Rod Paige obit

Former U.S. Education Secretary, Houston ISD superintendent Dr. Rod Paige dies

 

He was not on the list.

The Brief

Dr. Rod Paige has died, according to the Houston mayor's office.

Dr. Paige previously served as the seventh U.S. Secretary of Education.

He also previously served as Houston ISD superintendent.

HOUSTON - Dr. Rod Paige, the former U.S. Secretary of Education and Houston school leader, has died, the mayor’s office confirms.

Dr. Paige served as the seventh U.S. Secretary of Education. His position was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2001.

He had previously served as dean of the College of Education at Texas Southern University, a trustee on the Houston ISD Board of Education and superintendent of the school district.

"A Houston hero"

What they're saying:

In a statement, Houston Mayor John Whitmire said:

"I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Rod Paige. He was a Houston hero, respected educator and a dear friend.

Throughout his distinguished career in public service, from Dean of the Texas Southern University College of Education, Houston Independent School District superintendent or serving as the seventh U.S. Education Secretary, Dr. Paige transformed lives and opened the doors of opportunity for countless children and their families throughout our community and across the country.

God does not allow us to choose when we lose loved ones and friends, but he does allow us to honor their legacy and celebrate their lives.

I ask everyone to celebrate Dr. Paige’s life and keep his family and loved ones in your prayers."

He served as the 7th United States secretary of education from 2001 to 2005 during the George W. Bush administration. He was the first African American to serve as the secretary of education. His tenure as education secretary was noted for his involvement in the creation and passage of the No Child Left Behind Act in 2002.

Paige, who grew up in Mississippi, served as head coach for the Jackson State Tigers from 1964 to 1968 and for the Texas Southern Tigers from 1971 to 1975. He also served as a college dean for Texas Southern University and was the Superintendent of the Houston Independent School District from 1994 until 2001.

After leaving the Education Department in 2005, Paige served as interim president of Jackson State University from November 2016 to June 2017.

Roderick Raynor Paige was born on June 17, 1933 in Monticello, Mississippi, as the son of public school educators. He earned a bachelor's degree from Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi. He earned a master's degree and a Doctor of Education degree in Physical Education from Indiana University Bloomington.

Paige served in the United States Navy from 1955 to 1957.