George Albert Owens
American educationist
About George Albert Owens
Lived 1919 – 2003 (aged 83–84).
George Albert Owens (February 9, 1919 – December 21, 2003) was an American academic administrator and college president. He served as the 9th president of Tougaloo College in Mississippi serving from 1966 to 1984. He was the college's first African American president. He succeeded Adam D. Beittel who was removed from office after supporting civil rights activists. While in office he increased funding and campus housing. He graduated from Tougaloo College and Columbia University.
The New York Times quoted him in a story about the college in 1970 saying "Institutions like ours have the responsibility to identify the strengths of our students". His wife's name was Ruth and she died before him. U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams visited the health and wellness center named for him on the occasion of its 20th anniversary.
He received threats as college president, as well as other staff, and his home on the college campus was bombed.
Owens died on December 21, 2003, after suffering with Parkinson's disease. His two children survived him.
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Important facts
People in George Albert Owens's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped George Albert Owens's
Frequently asked questions
Who was George Albert Owens?
American educationist
When was George Albert Owens born?
George Albert Owens was born in 1919.
When did George Albert Owens die?
George Albert Owens died in 2003.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: George Albert Owens
· DBpedia: George Albert Owens
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). George Albert Owens. https://biography.guide/george-albert-owens/
MLA: "George Albert Owens." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/george-albert-owens/.
Chicago: "George Albert Owens." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/george-albert-owens/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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