James A. Colston

James A. Colston (1910–1982) was a high school principal and served as president of several colleges in the United States. He served as president of Bethune-Cookman University 1942–46; Georgia State College (now Savannah State University) 1947–51; and Knoxville College 1951–65. He 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.

Education 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.

Career Colston served as principal of Ballard Normal School in Macon, Georgia from 1938 to 1942.

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 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, succeeding Benjamin F. Hubert.

It was during Colston’s term as president that Savannah State became accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).