James E. Cheek
James E. Cheek | |
|---|---|
 Cheek with Ronald Reagan in 1981 | |
| Born | James Edward Cheek December 4, 1932 |
| Died | January 8, 2010 (aged 77) |
| Education |
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| Occupation(s) | educator, scholar, theologian, public speaker, humanitarian |
| Years active | 1958–2010 |
| Spouse | Celestine (m. 1958) |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Presidential Medal of Freedom |
James Edward Cheek (December 4, 1932 – January 8, 2010)[1] was president of Howard University from 1968 to 1989. He was born in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina.
Howard University President (1968–1989)
[edit]In 1989, Cheek appointed Republican National Committee Chairman Lee Atwater as a member of the Howard University Board of Trustees. Students rose up in protest against Atwater's appointment, disrupting Howard's 122nd anniversary celebrations, and eventually occupied the university's administration building.[2] Within days, both Atwater and Cheek resigned.
Personal life
[edit]Cheek was married to the former Celestine Williams, and had two children. He died on January 8, 2010, from complications of coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
References
[edit]- ^ Martin, Douglas (January 21, 2010). "James E. Cheek, Forceful University President, Dies at 77". The New York Times. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
- ^ Stanley, Alessandra; Jacob V. Lamar (March 20, 1989). "Saying No to Lee Atwater". Time. Time Warner. Archived from the original on November 6, 2007.
External links
[edit]| International | |
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| National | |
Categories:
- 1932 births
- 2010 deaths
- American theologians
- Presidents of Howard University
- African-American United States Air Force personnel
- Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients
- United States Air Force personnel of the Korean War
- Shaw University alumni
- Drew University alumni
- Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School faculty
- People from Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina
- Presidents of Shaw University