Rod Paige | |
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7th United States Secretary of Education | |
In office January 20, 2001 – January 20, 2005 |
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President | George W. Bush |
Preceded by | Richard Riley |
Succeeded by | Margaret Spellings |
Houston Independent School District Superintendent of Schools | |
In office 1994 – January 20, 2001 |
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Trustee of the Houston Independent School District School Board | |
In office 1989–1994 |
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Personal details | |
Born |
Monticello, Mississippi, US |
June 17, 1933
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Gloria Crawford (m. 1956-1982) Stephanie Nellons |
Children | Rod Paige, Jr. |
Alma mater |
Jackson State University (BA) Indiana University (MA, EdD) |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/branch | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1955–1957 |
Roderick Raynor "Rod" Paige (born June 17, 1933) served as the 7th United States Secretary of Education from 2001 to 2005. Paige, who grew up in Mississippi, moved from classroom teacher to college dean and school superintendent to be the first African American to serve as the nation's education chief.
Paige was sitting with George W. Bush at the Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida, when Bush received the news that a second plane had hit the World Trade Center in the September 11, 2001 attacks.
On November 15, 2004, Paige announced his resignation after overseeing the President's education agenda for four years. White House domestic policy adviser Margaret Spellings was nominated as his successor. The U.S. Senate confirmed her on January 20, 2005 after Bush's inauguration for a second term.
Paige has been serving as interim president of his alma mater, Jackson State University, since November 1, 2016.
Born in Monticello, Mississippi, Paige is 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.