James Edward Cheek, Sr., peacefully departed this life on January 8, 2010, in Greensboro, North Carolina at the age of 77. He was a visionary, a master builder, a man whose voice spoke volumes and whose courage changed lives.
A VOICE PREPARING TO LEAD
He was born December 4, 1932, in Roanoke Rapids, N.C. In 1941 his family moved to Greensboro.
Even at an early age, James Cheek answered his calling - first joining the Providence Baptist Church where he was baptized at the age of eight and soon after going into the ministry. He was licensed at the age of 13 and ordained at 17.In the public schools of Greensboro, at Dudley High School, he was an honor student, the Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper and captain of the debating team. In his senior year, he transferred to Immanuel Lutheran College High School, where he completed his secondary education. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and history from Shaw University in 1955, a Master of Divinity (with honors) from Colgate Rochester Divinity School in 1958 and the Doctor of Philosophy degree from Drew University in 1962.His preparation continued when he enlisted and served in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1951. As a freshman at Shaw, he met Celestine Juanita Williams of Newton Grove, N.C. They married on June 14, 1953.
A VOICE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
He once said, "...that while man has decided that only free men shall be educated, God has decreed that only the educated shall be truly free." Convinced of the value of education and committed to its ideals, James Cheek followed where the path led. He was appointed a Colgate Rochester Graduate Fellow at Colgate, a Rockefeller Doctoral Fellow and a Lily Foundation Fellow at Drew University. Dr. Cheek served as an Assistant Professor of New Testament and Historical Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia. His other teaching experiences included serving as Teaching Fellow at Drew Theological School, an Instructor in Western History at Union Junior College in Cranford, New Jersey and a Visiting Instructor in Western History at Upsala College in East Orange, New Jersey. In 1963, he returned to his alma mater Shaw University, as President, and remained there until 1969. At the age of 30 he had become one of the youngest college/university presidents in the country. Shaw was on the verge of bankruptcy and Dr. Cheek rescued it from insolvency. He developed an innovative curriculum and laid the foundations for Shaw's new and dynamic future. He was elected President of Howard University in 1969, where he remained until he retired in 1989, becoming the second-longest-serving President in the University's history. His leadership at Howard promoted extraordinary growth and development. During his tenure, graduate and undergraduate programs expanded and the University launched two groundbreaking broadcast facilities -- commercial radio station WHUR-FM and the first Black-owned PBS station WHMM (later WHUT-TV). It also built the 500-bed Howard University Hospital and the undergraduate library, established a School of Business, increased the University's endowment, bought land and added two new campuses for its School of Divinity and School of Law. In the process, James Cheek touched the lives of thousands.
As much as education was a passion for him, service was a mantra. The result was his service as a member of the Board of Trustees of several colleges and universities, including the University of Miami, Drew University and Colgate Rochester Divinity School. He held several United States Presidential appointments including The Board of Foreign Scholarships (Fulbright Scholars), National Advisory Council of the Peace Corps, The President's Commission on Campus Unrest (known as the "Scranton Commission"), Commission on Selection of White House Fellows, The United Nations Educational Social and Cultural Commission (UNESCO) and The President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Chairman) from 1990 to 1993.Dr. Cheek served on the Board of Directors of the GEICO Corporation from 1986 to 1995.Awarded honorary degrees from nineteen colleges and universities, he was named "WASHINGTONIAN OF THE YEAR" in 1980. His work in education, community and human relations earned more than one hundred citations and plaques from national and international organizations, societies, fraternities and governments. On February 23, 1983, President Ronald Reagan awarded Dr. Cheek the "PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM," the nation's highest civilian award. At the age of 50, he became one of the youngest persons ever to receive this coveted national honor. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa (national honor scholastic society) and the Alpha Phi Alpha social fraternity. Following his retirement from the presidency of Howard he served as the Secretary of Education in the US Virgin Islands.
A VOICE CALLED HOME
On January 8, when James Cheek died, a voice was stilled. It had been a voice that had affirmed the identities of many, led the call for change in education, and demanded a place for those left out. Many lives have been touched as a result.
Dr. Cheek is survived by his wife Celestine Williams Cheek, son James E. Cheek Jr. (Samantha), daughter Dr. Janet Elizabeth Cheek, granddaughter Haleema Abdul Wahid Cheek, grandson James Ousman Abdur-Rahman Cheek, granddaughter Helen Cheek and grandson Lewis Hussein Cheek, one sister Helen Johnson (Robert), one brother, King V. Cheek Jr. (Annette) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.
