ph.D. in economic policy from Liberty University.
Walters believes it’s her children and the future that motivates her to give back to the community. “I want there to be opportunities for my children,” she said. “I want them to grow and for Terre Haute to be the best it can be for them.” She admits to being shocked to receive the 12 Under 40 award, as she believes, there more deserving individuals helping the Wabash Valley grow and thrive. “I’m humbled honestly, because I don’t feel like I do anything out of the ordinary,” she said. “I just love Terre Haute.”