Roving the halls and greeting students, Dr. Jeff Walkington has already become a familiar sight around Uni High. "Doc Walk" took over as director in mid-July, replacing the now-retired Dr. Steve Epperson. Jenny Cooke recently interviewed the central Illinois native, whose journey as an educator has included stops in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Chicago.

The new school year began this morning with an opening-day assembly in Uni Gym. Some 300 students greeted the school's new director, Dr. Jeffrey Walkington, who takes over from the retired Steve Epperson. Check out our first slideshow of the year as we look back at the beginning of the "Doc Walk" era.

Meet Jeffrey Walkington: Ph.D. in English, former public school teacher, longtime private school teacher and administrator, central Illinois native, father of two, current VP of academic affairs at the Latin School of Chicago — and Uni High's next director, effective July 16. Check inside for an interview with "Doc Walk."

Dr. Jeffrey Walkington, vice president of academic affairs at the Latin School of Chicago, has agreed to serve as Uni's next director. He will begin work on July 16, pending approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Provost Linda Katehi made the announcement this morning in an e-mail message.

The last of four director candidates to make the trip to Uni spent Thursday touring the school and meeting students, faculty, and others in the campus community. Jeffrey Walkington is vice president of academic affairs at the Latin School of Chicago and a native of the Bloomington-Normal area.