James A. Colston

Dr. James A. Colston
President of Georgia State College
In office 1947–1949
Preceded by	Benjamin F. Hubert
Succeeded by	William K. Payne
Personal details
Alma mater	Morehouse College, New York University
Profession	College President

James A. Colston (1910–1982) 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 predominantly 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 1942-46; Georgia State College (now Savannah State University) 1947-51; and Knoxville College 1951-65.

Colston received his B.S. in education from Morehouse College in 1932; his M.A. in education from Atlanta University in 1933 and later obtained his Ph.D. from New York University.

In 1942, Dr. Colston was named the second president of Bethune-Cookman University following the first retirement of the school's founder, Mary McLeod Bethune. 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.

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