| James E. Cheek | |
|---|---|
 Cheek with Ronald Reagan in 1981 | |
| Born | James Edward Cheek (1932-12-04)December 4, 1932 Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | January 8, 2010(2010-01-08) (aged 77) Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Education |
|
| 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) was president of Howard University from 1968 to 1989. He was born in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina.
Howard University President (1968–1989)
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. Within days, both Atwater and Cheek resigned.
Personal life
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
- 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
| Presidents of Howard University | |
|---|---|
|
- 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