# 13 REMEMBERING JAMES E. CHEEK, SR. AS AN EDUCATOR AND MY SCHOOL/ROOM MATE

# 13 REMEMBERING JAMES E. CHEEK, SR.

AS

AN EDUCATOR AND MY SCHOOL/ROOM MATE 

By

Vernon M. Herron


 

The recent passing of the late Dr. James Edward Cheek, Sr. on 8 January 2010 at the age 77 was grievous and sorrowful. Even though the President Emeritus of Howard University had been ill for some time, he passed from complications of coronary artery and pulmonary diseases.

At the ceremony of Christian burial, there was a “celebration of Life and Legacy” of Dr. Cheek. His biography shows his professorship at Virginia Union in Richmond, Virginia, his returning to his alma mater, Shaw University as the youngest president and remained there until 1969. For two decades, Dr. Cheek served as President of Howard University, (1969-1989) which “experienced immense growth and modernization with the student population increasing and the number of schools, colleges, research programs and faculty expanding.”


The biographers, in an erudite manner, described the life and legacy of Dr. Cheek but lacking in portraying the ‘human interest’ side of my school and room mate. This I can do. You see, even though I am/was four years older than “Cheek.” (That is the name I used for him at Shaw) I was a sophomore when he entered the University. Cheek was my room mate along with two other fellows. We four had a ritual often followed at night to see who could put another “on the floor.” What fun we had.

The time piece for our dormitory room was Cheek’s wristwatch, a possession of his from high school days. When I finished Shaw ahead of the others, Cheek gave to me that “old” watch. Many years later after Cheek had become President of Howard University; we met at an Alpha Phi Alpha Convention. Sporting a gold medallion Alpha sun burst, Cheek boldly asked for that “neck piece” as a gift. Memories would not permit refusal.


Another episode was a debate I had with cheek as to why he dropped one girl friend for the one he married. Needless to say that “Cheek” won the debate.


Life has many destinies. Of the four room mates, one became a college programmer, one became a businessman, one became a College President (Cheek) and one became a pastor (me). As pastor of a Baptist Church in a Mid-Western town, President Cheek appeared as a guest speaker. This setting gave me the opportunity to tell Cheek a story/joke circulating about him.—


      When Cheek pastored a small church in NC, the deacon would awake him
      on Sunday mornings announcing that the pastor was over sleeping
      and that it would soon be time to begin the service.
      It is said that Cheek became tired of being disturbed, so he resigned the
      Pastorate went back to school and finally became a college president.


Cheek vehemently denied the story but we had fun telling it.

The last point is on a more serious note. Of the four original room mates, three have passed, and like Job’s messenger, “I only am…alone to tell” the ending. (Job 1:15)

The death of my three room mates and Thomas O. Chisholm make me conscious of my own mortality.

AND THEN ETERNITY 

A few more years to sow and reap,

A few more years to smile and weep,

A few more years to wake and sleep,

And then – eternity! 

A few more miles for weary feet,

A few more trails yet to meet,

A few more lessons to complete,

And then – eternity! 

A little while to watch and pray,

To labor while ‘tis called “Today,”

Prepare for Heaven while we may,

And then – eternity! 

Our life, how soon it will be past!

The golden hours are going fast,

This very day may be our last!

And then – eternity! 

As fades the mist before the sun,

As song that dies when just begun,

So passes life, -so quickly gone,

And then- eternity!