James A. Colston
Encyclopedia
James A. Colston became the first African-American to serve as president of a college in the state of New York and was among the first to lead a predominately white college when he was named president of the Bronx Community College
in 1966.
Dr. Colston also served as president of three other institutions which include: Bethune-Cookman University 1942-1946; Georgia State College
(now Savannah State University
) 1947-1951; and Knoxville College
1951-1965.
in 1932; his M.A. in education from Atlanta University in 1933 and later obtained his Ph.D. from New York University
.
. While at Bethune Cookman, Colston launched the School of Education which became accredited in 1945. Dr. Colston served as president of Georgia State College
from 1947 and until 1949.
Colston succeeded Benjamin F. Hubert
as president of the college in 1947. It was during Colston’s term as president that Savannah State became accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
. Also during his tenure, the college’s land-grant status was transferred to Fort Valley State College
(1949).
During his term as president the campus was modernized to include the construction of the first student center and the installation of the first campus-wide telephone system. Additionally, he established the school’s first Office of Public Relations and established the Campus Chest Program. Colston resigned in 1949.
From 1951-1965, Dr. Colston served as president of Knoxville College
in Eastern Tennessee. During his tenure the school experienced unparalleled growth. Thereafter, Colston headed Bronx Community College from 1966 until 1976. During his tenure the college's enrollment expanded from 7,000 students to 13,800 students and achieved both financial and academic success. As the school's second president, Colston oversaw the transfer of Bronx Community College from its temporary location to its Harlem River campus prior to the fall of 1973.
Bronx Community College
The Bronx Community College of The City University of New York is a community college in the City University of New York system located in the University Heights neighborhood of The Bronx.- History :...
in 1966.
Dr. Colston also served as president of three other institutions which include: Bethune-Cookman University 1942-1946; Georgia State College
Savannah State University
Savannah State University is a four-year, state-supported, historically black university located in Savannah, Georgia. Savannah State holds the distinction as the oldest public historically black university in Georgia...
(now Savannah State University
Savannah State University
Savannah State University is a four-year, state-supported, historically black university located in Savannah, Georgia. Savannah State holds the distinction as the oldest public historically black university in Georgia...
) 1947-1951; and Knoxville College
Knoxville College
Knoxville College is a historically black liberal arts college in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. Founded in 1875 by the United Presbyterian Church of North America, the school has an enrollment of approximately 100 students, and offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Studies and an Associate...
1951-1965.
Education
Dr. Colston received his B.S. in education from Morehouse CollegeMorehouse College
Morehouse College is a private, all-male, liberal arts, historically black college located in Atlanta, Georgia. Along with Hampden-Sydney College and Wabash College, Morehouse is one of three remaining traditional men's colleges in the United States....
in 1932; his M.A. in education from Atlanta University in 1933 and later obtained his Ph.D. from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
.
President
In 1942, Dr. Colston was named the second president of Bethune-Cookman University following the first retirement of the school's founder, Mary McLeod BethuneMary McLeod Bethune
Mary Jane McLeod Bethune was an American educator and civil rights leader best known for starting a school for African American students in Daytona Beach, Florida, that eventually became Bethune-Cookman University and for being an advisor to President Franklin D...
. While at Bethune Cookman, Colston launched the School of Education which became accredited in 1945. Dr. Colston served as president of Georgia State College
Savannah State University
Savannah State University is a four-year, state-supported, historically black university located in Savannah, Georgia. Savannah State holds the distinction as the oldest public historically black university in Georgia...
from 1947 and until 1949.
Colston succeeded Benjamin F. Hubert
Benjamin F. Hubert
Benjamin Franklin Hubert served as president of Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youth and Georgia State College from 1926 until 1947.-President:...
as president of the college in 1947. It was during Colston’s term as president that Savannah State became accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
. Also during his tenure, the college’s land-grant status was transferred to Fort Valley State College
Fort Valley State University
Fort Valley State University is a historically black university located in Fort Valley, Georgia. It is also a unit of the University System of Georgia and a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund...
(1949).
During his term as president the campus was modernized to include the construction of the first student center and the installation of the first campus-wide telephone system. Additionally, he established the school’s first Office of Public Relations and established the Campus Chest Program. Colston resigned in 1949.
From 1951-1965, Dr. Colston served as president of Knoxville College
Knoxville College
Knoxville College is a historically black liberal arts college in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. Founded in 1875 by the United Presbyterian Church of North America, the school has an enrollment of approximately 100 students, and offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Studies and an Associate...
in Eastern Tennessee. During his tenure the school experienced unparalleled growth. Thereafter, Colston headed Bronx Community College from 1966 until 1976. During his tenure the college's enrollment expanded from 7,000 students to 13,800 students and achieved both financial and academic success. As the school's second president, Colston oversaw the transfer of Bronx Community College from its temporary location to its Harlem River campus prior to the fall of 1973.
Legacy
The James A. Colston Administration Building on the university's campus is named in honor of Dr. Colston.Suggested Reading
- Hall, Clyde W (1991). One Hundred Years of Educating at Savannah State College, 1890-1990. East Peoria, Ill.: Versa Press.