Perry J. Brown Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Published in News Record from January 13 to January 14, 2010
A VOICE PREPARING TO LEAD
He was born December 4, 1932, in Roanoke Rapids, N.C. In 1941 his family moved to Greensboro.
Even at an early age, James Cheek answered his calling - first joining the Providence Baptist Church where he was baptized at the age of eight and soon after going into the ministry. He was licensed at the age of 13 and ordained at 17.In the public schools of Greensboro, at Dudley High School, he was an honor student, the Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper and captain of the debating team. In his senior year, he transferred to Immanuel Lutheran College High School, where he completed his secondary education. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and history from Shaw University in 1955, a Master of Divinity (with honors) from Colgate Rochester Divinity School in 1958 and the Doctor of Philosophy degree from Drew University in 1962.His preparation continued when he enlisted and served in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1951. As a freshman at Shaw, he met Celestine Juanita Williams of Newton Grove, N.C. They married on June 14, 1953.
A VOICE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
He once said, "...that while man has decided that only free men shall be educated, God has decreed that only the educated shall be truly free." Convinced of the value of education and committed to its ideals, James Cheek followed where the path led. He was appointed a Colgate Rochester Graduate Fellow at Colgate, a Rockefeller Doctoral Fellow and a Lily Foundation Fellow at Drew University. Dr. Cheek served as an Assistant Professor of New Testament and Historical Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia. His other teaching experiences included serving as Teaching Fellow at Drew Theological School, an Instructor in Western History at Union Junior College in Cranford, New Jersey and a Visiting Instructor in Western History at Upsala College in East Orange, New Jersey. In 1963, he returned to his alma mater Shaw University, as President, and remained there until 1969. At the age of 30 he had become one of the youngest college/university presidents in the country. Shaw was on the verge of bankruptcy and Dr. Cheek rescued it from insolvency. He developed an innovative curriculum and laid the foundations for Shaw's new and dynamic future. He was elected President of Howard University in 1969, where he remained until he retired in 1989, becoming the second-longest-serving President in the University's history. His leadership at Howard promoted extraordinary growth and development. During his tenure, graduate and undergraduate programs expanded and the University launched two groundbreaking broadcast facilities -- commercial radio station WHUR-FM and the first Black-owned PBS station WHMM (later WHUT-TV). It also built the 500-bed Howard University Hospital and the undergraduate library, established a School of Business, increased the University's endowment, bought land and added two new campuses for its School of Divinity and School of Law. In the process, James Cheek touched the lives of thousands.
As much as education was a passion for him, service was a mantra. The result was his service as a member of the Board of Trustees of several colleges and universities, including the University of Miami, Drew University and Colgate Rochester Divinity School. He held several United States Presidential appointments including The Board of Foreign Scholarships (Fulbright Scholars), National Advisory Council of the Peace Corps, The President's Commission on Campus Unrest (known as the "Scranton Commission"), Commission on Selection of White House Fellows, The United Nations Educational Social and Cultural Commission (UNESCO) and The President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Chairman) from 1990 to 1993.Dr. Cheek served on the Board of Directors of the GEICO Corporation from 1986 to 1995.Awarded honorary degrees from nineteen colleges and universities, he was named "WASHINGTONIAN OF THE YEAR" in 1980. His work in education, community and human relations earned more than one hundred citations and plaques from national and international organizations, societies, fraternities and governments. On February 23, 1983, President Ronald Reagan awarded Dr. Cheek the "PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM," the nation's highest civilian award. At the age of 50, he became one of the youngest persons ever to receive this coveted national honor. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa (national honor scholastic society) and the Alpha Phi Alpha social fraternity. Following his retirement from the presidency of Howard he served as the Secretary of Education in the US Virgin Islands.
A VOICE CALLED HOME
On January 8, when James Cheek died, a voice was stilled. It had been a voice that had affirmed the identities of many, led the call for change in education, and demanded a place for those left out. Many lives have been touched as a result.
Dr. Cheek is survived by his wife Celestine Williams Cheek, son James E. Cheek Jr. (Samantha), daughter Dr. Janet Elizabeth Cheek, granddaughter Haleema Abdul Wahid Cheek, grandson James Ousman Abdur-Rahman Cheek, granddaughter Helen Cheek and grandson Lewis Hussein Cheek, one sister Helen Johnson (Robert), one brother, King V. Cheek Jr. (Annette) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.
