WASHINGTON — James E. Cheek, who served as Howard University’s president for 20 years and oversaw major expansions at the school, has died. He was 77.
University spokesman Ron Harris said Cheek died Friday at a hospital in Greensboro, N.C. Cheek died after a long illness, said Tanya Wiley, spokeswoman for Shaw University where Cheek earlier served as president.
Cheek presided over the historically Black Howard University from 1968 to 1989. During that time, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, in 1983.
“Dr. Cheek’s vision and passion for the university and his view of Howard as a national treasure led to bold action, which eventually resulted in a dramatic boost in our budget with increased federal support,” current Howard University President Sidney Ribeau said in a statement.
