Photograph of James D. McComas

Photograph of James D. McComas

Born Dec. 23, 1928, in Pritchard, West Virginia. Received bachelor’s degree at West Virginia University, 1951; master’s in 1960 and Ph. D. in education in 1962, both from Ohio State University. Married Adele Stoltz of Gouverneur, N. Y., on May 10, 1961; had two children. Worked as head of Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, New Mexico State University, 1966-67; dean, College of Education, Kansas State University, 1967-69; dean, College of Education, University of Tennessee, 1969-76. Served as president, Mississippi State University, 1976-85; president, University of Toledo, 1985-88. Named president of Virginia Tech, May 23, 1988, effective Sept. 1, 1988. Installed as president, Dec. 3, 1988. Mississippi State named new creative arts building inhis honor, 1991. Named chairman of the board, National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, Nov. 1992. Appointed to Commission on Leadership Development of the American Council on Education, Jan. 1993. Announced resignation for health reasons Sept. 28, 1993, effective Jan. 1, 1994. Died Feb. 10, 1994, in Columbus, Ohio, at age 65. Ruffner Medal presented posthumously, Founders Day 1994. McComas Hall named in his memory and dedicated in 1998.

Historical Photograph Collection, Special Collections and University Archives

mccomas

[image name], Historical Photograph Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.