Perry J. Brown Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Published in News Record from January 13 to January 14, 2010
James Edward Cheek, Sr., peacefully departed this life on January 8, 2010, in Greensboro, North Carolina at the age of 77. He was a visionary, a master builder, a man whose voice spoke volumes and whose courage changed lives.
A VOICE PREPARING TO LEAD
He was born December 4, 1932, in Roanoke Rapids, N.C. In 1941 his family moved to Greensboro.
Even at an early age, James Cheek answered his calling - first joining the Providence Baptist Church where he was baptized at the age of eight and soon after going into the ministry. He was licensed at the age of 13 and ordained at 17.In the public schools of Greensboro, at Dudley High School, he was an honor student, the Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper and captain of the debating team. In his senior year, he transferred to Immanuel Lutheran College High School, where he completed his secondary education. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and history from Shaw University in 1955, a Master of Divinity (with honors) from Colgate Rochester Divinity School in 1958 and the Doctor of Philosophy degree from Drew University in 1962.His preparation continued when he enlisted and served in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1951. As a freshman at Shaw, he met Celestine Juanita Williams of Newton Grove, N.C. They married on June 14, 1953.
A VOICE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
He once said, "...that while man has decided that only free men shall be educated, God has decreed that only the educated shall be truly free." Convinced of the value of education and committed to its ideals, James Cheek followed where the path led. He was appointed a Colgate Rochester Graduate Fellow at Colgate, a Rockefeller Doctoral Fellow and a Lily Foundation Fellow at Drew University. Dr. Cheek served as an Assistant Professor of New Testament and Historical Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia. His other teaching experiences included serving as Teaching Fellow at Drew Theological School, an Instructor in Western History at Union Junior College in Cranford, New Jersey and a Visiting Instructor in Western History at Upsala College in East Orange, New Jersey. In 1963, he returned to his alma mater Shaw University, as President, and remained there until 1969. At the age of 30 he had become one of the youngest college/university presidents in the country. Shaw was on the verge of bankruptcy and Dr. Cheek rescued it from insolvency. He developed an innovative curriculum and laid the foundations for Shaw's new and dynamic future. He was elected President of Howard University in 1969, where he remained until he retired in 1989, becoming the second-longest-serving President in the University's history. His leadership at Howard promoted extraordinary growth and development. During his tenure, graduate and undergraduate programs expanded and the University launched two groundbreaking broadcast facilities -- commercial radio station WHUR-FM and the first Black-owned PBS station WHMM (later WHUT-TV). It also built the 500-bed Howard University Hospital and the undergraduate library, established a School of Business, increased the University's endowment, bought land and added two new campuses for its School of Divinity and School of Law. In the process, James Cheek touched the lives of thousands.
As much as education was a passion for him, service was a mantra. The result was his service as a member of the Board of Trustees of several colleges and universities, including the University of Miami, Drew University and Colgate Rochester Divinity School. He held several United States Presidential appointments including The Board of Foreign Scholarships (Fulbright Scholars), National Advisory Council of the Peace Corps, The President's Commission on Campus Unrest (known as the "Scranton Commission"), Commission on Selection of White House Fellows, The United Nations Educational Social and Cultural Commission (UNESCO) and The President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Chairman) from 1990 to 1993.Dr. Cheek served on the Board of Directors of the GEICO Corporation from 1986 to 1995.Awarded honorary degrees from nineteen colleges and universities, he was named "WASHINGTONIAN OF THE YEAR" in 1980. His work in education, community and human relations earned more than one hundred citations and plaques from national and international organizations, societies, fraternities and governments. On February 23, 1983, President Ronald Reagan awarded Dr. Cheek the "PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM," the nation's highest civilian award. At the age of 50, he became one of the youngest persons ever to receive this coveted national honor. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa (national honor scholastic society) and the Alpha Phi Alpha social fraternity. Following his retirement from the presidency of Howard he served as the Secretary of Education in the US Virgin Islands.
A VOICE CALLED HOME
On January 8, when James Cheek died, a voice was stilled. It had been a voice that had affirmed the identities of many, led the call for change in education, and demanded a place for those left out. Many lives have been touched as a result.
Dr. Cheek is survived by his wife Celestine Williams Cheek, son James E. Cheek Jr. (Samantha), daughter Dr. Janet Elizabeth Cheek, granddaughter Haleema Abdul Wahid Cheek, grandson James Ousman Abdur-Rahman Cheek, granddaughter Helen Cheek and grandson Lewis Hussein Cheek, one sister Helen Johnson (Robert), one brother, King V. Cheek Jr. (Annette) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.
