In 1955, Howard and Joanne Cheek graduated from Millsaps College with a B.S. in physics and a B.A. in English, respectively. They were married and in turn, the couple would have 3 sons, each of whom would go on to graduate from Millsaps. Rogers graduated in 1984 with a B.B.A. in accounting, Chris in 1985 with a B.B.A. in business administration, and John in 1989 with a B.S. in computer science and geology. Most recently, Collin Cheek, the son of Chris and grandson of Howard and Joanne, graduated in 2014 with a B.S. in psychology with a minor in business administration, and is currently CEO at Baptist Memorial Hospital/Nursing Home Calhoun. Regarding the importance Millsaps has for his family, Collin says: "Everybody in our family is very supportive of and loves Millsaps. I wish I could go back as a student already!"
The Cheek family exhibits the varied paths available to individuals benefitting from a quality liberal arts education. While six individuals and three generations earned their degrees over the course of 60 years, Millsaps' College helped each of them by fostering the educational environment necessary to develop them academically, professionally, and personally. Graduates leave campus to further the Millsaps influence to other communities, both across the street and around the globe.
This positive, life-changing influence would not be available to current students without the generous support of scholarship donors. Approximately 20% of Millsaps students are eligible for Pell grants and many more (over 90% of entering freshmen) are receiving some form of scholarship aid.
Howard and Joanne Cheek saw the Millsaps experience shape their family through their own lives as well as those of their sons and grandson. Prior to Howard's death in July 2019, the couple decided to extend their experience to others by funding the Cheek Family Endowed Scholarship Fund. The scholarship will provide opportunities for future students similar to those the Cheek family gained from Millsaps. Howard and JoAnne's legacy will live on for generations to come in the lives of students touched by their gift.
