AHI Senior Fellow Appointed Social Sciences Dean at EGSC

Dr. Lee Cheek

Cheek, who is a leading authority on American political thought generally and southern political thinkers specifically, believes “East Georgia State College is a wonderful institution, with a deep appreciation for its past, and much anticipation about the future. I look forward to being part of that future.”

Cheek earned his bachelor’s degree from Western Carolina University, a graduate degree in theology from Duke University in Durham, N.C.; his master of public administration degree from Western Carolina University; and his doctorate from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

He previously served as Dean of the Social Sciences at the University of North Georgia, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Athens State University in Alabama, and Vice President for College Advancement and Professor of Political Science at Brewton-Parker College in Mt. Vernon, Georgia. Cheek taught at Brewton-Parker College from 1997-2000, and he rejoined the Brewton-Parker faculty in 2005. In 2000, 2006, and 2007, Cheek was awarded Brewton-Parker College’s “Professor of the Year Award” by the student body, and, in 2008, the Jordan Excellence in Teaching Award was bestowed upon him by the College’s faculty and administration. From 2000 to 2005, Cheek served as Associate Professor of Political Science at Lee University. In May 2002, Cheek was given Lee University’s Excellence in Scholarship award, and, in May 2004, he received Lee University’s Excellence in Advising award. He has also served as a congressional aide and as a political consultant.

Cheek’s books include Political Philosophy and Cultural Renewal (Transaction/Rutgers, 2001, with Kathy B. Cheek); Calhoun and Popular Rule, (University of Missouri Press, 2001; paper edition, 2004); Calhoun: Selected Speeches and Writings (Regnery, 2003); Order and Legitimacy (Transaction/Rutgers, 2004); an edition of Calhoun’s A Disquisition on Government (St. Augustine’s, 2007); a critical edition of W. H. Mallock’s The Limits of Pure Democracy (Transaction/Rutgers, 2007 ); Confronting Modernity: Towards a Theology of Ministry in the Wesleyan Tradition (Wesley Studies Society, 2010); a scholarly edition of A Theory of Public Opinion (Transaction/Rutgers, 2013); Patrick Henry-Onslow Debate Liberty and Republicanism in American Political Thought (Lexington Books, 2013); and, the Founding of the American Republic (Bloomsbury, 2015; forthcoming). He has also published numerous journal articles in publications like the Journal of Politics, Methodist History, International Social Science Review, and Hebraic Political Studies and is a regular commentator on American politics.  Dr. Cheek is also a senior fellow at the Alexander Hamilton Institute for the Study of Western Civilization (AHI) in New York.

Cheek’s current research includes an intellectual biography of Francis Graham Wilson, a prominent 20th century political scientist (I.S.I. Books, 2012), and a book on Patrick Henry’s constitutionalism and political theory. Cheek is also a United Methodist clergyman and former U.S. Army chaplain. He currently serves on the editorial board of Humanitas, the Political Science Reviewer, Anamnesis, and The University Bookman and has served as a Fellow of the Earhart Foundation, Wilbur Foundation, the Center for Judicial Studies, and the Center for International Media Studies.

“We are very excited and fortunate to have Dr. Cheek join us as Dean of the Division of Social Sciences,” said EGCS President Dr. Robert Boehmer. “Dr. Cheek is an experienced and accomplished leader who brings a commitment to academic excellence that will inspire our students to success. Our faculty and staff will also be inspired by his professionalism and active involvement in the community of scholars.”

Cheek resides in Vidalia, Georgia, with his wife, Kathy B. Cheek, a teacher of ballet and yoga and the former executive director of the Ohoopee Regional Council for the Arts.