(December 6, 2013)
Keith Sherley and Nigel Manuel
JACKSON, Tn- Dr. Wesley Cornelius McClure has passed away.
Bishop Lawrence Reddick, Chair of the Lane College Board of Trustees, released the following statement.
"The Lane College Family mourns the passing of President Wesley Cornelious McClure on Friday evening Dec. 6, 2013 at the Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.
We ask your prayers at this time for Mrs. Mary Bradley McClure, the McClure Family and for the Lane College Family – students , staff, faculty and Administration.
President McClure loved Lane College with all his being, giving himself untiringly to its progress. His presidency has been marked with outstanding growth in the student body and the Campus, and with exemplary personal and professional recognition among his peers.
He will be missed.
Bishop Lawrence Reddick, Chair, Lane College Board of Trustees"
Friends react to the announcement of the passing of Dr Wesley Cornelious McClure"
"Tiffany and I were so saddened to hear of the sudden loss of Dr. Wesley McClure. We never saw him without a smile on his face, a warm word, and a strong embrace. He always wanted to share some bit of good news about his campus, faculty or students and was tireless in his efforts to promote the successes of Lane College. But more than that, he was committed to each individual student. Each time he welcomed me to campus, I was struck by how the students revered him as not simply a professor or college president, but as mentor and father figure. He provided them not only with an education but with guidance for life that doesn't come from a textbook. The college, our community, and our state have lost a leader and sincere friend." Tennessee State Senator Lowe Finney
"Jackson/Madison County, the state of Tennessee and beyond has not only lost a great man but also a great leader. Prayer for his family and the Lane College family." Madison County Sheriff David Woolfork
"This community has lost a giant of a man. We can't say enough about his legacy as a student at Lane College in the Civil Rights movement and later his leadership of Lane College. Our hearts go out to Mary and the rest of his family. Jackson has lost a giant of a man" Harrell Carter, President, NAACP
"Lane College lost a brilliant and visionary leader, tonight with the passing of Dr. McClure. I had the privilege to serve on Lane's Board of Trustee's,and witness his promise for students, faculty and staff, that Lane College had, "The Power of Potential"! There's so many achievements Dr. McClure brought to this historical institution of higher learning. his passion for Lane College concerning …Lane's past, present and future is an understatement. Unfortunately, our community also lot a tireless advocate in his mission to bridge Lane College and the neighborhoods along with the entire city of Jackson by participating in community events. There's not enough space to begin listing all his contributions and the legacy he bestowed in every aspect of his life, but I will always remember Dr. McClure as an Ambassador of Possibilities/well done—to my friend/may angels take you to a peaceful home – Bill Hamilton, Owner Tom Lawler's
Dr Wesley McClure Bio according to the Lane College website,
“Dr. Wesley Cornelius McClure is the Ninth President of Lane College.
He is a native of Jackson, Tennessee, where he graduated as Valedictorian from Merry High School in 1960. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, with Honors, from Lane College in 1964. He continued his education at the University of Virginia and received the Master’s and Doctorate in Mathematics and Educational Research in 1968 and 1970, respectively. He also attended the Institute for Educational Management of Harvard University, where he received a Diploma (1971).”
“Before assuming the presidency of Lane College, Dr. McClure gained a wealth of administrative experience through service in a wide range of executive leadership positions in higher education: President, Virginia State University, 1988-92; Chancellor of Southern University in Baton Rouge, 1985-88; and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs from 1981-1985; Executive Assistant to the President at St. Augustine’s College, 1979-81; Dean of Faculty and Instruction at Clark College, 1978-79; and Assistant to the President and Title III Coordinator at Lane College, 1970-78. “
“Dr. McClure is a distinguished mathematician, educational analyst, and speaker. He has made significant presentations before Congressional committees, to the United States Department of Education, and to a variety of prestigious professional organizations. His board memberships include: Executive Committee, Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities (TICU); Commission on Public Affairs, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU); Chairman, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO); Commission on Governmental Relations, American Council on Education (ACE); Barksdale Theater; NationsBank Funding Corporation; Population Reference Bureau; and the Drug Awareness Network of the United States Department of Education. Other significant memberships include: Holland Scholarship Advisory Committee, University of Virginia; International Association of University Presidents; Council of Chairman Corps of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated; National Technical Association; American Association of University Professors (AAUP); National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM); Association for Institutional Research (AIR); and the American Educational Research Association (AERA). Significant presentations made and recent honors include: BEEP of the National Urban League; U.S. Congress, National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges: Conference on the Black Male; Conference on the Black Family; National Title III Workshop; National Black Caucus of State Legislators; and Chairman’s Corps (SACS).”
“Dr. McClure is married to the former Mary Bradley of Germantown, Tennessee. They have three children: Wesley II (Karla); Carter Bradley (Marsha); and Dessalines McLeod Pieh (Hinga); and seven grandchildren.”
