Dr. Jimmy G. Cheek was appointed UT Knoxville’s seventh chancellor in October 2008 and assumed the position in February 2009. Prior to his appointment as chancellor, he served the University of Florida for 34 years, most recently as senior vice president of agricultural and natural resources, which included managing the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences—composed of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the School of Natural Resources and the Environment, the School of Forest Resources and Conservation, elements of the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, 13 Research and Education Centers across Florida, and the Florida Cooperative Extension Service.
He earned the bachelor’s degree with high honors and his doctorate from Texas A&M University. He earned the master’s degree from Lamar University. He joined the faculty of the University of Florida in 1975 as assistant professor of agricultural education and communication and was promoted to professor in 1985. His research focused on education and learning.
His numerous awards while at Florida included Teacher of the Year for the college, Alpha Zeta Professor of the Year, and as the first recipient, the University of Florida Faculty Superior Accomplishment Award. He received the Morton Wolfson Faculty Award in 1998 for outstanding contributions to the quality of student life at the University of Florida and the President’s Medallion for dedicated and loyal services to the university.
He is a Fellow of the National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture and was awarded the Ensminger-Interstate Distinguished Teaching Award. In 1999 he was named one of 30 Notable Graduates of the College of Education at Texas A&M University. In 2005 he became a fellow in the American Association for Agricultural Education.