George Albert Owens

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]

George Albert Owens
8th President of Tougaloo College (acting)
In office
September 1964 – 1965
Preceded byAdam Daniel Beittel
9th President of Tougaloo College
In office
1966–1984
Succeeded byHerman Blake
Personal details
BornFebruary 9, 1919
Bolton, Mississippi, U.S.
DiedDecember 21, 2003
Alma materTougaloo College,
Columbia University
OccupationAcademic administrator, college president

Biography

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

Inauguration of George A. Owens as President of Tougaloo College, April 21, 1966, by Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, Mississippi 1966[14]

References
  1. "Inventory of the Office of the President Records: George A. Owens". Mississippi Digital Library. 2005.
  2. Mitchell, Martha (1993). "Tougaloo College". Encyclopedia Brunoniana. Brown University.
  3. Shugana, Williams (July 11, 2017). "Tougaloo College". Mississippi Encyclopedia. Center for Study of Southern Culture. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  4. https://aquila.usm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1263&context=dissertations
  5. "Tougaloo's 1st black president dies at 84". Clarion-Ledger. 22 December 2003. p. 13. Retrieved 29 January 2023.open access
  6. Sewell, George Alexander; Dwight, Margaret L. (January 20, 2012). Mississippi Black History Makers. Univ. Press of Mississippi. ISBN 9781617034282 – via Google Books.
  7. 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.
  8. Johnson, Thomas A. (July 25, 1970). "Poverty Is a Boast at Tougaloo College". The New York Times.
  9. "SR 32 (As Adopted by Senate) - 1999 Regular Session". billstatus.ls.state.ms.us.
  10. "Owens Health and Wellness Center | Tougaloo College". www.tougaloo.edu.
  11. "U. S. Surgeon General visits Tougaloo". www.wlbt.com.
  12. "Late Dr. Owens inspiration to many". Clarion-Ledger. 7 January 2004. p. 8. Retrieved 29 January 2023.open access
  13. "George Owens - Educator served as trailblazer". Clarion-Ledger. 26 December 2003. p. 14. Retrieved 29 January 2023.open access
  14. 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.
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