Timothy Askew

1961 - 2025

ASKEW, Dr. Timothy

Dr. Timothy Almon Askew, affectionally nicknamed "Skeet", was born on June 25, 1961, the beloved only child of Arthur Almon Askew and Louise Peggy Askew, both preceding him in death.

A top 1979 honor graduate with highest academic intensity from Northside High School, Atlanta, Dr. Askew matriculated at Morehouse College, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1983, a B.A. degree in Music Theory and Composition and was a junior-year inductee in Phi Beta Kappa. In 1985, he earned a M.A. from Yale University in African American Studies, minoring in English Literature and subsequently became a1989 NCEA Doctoral Fellow in the English Department at the University of South Florida.

Pursuing an interdisciplinary degree in American Studies, focusing on American Literature and American Music, he earned his Ph.D. from Emory University in 1996 and was distinguished as the first Ph.D. Marshal at the University. In addition, he was a Reader's Digest Foundation Scholar (Morehouse College), received University Fellowships (Yale University and Emory University) and a Dissertation Fellowship from The United Negro College Fund/National Consortium for Educational Access (Emory University).

A gifted English professor, Dr. Askew began his teaching career at Clark Atlanta University (CAU) in 1985 as an instructor of English, becoming a tenured Full Professor of English. 2025 marked his 40th year at CAU. Additionally, he served as an adjunct English Professor at Spelman College, Mercer University, Atlanta Metropolitan College, Southern Institute of Technology, and St. Leo University.

Continuing scholarly excellence, Dr. Askew became Founding President of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society at CAU and a Sustaining Member of Phi Beta Kappa. He received the highest honor bestowed on a faculty member at CAU, the Aldridge/McMillan Award for overall excellence in teaching, research, and service.

Dr. Askew, an accomplished organist, served the Greater Turner Chapel A.M.E. Church for many years, and accompanied the Voices of Praise vocal group at Community Church of God. Combining his love for God, hymns, and senior citizens, he often played music at the Fairburn Convalescent Home.

An exceptional scholar, Dr. Askew was the author of three books: "Refreshing the American Literary Canon: Selections from American Autobiographies, Memoirs and Cultural Testimonies, "Cultural Hegemony and African American Patriotism: An Analysis of the song, "Lift Every Voice and Sing"", and "Lord Lead Me Down the Abbeville Road".

Following the publication of his book analyzing "Lift Every Voice and Sing", Dr. Askew was a guest lecturer across the US and the Caribbean Islands, featured in several newspapers and television programs, including CNN, where he engaged in a dialogue with Reverend Jesse Jackson about "Lift Every Voice" and Askew's book.

Service, humility, and kindness were inherent traits of Dr. Askew. He went above and beyond to assist and encourage students and served on various university committees. He enjoyed traveling, going to the beach, and good restaurants. Although he was an only child, his extended "family" included hundreds who dearly loved him, calling him Tim. He in turn claimed his close female friends as "sister" or "niece".

On February 6, 2025, Dr. Askew departed this life, after personally and professionally impacting many friends, family, colleagues, and students. His love, legacy, engaging smile, and encouraging words will be missed by all. We will remember his impact, and we will seek to influence others with goodness and kindness as he did.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that gifts be made to the Department of English and Modern Languages at Clark Atlanta University in memory of Dr. Timothy A. Askew. A celebration of life service will be held at CAU at 3:00 PM, Saturday, February 15 at the Henderson Student Center Multi-purpose Room, 3rd floor. A light repast will follow.