(NAME-MCE) In Memoriam: Theodore Lamont Cross

[Anselmo Villanueva]

<http://www.jbhe.com>


*In Memoriam*
Theodore Lamont Cross (1924-2010)

Theodore Cross, the founder and editor of *The Journal of Blacks in Higher
Education*, died in Florida on Sunday, February 28, 2010. He was 86 years
old.

A native of Wellesley, Massachusetts, Ted Cross was a graduate of Amherst
College and Harvard Law School.

After a long and successful career in professional publishing, Cross devoted
the last two decades of his life to increasing the opportunities of African
Americans in higher education. In 1993 the first issue of the quarterly, *The
Journal of Blacks in Higher Education* was published. To the time of his
death, Cross maintained an active role in writing and editing the journal.
In 2003 he began an online weekly edition of JBHE.

A veteran of the 1960s civil rights marches and protests, Cross’ efforts on
behalf of African-American higher education were not restricted to
publishing. He was an active member of the board of the NAACP Legal Defense
and Educational Fund. Also, in 1981 Cross established an endowed
professorship in the sciences at Amherst College with the stipulation that
the chair’s first occupant be an African American.

Cross was the author of two books, *Black Capitalism* and *The Black Power
Imperative*. He also published two critically acclaimed books of his bird
photography, the latest being *Waterbirds*, which was published in 2009.

All of us at JBHE are extremely saddened by the passing of our leader and
dear friend. He will be deeply missed.