Oglethorpe University

Dr. James H. Hinson Jr. Graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Political Science and was a highly respected student-athlete.

Before coming to Oglethorpe, Hinson served in the U.S. Army in the 10th Armored Division right after he graduated high school. He was a part of storing the beaches in Normandy on D-Day and liberated the Dachau concentration camp. Hinson received the Bronze Star Medal for Bravery after shooting down a German plane that was attacking an American convoy. As the war came to an end, he was a member of the Division All-Star baseball team and entertained fellow troops. He even pitched an exhibition match against the New York Yankees.

Hinson was key player with the 1946-47 team that made it to the second round of the Southeastern AAU tournament and recorded a 22-5 season record. He was also a pitcher and outfielder on the baseball team, a member of the track and cross country team, the O Club and in the Boar’s Head Honor Fraternity. Hinson was also the Chorus Master of Ceremonies in 1948.

Hinson and his wife Doris met on their first day at Oglethorpe and were married in 1952. Hinson went on to earn his masters in economics from Emory, and his doctorate in educational administration from the University of Georgia. He started his career as an elementary school teacher, then moved up to high school where he also coached baseball and basketball. Hinson eventually became superintendent of DeKalb County Schools, then president of DeKalb College (later Perimeter College, now merged with Georgia State). He also served as Chancellor of Virginia Community Colleges and president of Tallahassee Community College. Hinson also worked as President of the Southeastern Regional Education Laboratory, representing Georgia, Florida, and Alabama, under a development grant from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.

Hinson and his wife had two daughters and one son, and later 8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Later in life, he took up golf and claimed to shoot under his age until he was 94. He was a Rotarian for 60 years, beginning with the Decatur Rotary and later the Tallahassee Rotary. He passed away peacefully on January 25, 2022 at the age of 96.