George Albert Owens
George Albert Owens | |
|---|---|
| 8th President of Tougaloo College (acting) | |
| In office September 1964 – 1965 | |
| Preceded by | Adam Daniel Beittel |
| 9th President of Tougaloo College | |
| In office 1966–1984 | |
| Succeeded by | Herman Blake |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 9, 1919 Bolton, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | December 21, 2003 |
| Alma mater | Tougaloo College, Columbia University |
| Occupation | Academic administrator, college president |
George Albert Owens (February 9, 1919 – December 21, 2003) was an American academic administrator and college president. He served as the 9th president of Tougaloo College in Mississippi serving from 1966 to 1984.[1] He was the college's first African American president.[2] He succeeded Adam D. Beittel who was removed from office after supporting civil rights activists.[3][4] While in office he increased funding and campus housing.[5]
Biography[edit]
He was born in Bolton, Mississippi, on February 9, 1919, to sharecropping parents and he graduated from Jackson College High School.[6] He graduated from Tougaloo College and Columbia University.[1] He had captained the school's football team. He worked as its business manager.[7]
The New York Times quoted him in a story about the college in 1970 saying "Institutions like ours have the responsibility to identify the strengths of our students".[8] His wife's name was Ruth and she died before him.[5] The college's gymnasium was named for them.[9][10] U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams visited the health and wellness center named for him on the occasion of its 20th anniversary.[11]
He received threats as college president, as well as other staff, and his home on the college campus was bombed.[12]
Owens died on December 21, 2003, after suffering with Parkinson's disease. His two children survived him.[5][13]
Further reading[edit]
Inauguration of George A. Owens as President of Tougaloo College, April 21, 1966, by Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, Mississippi 1966[14]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Inventory of the Office of the President Records: George A. Owens". Mississippi Digital Library. 2005.
- ^ Mitchell, Martha (1993). "Tougaloo College". Encyclopedia Brunoniana. Brown University.
- ^ Shugana, Williams (July 11, 2017). "Tougaloo College". Mississippi Encyclopedia. Center for Study of Southern Culture. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
- ^ https://aquila.usm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1263&context=dissertations
- ^ a b c "Tougaloo's 1st black president dies at 84". Clarion-Ledger. 22 December 2003. p. 13. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ Sewell, George Alexander; Dwight, Margaret L. (January 20, 2012). Mississippi Black History Makers. Univ. Press of Mississippi. ISBN 9781617034282 – via Google Books.
- ^ Lowe, Maria (2009). ""Sowing the Seeds of Discontent": Tougaloo College's Social Science Forums as a Prefigurative Movement Free Space, 1952-1964". Journal of Black Studies. 39 (6): 865–887. doi:10.1177/0021934707305401. JSTOR 40282604. S2CID 143545745 – via JSTOR.
- ^ Johnson, Thomas A. (July 25, 1970). "Poverty Is a Boast at Tougaloo College". The New York Times.
- ^ "SR 32 (As Adopted by Senate) - 1999 Regular Session". billstatus.ls.state.ms.us.
- ^ "Owens Health and Wellness Center | Tougaloo College". www.tougaloo.edu.
- ^ "U. S. Surgeon General visits Tougaloo". www.wlbt.com.
- ^ "Late Dr. Owens inspiration to many". Clarion-Ledger. 7 January 2004. p. 8. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ "George Owens - Educator served as trailblazer". Clarion-Ledger. 26 December 2003. p. 14. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ Inauguration of George A. Owens as President of Tougaloo College, April 21, 1966. Division of Higher Education and American Missionary Association of the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries. 1966.