Perry J. Brown Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Published in News Record from January 13 to January 14, 2010
A VOICE PREPARING TO LEAD
He was born December 4, 1932, in Roanoke Rapids, N.C. In 1941 his family moved to Greensboro.
Even at an early age, James Cheek answered his calling - first joining the Providence Baptist Church where he was baptized at the age of eight and soon after going into the ministry. He was licensed at the age of 13 and ordained at 17.In the public schools of Greensboro, at Dudley High School, he was an honor student, the Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper and captain of the debating team. In his senior year, he transferred to Immanuel Lutheran College High School, where he completed his secondary education. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and history from Shaw University in 1955, a Master of Divinity (with honors) from Colgate Rochester Divinity School in 1958 and the Doctor of Philosophy degree from Drew University in 1962.His preparation continued when he enlisted and served in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1951. As a freshman at Shaw, he met Celestine Juanita Williams of Newton Grove, N.C. They married on June 14, 1953.
A VOICE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
He once said, "...that while man has decided that only free men shall be educated, God has decreed that only the educated shall be truly free." Convinced of the value of education and committed to its ideals, James Cheek followed where the path led. He was appointed a Colgate Rochester Graduate Fellow at Colgate, a Rockefeller Doctoral Fellow and a Lily Foundation Fellow at Drew University. Dr. Cheek served as an Assistant Professor of New Testament and Historical Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia. His other teaching experiences included serving as Teaching Fellow at Drew Theological School, an Instructor in Western History at Union Junior College in Cranford, New Jersey and a Visiting Instructor in Western History at Upsala College in East Orange, New Jersey. In 1963, he returned to his alma mater Shaw University, as President, and remained there until 1969. At the age of 30 he had become one of the youngest college/university presidents in the country. Shaw was on the verge of bankruptcy and Dr. Cheek rescued it from insolvency. He developed an innovative curriculum and laid the foundations for Shaw's new and dynamic future. He was elected President of Howard University in 1969, where he remained until he retired in 1989, becoming the second-longest-serving President in the University's history. His leadership at Howard promoted extraordinary growth and development. During his tenure, graduate and undergraduate programs expanded and the University launched two groundbreaking broadcast facilities -- commercial radio station WHUR-FM and the first Black-owned PBS station WHMM (later WHUT-TV). It also built the 500-bed Howard University Hospital and the undergraduate library, established a School of Business, increased the University's endowment, bought land and added two new campuses for its School of Divinity and School of Law. In the process, James Cheek touched the lives of thousands.
As much as education was a passion for him, service was a mantra. The result was his service as a member of the Board of Trustees of several colleges and universities, including the University of Miami, Drew University and Colgate Rochester Divinity School. He held several United States Presidential appointments including The Board of Foreign Scholarships (Fulbright Scholars), National Advisory Council of the Peace Corps, The President's Commission on Campus Unrest (known as the "Scranton Commission"), Commission on Selection of White House Fellows, The United Nations Educational Social and Cultural Commission (UNESCO) and The President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Chairman) from 1990 to 1993.Dr. Cheek served on the Board of Directors of the GEICO Corporation from 1986 to 1995.Awarded honorary degrees from nineteen colleges and universities, he was named "WASHINGTONIAN OF THE YEAR" in 1980. His work in education, community and human relations earned more than one hundred citations and plaques from national and international organizations, societies, fraternities and governments. On February 23, 1983, President Ronald Reagan awarded Dr. Cheek the "PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM," the nation's highest civilian award. At the age of 50, he became one of the youngest persons ever to receive this coveted national honor. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa (national honor scholastic society) and the Alpha Phi Alpha social fraternity. Following his retirement from the presidency of Howard he served as the Secretary of Education in the US Virgin Islands.
A VOICE CALLED HOME
On January 8, when James Cheek died, a voice was stilled. It had been a voice that had affirmed the identities of many, led the call for change in education, and demanded a place for those left out. Many lives have been touched as a result.
Dr. Cheek is survived by his wife Celestine Williams Cheek, son James E. Cheek Jr. (Samantha), daughter Dr. Janet Elizabeth Cheek, granddaughter Haleema Abdul Wahid Cheek, grandson James Ousman Abdur-Rahman Cheek, granddaughter Helen Cheek and grandson Lewis Hussein Cheek, one sister Helen Johnson (Robert), one brother, King V. Cheek Jr. (Annette) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.
Perry J. Brown Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Published in News Record from January 13 to January 14, 2010
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