I often refer to Dr. Williiam E. Cox as the quintessential “race man.”
He, like so many others from his era, believed that they had a moral imperative and a duty to help improve the plight and social mobility of Black Americans through education.
These Black southerners set out to transform the nation, and in doing so, provided countless opportunities for the next wave of African Americans.
I am deeply grateful for their sacrifice.
Bill’s actions were aligned with his words. In an uncompromising effort to showcase the diversity of academia, he and Frank L. Matthews gave the nation a tremendous blessing when they founded Black Issues In Higher Education, renamed Diverse: Issues In Higher Education in 2005.
This special tribute edition remembers and celebrates the life of Dr. William E. Cox and his monumental contributions to the field of higher education and beyond. No tribute could sufficiently convey our deep appreciation and admiration for Bill and the ways in which he impacted the higher education landscape, but we have tried to capture the spirit of his genius, creativity, and strong work ethic, by spotlighting the voices of those who knew him closely or admired him from afar.
Dr. Jamal Watson
During my nearly 20-year affiliation with Diverse, I have encountered countless scholars who are indebted to Bill and Frank for having the courage, vision, and fortitude to create Black Issues In Higher Education. They credit the publication with helping them to find their first job in academe; they are grateful that we published their first article; and they found the thought-provoking articles and commentaries to prove useful as they pursued their own scholarly endeavors.
