John Lucas (educator)
John Harding Lucas | |
|---|---|
| President of Shaw University | |
| In office September 1986 – July 1987 | |
| Preceded by | Stanley Hugh Smith |
| Succeeded by | Talbert O. Shaw |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Harding Lucas November 7, 1920[1] Rocky Mount, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | March 31, 2025 (aged 104) |
| Occupation | Academic and university administrator |
John Harding Lucas (November 7, 1920 – March 31, 2025) was an American educator and university administrator. He served as president of Shaw University and was instrumental in founding the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE).[2]
Early life and career
An alumnus of Shaw University and a World War II veteran who served in the Asiatic-Pacific theater,[1][3][4] Lucas began his career as an elementary school and high school teacher, subsequently serving as principal of Orange Street Elementary and Mary Potter School in the town of Oxford.[1] He served as principal of Hillside High School in Durham, North Carolina from 1962 to 1985.[3][5]
From 1961 to 1972, Lucas headed the North Carolina chapter of the National Education Association (NEA), and following the era of segregation, was instrumental in forming a new statewide educators' association from the White N. C. Education Association and the Black N C. Teachers' Association.[1] His proposal that a completely new professional organization be developed, which came to be known as the "Lucas concept," resulted in the 1970 creation of the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE).[2] He later served as the NCAE's fourth president.[4] As a member of the board of trustees of Shaw University, he was appointed the university's interim president on September 16, 1986,[6] and during the following year oversaw the university's recovery from a severe financial crisis.[3][5]
Personal life and recognition
Lucas was the father of professional basketball and tennis player and coach John Lucas II,[7] and was the grandfather of professional basketball players and coaches John Lucas III and Jai Lucas.
John Lucas died on March 31, 2025, at the age of 104.[8]
Awards and recognition
Lucas was awarded the Trenholm Memorial Award of the National Education Association for state-level and national-level educational leadership in July 2000.[7] In 2012, a Durham public middle school, Lucas Middle School, was dedicated in his honor.[4] In November 2013, he was conferred with the North Carolina Award, the state's highest civil honor, for his distinguished career in public service.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d "Honoring John Lucas" (PDF). Triangle Tribune. December 8, 2024. p. 8. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Lucas among N. C. Award honorees". Winston-Salem Chronicle. November 18, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
- ^ a b c Graziano, Carl (September 30, 1986). "Interim president seeks streamlining at Shaw (2)". The News & Observer. Retrieved January 20, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c Marks, Brendan (November 27, 2023). "'Let everybody know who you are': Jai Lucas builds on his family's hoops legacy". The Athletic. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
- ^ a b Graziano, Carl (September 30, 1986). "Interim president seeks streamlining at Shaw (1)". The News & Observer. Retrieved January 20, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Trustees member at Shaw selected interim president". The News & Observer. September 17, 1986. Retrieved January 20, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Goldsteim, Jonathan (June 28, 2000). "Former school board member to get teachers group honor". The News & Observer. Retrieved January 20, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Dr. John Harding Lucas, Sr". Fisher Memorial Funeral Parlor. Retrieved 3 August 2025.