James A. Hefner facts for kids

James Arthur Hefner (born June 20, 1941 – died August 27, 2015) was an important leader in higher education. He served as president of two big universities: Tennessee State University and Jackson State University. He also worked as a professor and a provost (a senior leader) at other colleges.

Early Life and Education

James Arthur Hefner was born in Brevard, North Carolina. His family was very poor and did not own books. His elementary school principal noticed how smart he was. She invited him to her home to read her encyclopedias. James went there every day after school for almost eight years.

He was the top student in his elementary class. He was also the second-best student when he graduated from high school. He then went to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. There, his economics professor, Dr. Janieta Tate, saw his talent. She often invited him to her house to talk about economics.

James earned his bachelor's degree in Economics in 1961. He then got his master's degree from Atlanta University in 1962. He taught there for several years. In 1971, he earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Colorado. James believed his job was to help young African-Americans reach their full potential, just like his teachers helped him.

Leading Jackson State University

Dr. James A. Hefner became the seventh president of Jackson State University on May 1, 1984. He led the university until April 1, 1991. When he became president, he started a big fundraising effort. He aimed to raise $10 million in five years. He actually raised $11.2 million a year ahead of schedule!

During his time, he made many improvements. He improved the scholarship program for students. He also helped create a Community Development Corporation. This group worked to improve the area around the campus. He also started new centers for professional development and technology.

Leading Tennessee State University

Dr. Hefner served as president of Tennessee State University for 14 years, from 1991 to 2005. During this time, he managed a huge $112 million plan. This plan was part of the Geier agreement. This agreement aimed to make higher education spending fair for all students in Tennessee.

Many new buildings were built on campus. These included a campus center, an administration building, and a performing arts center. The number of students at the university also grew a lot. Enrollment reached an all-time high of 9,100 students.

Later Life and Legacy

After retiring from Tennessee State University, Dr. Hefner became a Harvard Fellow at the Du Bois Institute. He was also a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. James Arthur Hefner passed away on August 27, 2015, at the age of 74. He died from colon cancer.