James E. Cheek
James E. Cheek was a prominent educator and leader in American higher education, particularly known for his significant contributions to historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Born on December 4, 1932, in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, Cheek faced early adversity, including a diagnosis of cataracts that led him to develop a remarkable photographic memory. He became a licensed Baptist minister by age fifteen and later served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Cheek earned degrees from Shaw University, Colgate Rochester Divinity School, and Drew University, ultimately achieving a doctorate in classical theology.
In 1963, he became president of Shaw University, where he successfully revitalized the institution, eliminating its debts and significantly increasing enrollment. This success paved the way for his appointment as president of Howard University in 1968, where he oversaw a major expansion in student body, academic programs, and campus facilities. Cheek's presidency at Howard led to the awarding of 33,000 degrees over twenty years and substantial growth in the university's budget. He was recognized for his contributions to education with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1983. Cheek's later career included board positions at various universities and advising on HBCU matters. He passed away in 2010, leaving behind a legacy of educational advancement and advocacy for black institutions.
On this Page
Subject Terms
James E. Cheek
Educator
- Born: December 4, 1932
- Birthplace: Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina
- Died: January 8, 2010
- Place of death: Greensboro, North Carolina
Cheek served as president of Howard University, a historically black institution, for twenty years and was responsible for the growth of its infrastructure, financial independence, and academic advancement.
Early Life
James Edward Cheek faced hardship and struggle from a very young age. He was born on December 4, 1932, in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, to Lee Ella Williams Cheek, a schoolteacher, and the Reverend King Virgil Cheek, an insurance salesman. Cheek was only five years old in 1937 when a doctor determined that he had cataracts in both eyes and would likely go blind by age fifteen. At the time, doctors had no method for replacing the eye’s lens after removing cataracts, meaning that even with surgery, Cheek would still be blind. To complete his work at school, Cheek had to walk up to the blackboard, memorize everything the teacher had written, return to his seat, and then finish his work. As a result, he developed what many would call a photographic memory.
Because Cheek believed he would be blind by age fifteen, he read many classical works of literature by age ten, using the disassembled top of a flashlight as a magnifying glass. Advancements in optical technology during World War II eventually allowed doctors to operate on his eyes and provide him with extremely thick glasses, but his early struggles gave Cheek resilience and a strong will to learn that would carry him throughout the rest of his life.
In 1941, Cheek’s family moved to Greensboro, North Carolina, and by age fifteen, he already had become a licensed Baptist minister. He was officially ordained at age seventeen. When the Korean War started, Cheek was drafted into the Army but instead voluntarily enlisted in the Air Force. Through his parents’ political connections, he was assigned to a base in Alaska rather than combat in Korea.
After completing his duty with the Air Force, Cheek received a degree in sociology and history from Shaw University in 1955. In 1958, he earned a master of divinity degree from Colgate Rochester Divinity School, and in 1962, he received a doctorate in classical theology from Drew University.
Life’s Work
After finishing his doctoral work, Cheek held faculty positions at Drew Theological School, Union Junior College, and Virginia University. At only thirty years old, Cheek was appointed president of Shaw University in 1963. At the time, Shaw was in debt and in danger of being closed.
Starting with only one hundred dollars in the bank, Cheek reversed Shaw’s fortunes. Within six months, the university was out of debt and in active development, increasing student enrollment and planning an expansion. Cheek’s success at Shaw garnered national media attention and led to Howard University’s interest in hiring him.
In 1968, Cheek was appointed president of Howard University. During his presidency, Howard’s student population increased by thirty-five hundred. When Cheek arrived, the university had eleven schools and colleges; he increased that number to eighteen and added nine institutes and research centers. With Cheek’s help, Howard improved its academic programs, hired more faculty, and amassed a library of nearly two million volumes.
Cheek also was motivated to expand Howard’s small campus in Washington, D.C., building a hospital, cancer center, sickle cell disease facility, university center, plaza, television and radio stations, the Howard Inn Hotel, an animal research lab, and new buildings for the law, divinity, and business schools, In 1972, Cheek distributed a report showing that predominantly white universities received more federal funding than their historically black counterparts of equal size, student population, and academics. The government subsequently granted Howard federal funding that helped further his expansion plans.
Over the course of Cheek’s twenty-year presidency, Howard awarded thirty-three thousand degrees, which was equal to the number of degrees awarded over the previous one hundred years. Howard’s budget grew from $43 million to $417 million. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan honored Cheek with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States, for his work in education.
In 1989, Cheek ended his career at Howard amid controversy over his appointment of Republican National Committee chairman Lee Atwater as a member of Howard’s board of trustees. Widespread student protests led Cheek to resign his position. Facing financial troubles from problematic investments, he would later lose much of the fortune he had amassed.
Cheek went on to serve on the boards of numerous universities and was appointed to numerous government positions, including the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Cheek died in 2010 at the age of seventy-seven in Greensboro. He was survived by his wife of fifty-six years, Celestine, their two children, and two grandchildren.
Significance
Cheek demonstrated his love of education through an unwavering commitment to the betterment of historically black colleges and universities. His legacy at Shaw University and Howard University was visible in the physical development of their campuses and the success of thousands of students.
Bibliography
“Howard U. Purchases Black D.C. Hotel for $1.3 Million.” Jet 60, no. 2 (March 26, 1981): 5. Brief news report on Cheek’s decision to purchase a hotel for Howard University.
“Howard’s Cheek to End 20-Year Career There to Take New Ambassadorship.” Jet 76, no. 3 (April 24, 1989): 4-5. Describes Cheek’s accomplishments at Howard and his plans after leaving.
Martin, Douglas. “James E. Cheek, Forceful University President, Dies at 77.” The New York Times, January 21, 2010. This obituary summarizes Cheek’s career and importance to Howard University.
Schudel, Matt. “Howard President’s Tenure Marked by Turmoil.” The Washington Post, January 20, 2010. Published soon after his death, this is a look back at Cheek’s presidency at Howard and the turmoil that surrounded it.