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Samuel Cook Obituary
Cook was named the fourth president of Dillard University, an HBCU in New Orleans, in 1974. He strengthened the curriculum, increased the percentage of faculty members with doctorates, increased student enrollment by 50 percent and started the first Japanese language studies program at an HBCU. In 1989 he created the Dillard University National Conference on Black-Jewish Relations. Later President Bill Clinton appointed him to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council.
In 1993, Dillard named its new fine arts and communication center after him. He remained the school's president until he retired in 1997 as president emeritus.
He also was the first African-American professor at Duke University in Durham, N.C., beginning in 1966. Between 1981 and 1993, Cook was on the Duke board of trustees. In 1997, the Samuel DuBois Cook Society was founded in his honor to promote the development of black studies at the school and in 2015, Duke created the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity.
Cook graduated from Morehouse College in 1948 with a degree in history and received his master's and doctorate in political science at Ohio State University. In addition to Duke, he also taught at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., Atlanta University, the University of Illinois and UCLA.
His funeral will be at 11 a.m. on June 6, at the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center at Morehouse College.
Read the full article on MyAJC.com
Memories and Condolences
for Samuel Cook
39 Entries
Azalia Cheryl Barksdale
July 16, 2017
Mrs.Cook, my prayers go out to you and your family.
Gaeckler Family
June 14, 2017
Dear Karen & Cook Family -
Your father, Dr. Cook, sounds like a great man; we would have loved to have met him. Our condolences for your loss.
Randy, Elaine + Jackson Gaeckler
faith/rory tobin/dockett
June 11, 2017
Dear Dubois Cook Family Rory and I sincerely express our condolences's on the loss of Samuel D Cook.he'll surely be missed.luv,faith/rory
Chuck Crawley
June 10, 2017
My heart and prayers are with Mother Sylvia and her children as Dr. Samuel D. Cook transitions to be enterally with our Lord. Dr. Cook inspired me to record our community history in Griffin, GA. He is amongst the best my hometown have ever produced. May he forever Rest In Peace, onboard the Old Ship to Zion. Amen!
Kathy J
June 7, 2017
Pastor Ronald K. Adams
June 7, 2017
Much love and sympathy! Remembering not only Dr. Cook but also his mom and siblings, especially his sister, my friend and prayer partner, Sis. Mabel Cook... Precious memories!
June 7, 2017
My deepest condolence to family and friends with the loss of your dear love one. May the God of all comfort be with you during this difficult time. 2nd Cor. 1:2-5
S. Whiting
Atlanta, GA
KELLEY
June 7, 2017
MAY THE THOUGHT OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS SHARING IN YOUR GRIEF BRING YOU A MEASURE OF COMFORT.PLEASE READ PROV.17:17
Nm
June 6, 2017
My deepest sympathy to the Cook family at this time of loss may they find comfort knowing of the hope we have in our savior and the comfort he give.
Sandra Lowery
June 6, 2017
My Deepest Sympathy to The Cook Family. I love and miss you'll as my Church Pew Partners at Ebenezer Baptist Church.
May Memories Comfort You and bring you Peace at this time of your Loss.
Robert Beck
June 6, 2017
Dr. Cook, was special to me. I loved reading his works, and appreciated his deep love for his mentor, Dr.Mays. A life well lived, thanks Dr. Cook, for all you have done, to bridge the great gaps in this life. Rest in peace,
Woodrow Miller
June 5, 2017
To Dr. Cook family, please accept our deepest condolence. The Harmony Baptist Church family shall keep you in our prayer.
The Bell Ringer Morehouse Commencements.
J P
June 5, 2017
To the family and friends please accept know that the God of all comfort feel your pain and sorrow.Isaiah 61:1,2 reads:He sent me(Jesus Christ) to bind up broken hearted and to comfort all who mourn.
Wilson
June 5, 2017
May the God of all comfort strengthen the family during this time of deep sorrow. Those who pass on, God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes. My sincerest condolences. (Psalms 116:15)
Isaiah 25 : 8
June 5, 2017
My deepest condolence to the Cook family. May comfort and peace surround your family now and in the days ahead.
Sherrie Wilson
June 5, 2017
Sylvia, Your Fairmont High School Class of 66, Griffin, GA send our condolences. Prayers for God's Special Blessings! Your Friend,
June 5, 2017
My prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
The Family of Wilmer T. Woodfork
June 4, 2017
Our thoughts and prayers are extended to the family of Dr. Cook.
May he Rest In Peace.
C. O. & Pearl Hollis
June 4, 2017
Dear Sylvia and Family,
We are deeply saddened at the passing of Dr. Cook our dear friend and brother in Christ.
In this difficult time, we pray our friendship, love, sympathy and condolences bring you strength and comfort!
