Odum Library Brings Willie Houseal to VSU Feb. 22

Dr. Willie Houseal discusses his life and experience as a local civil rights and historic preservation leader at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, in Valdosta State University’s Odum Library Auditorium. This Black History Month presentation is open to the public. Born and raised in Valdosta, Dr. Willie Houseal was instrumental in changing the way Valdosta city leaders are elected, moving the process from an at-large voting system to the district-based voting system in place today. He went on to serve the residents of District 1 on the Valdosta City Council from 1985 to 1989, where he helped facilitate changes to the city’s hiring practices, as well as the city’s parks, recreation, and beautification efforts.

VALDOSTA — Dr. Willie Houseal discusses his life and experience as a local civil rights and historic preservation leader at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, in Valdosta State University’s Odum Library Auditorium. This Black History Month presentation is open to the public.

Born and raised in Valdosta, Houseal was instrumental in changing the way Valdosta city leaders are elected, moving the process from an at-large voting system to the district-based voting system in place today. He went on to serve the residents of District 1 on the Valdosta City Council from 1985 to 1989, where he helped facilitate changes to the city’s hiring practices, as well as the city’s parks, recreation, and beautification efforts.

Houseal graduated from Pinevale High School and served more than 10 years in the United States Air Force, including one year in Vietnam. He continued his education through the doctoral level at various institutions of higher education, including VSU, where he earned a Master of Education and an Education Specialist, both in the area of educational administration and supervision.

He went on to serve nearly three decades in public education as a teacher and tutor with Lowndes County Schools and as an administrator with Brooks County Schools, where he retired as principal of North Brooks Elementary School in 2002. He then began working as an adjunct professor of human resource management at Park University and was later appointed interim director for the Moody Air Force Base campus’s Center for Distance Learning. 

Houseal is most proud of every opportunity he has had to mentor children, teens, and young adults. He enjoys helping community youth develop the skills needed to unlock their full potential and embrace life with confidence and resilience. His two books — “The Power of Self-Esteem: Using It All to Get It All” and “The Power of Positive Self-Esteem: Developing, Implementing, and Sustaining” — were inspired by his commitment to helping others live their best life.

Houseal continues to lead efforts to preserve the history of Southside Valdosta and Pinevale High School and recently partnered with VSU Archives and Special Collections’ new Community Archives Digitization, Access, and Preservation Partnership project, which is working to make South Georgia history more accessible to everyone.

The Georgia House of Representatives recognized Houseal for outstanding community service in March 2022. That same month the City of Valdosta named Willie Houseal Drive in honor of his lasting impact on the community.

Houseal’s presentation is part of VSU’s Black History Month activities. A full list of events may be found at https://www.valdosta.edu/diversity/black-history-month.php.