Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek recently received a Legacy Award for Excellence through Leadership from Tarleton State University, his alma mater.
Legacy Awards recognize individuals and supporters who exhibit Tarleton’s core values of civility, integrity, excellence, leadership, tradition, and service. The Excellence through Leadership Award recognizes an individual’s significant career accomplishments that bring honor and credit to Tarleton.
“A Tarleton alumnus, Chancellor Cheek knows how to catch the vision of an organization and share it in a way that makes others want to follow,” Tarleton State University President F. Dominic Dottavio said. “Thanks to his leadership, UT is on its way to becoming one of the top 25 public research universities in the nation, and more than $1 billion of construction is under way or in the design or planning stages on the Knoxville campus.
“A first-generation college student, Chancellor Cheek has set in motion initiatives to broaden UT’s diversity and student access, leading to his participation in the White House Summit on increasing college opportunities for low-income students,” Dottavio added. “Not only has Dr. Cheek brought great honor to UT, but he’s brought great honor to Tarleton.”
Tarleton State University is a member of the Texas A&M University System. Cheek attended Tarleton for two years then finished his bachelor’s degree with high honors and his doctorate from Texas A&M University. He earned his master’s degree from Lamar University.