Blessings Always,
C. O. and Pearl Hollis
Ms. Frankie Chewning
June 4, 2017
WITH DEEPEST SYMPATHY.......May heartfelt Sympathy comfort you in your time of sorrow.
Sidney Herrington
June 4, 2017
My condolences to the Cook family and his Dillard University family. I know all HBCUs are apart of one family and we all feel the loss one member. But, remember we all are apart of the brotherhood that God has set up for us to enjoy each other. He will be miss; but, God promise that he will come back and we will see him again (John 5:28 and 29).
June 3, 2017
With deep heartfelt sympathy...What a bountiful storehouse of dignified memories your family can draw from! May these comfort you.
June 3, 2017
I am sincerely sorry for your loss May just knowing that God cares for you and your family during this most difficult time help comfort you (1Peter5:7)
June 3, 2017
Deepest condolences to Dr. Cook's family and friends. May cherished memories and prayers, comfort and strengthen you.
June 3, 2017
Time will pass and the pain will lessen. But the wonderful memories will be forever present of someone who was very special to this family.
Daniel
June 2, 2017
Heartfelt condolences are extended to the family. Dr. Cook will certainly be remembered for his many accomplishments. May the peace and comfort God gives be with you in this time of bereavement.
Elese Simmons
June 2, 2017
Dr. Cook did the impossible. How could such a giant with all of his accomplishments remain so true and humble? He was the perfect example of a servant leader.
Antoine Albert
June 2, 2017
I fondly remember Dr. Samuel DuBois Cook and the personal interest he took in me and fellow alumni. He is a pillar of the Famous Class of 1948, and it is our responsibility to honor his memory, extol his example, and continue his work empowering young Minority men. Steadfast, Honest, True. We love you and we will miss you, Dr. Samuel DuBois Cook. Risen in Glory, Resting in Peace.
June 1, 2017
Our deepest sympathy to the Cook family. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time. Ida and General Hilliard
Burnett Joiner
June 1, 2017
RIP my dear friend
Michael Watson
June 1, 2017
Rest in peace Dr Cook. I was proud to be a member of your first graduating class at Dillard. Your words to follow as well as those of Dr. Mays I shall long remember. There is no failure when one reaches for the stars.
Gerri Hobdy
June 1, 2017
Though his body rests great leaders don't die. Dr. Cook's legacy breathes through the work and lives of all he has inspired.
Sylvia Cook, Dubie and Karen, I wish you warm memories and strength as you journey through grief. You are not alone. I pray that In the these dark days you feel divine peace in knowing that Dr. Cook, "Sam", is gone with a friend. I love you all.
Matthew Johnson
June 1, 2017
I don't have many heroes, but he was certainly one of them.
Vanessa Moore
June 1, 2017
Dear Mrs. Sylvia Cook and Family,
May God be with you and your family during this time and may the many prayers being spoken for you be a source of comfort during this time of loss.
Sharon Dixon
May 31, 2017
Rest in Heaven, Dr. Cook.
Bridgette Gibson
May 31, 2017
Thank you for every door you opened. We will never know all of the sacrifices you made, but we appreciate your selflessness. May your family find comfort in their many memories and in God.
J Clanton, Stonecrest City Councilman
Jimmy Clanton
May 31, 2017
Great men are all children of decision. Dr. Cook decided to be great long ago and his legacy is the many seeds of greatness he planted during his time.
Peace without end,
Jimmy Clanton, Jr.
Stonecrest City Councilman
Graham Matthews
May 31, 2017
Dr. Samuel Dubois Cook hired me on the spot in 1991 while we were having dinner with his wife, Sylvia, and my wife, and three children at the Dooky Chase Restaurant. He said to me, "Dr. Matthews I want to hire you as one of my five Vice Presidents at Dillard University."
Accepting the job was the best career decision I ever made. He was my mentor, my friend, and a fellow intellectual. After Dr.Cook retired, 1997, he and I would talk maybe four or five times a year, and when he would answer the telephone, he would always say to me in that deep booming voice. "Dr. Graham P. Matthews, how are you?".
The superb administrative team, which he assembled from 1991-1997, was one of the best groups with whom I have ever worked.
He was a gentleman and a scholar. My life has been greatly enriched by having worked for and interacted daily with Dr.Samuel Dubois Cook for six years. I shall miss him, but my memories of Dr.Samuel Dubois Cook shall live on with me forever.
May God grant strength during their time of mourning to his wife Sylvia, and to his children Samuel and Karen, and to his two grandchildren.
Regards,
The Reverend Graham P. Matthews, Ph.D.
May 31, 2017
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May your family find the peace you need during this time in prayer, in God's word and in the support of friends. And I hope the beautiful memories you've shared , bring comfort and encouragement in the days ahead.
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11:00 a.m.
Ray Charles Performing Arts Center at Morehouse College
900 West End Ave SW, Atlanta, GA
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