Dr. Chernoh M Sesay

Dr. Chernoh M. Sesay, the son of the late Mohammed and the late Mariama Sesay, was born on July 27, 1945, in Sanda, Tandarean Chiefdom, Sierra Leone, West Africa. He peacefully began his eternal rest on Wednesday, December 4, 2013. After growing up in Sierra Leone, he arrived to the United States, in 1966, and graduated, in 1970, from Morningside College, in Sioux City, Iowa with a B.S. in political science and economics. In 1972, he received an M.A. in political science, from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, with a specialization in comparative government and politics. In 1978, he received the Ph.D. in political science from Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario Canada. Deeply shaped by West Africa post-colonial and nationalist movements, he wrote his doctoral dissertation, "The Role of Private Land Developers in the Decision-Making Process in the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton: A Test of Lorimer's Hypothesis - That Private Land Developers Run City Hall," with a mind to return to government in Sierra Leone. Dr. Sesay once explained that being successful in life demanded the ability to maintain one's ambitions while also adjusting one's goals. Instead of returning to Sierra Leone, he successfully focused his efforts on being a husband, raising his family, financially aiding his parents and relatives, supporting a nascent African and Sierra Leonian immigrant community, and becoming a leader in U.S. higher education. He is survived by his wife Aleta; his sons Chernoh and Abdulai; his daughter Mariama and son-in-law Carl St. Paul, and their sons Abdulai and Chernoh. He worked tirelessly to support the immigration of his family from Sierra Leone to the U.S.. This community includes Omaru Sesay, Minkailu and Kadi Sesay, Cherinoh and Fatu Davies, Kadi Lockley, Siaka Sesay, Chernoh Sesay, Issatu Sesay-Richardson, Zainab Sisay, Yenki Sisay-Williams and Omar Sisay as well as many, many other brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, and nephews both here and back in Sierra Leone. As he attended to these various responsibilities he also became a leader in higher education. He began as an assistant professor at Chicago State University, in 1979, and attained the rank of professor in eight years. From 1984 to 1986 he served as Chairman of the Department of Economics and Political Science and Director of International Programs. In 1987 he became Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and from 1990 to 1996 he stood as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. He moved from Chicago State to the position of Provost and Executive Vice President at William Paterson College in 1996. As provost, he helped transform William Paterson from a college to a university. His accomplishments are numerous. At both institutions, Dr. Sesay increased enrollment, expanded international programs, and increased funded research awards for faculty. Students, faculty, and staff universally agreed that Dr. Sesay provided focused, determined, and visionary leadership. As provost at both universities, he often walked the campus, making himself constantly accessible to students, faculty, and staff. An intense commitment to equitable access to higher education, especially to groups historically denied the opportunity for college, inspired and motivated Dr. Sesay. This commitment continues to express itself in the numerous students who fondly remember him and who attest to his profound influence in their lives and careers. He will be truly missed and remembered by everyone. In lieu of flowers the family has asked for you to make a donation to the William Paterson University Scholarship Fund in honor of Dr. Chernoh M. Sesay. Donations may be sent to William Paterson University 300 Pompton Road, Wayne, New Jersey 07470 Attention: Office of Institutional Advancement.

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