HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DEAN EMERITUS QUIESTER CRAIG

HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DEAN EMERITUS QUIESTER CRAIG

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 25 (Thursday, February 6, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 25 (Thursday, February 6, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E105] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DEAN EMERITUS QUIESTER CRAIG ______ HON. JONATHAN L. JACKSON of illinois in the house of representatives Thursday, February 6, 2025 Mr JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a legendary American educator, Dean Emeritus Quiester Craig, who passed away on December 12th at the age of 88 He touched the lives of many students, including myself. Dean Craig was a proud graduate of Morehouse College for his bachelor's, Atlanta University for his MBA, and the University of Missouri-Columbia for his doctoral degree in accounting. When he graduated, he was the 10th African American in the United States to hold a Ph.D. in accounting. Dean Craig lived a full life dedicated to expanding quality education within his community. His commitment to excellence will be missed terribly, but his legacy serves as an example not to be forgotten. In July of 1972 he was appointed Professor of Accounting and Dean of the School of Business and Economics at North Carolina A&T State University (NC A&T). Dean Craig was a man of many accomplishments. Under his leadership, NC A&T became the Nation's first Historically Black College to earn accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the international standard for business schools. This made NC A&T the country's number one HBCU graduate business school. Due to this accomplishment, in 1992, Dean Craig served as President of AACSB International. He was the first African American elected President of Beta Gamma Sigma, the International Honor Society for qualified students in AACSB International accredited business programs, from 2000 to 2002. In June 1985, he received the Distinguished Service Award of the National Association of Black Accountants. He was also the Administrator of the Year Award recipient for the May 1986 NC A&T Commencement. In April 1987, he was honored as the Business and Public Citation Merit Awardee of the University of Missouri Columbia. In 1988, Miller Brewing Company selected Dr. Craig for its ``Gallery of Greats, 12 Black Educators Building the Foundation.'' In 1991, he was honored as Clark-Atlanta University's Outstanding Graduate Alumnus of the Year. In April 2004, NC A&T named the School of Business and Economics classroom building as ``Quiester Craig Hall.'' In June 2005, he received The Milton Wilson Dean's Excellence Award from the HBCU Dean's Roundtable. In November 2011, Dr Craig was one of the inaugural inductees into the Ph.D. Project Hall of Fame. In 2013, he was honored with the AACSB International Distinguished Leadership Award. Dean Quiester Craig was a humble man who was passionate about uplifting the next generation of business leaders, and he did just that. As a former student of Dean Craig, it was under his leadership that I became a successful entrepreneur. Today, I stand as a Member of Congress, advocating for the protection of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Diversity Equity and Inclusion initiatives, and never forgetting the many lessons he taught me while at North Carolina A&T. Our Nation was made better because of the leadership, kindness, and mentorship of Dean Craig. While he is no longer with us today, we will never forget the many lessons he taught us, and his memory will live on through the lives of all those he taught. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in offering our condolences to his family during this trying time, and in honoring the legacy of Dean Quiester Craig.