Dr. William H. Hinton

President: 1962-1987
Chancellor: 1987-1991

Dr. William H. Hinton served as the founding president of Houston Baptist College. A man with a pioneering spirit who distinguished himself as an athlete, educator, administrator and servant of God, he was named president on July 1, 1962.

Beginning with 200 acres of rice fields, a dynamic, committed Board of Trustees and the dream of having a premier Christian liberal arts college in Houston, Dr. Hinton literally helped to build HBC—and later HBU—from the ground up. When classes began in 1963, there were 193 students enrolled in courses taught by 29 faculty members. Facilities on the fledgling campus consisted of the Brown Administrative Complex and two dormitories.

Over the next 25 years, Dr. Hinton saw Houston Baptist College evolve into Houston Christian University, a thriving institution with well-established traditions, a significantly expanded physical plant, an academic program that offered both undergraduate and graduate degrees, a faculty of 132 dedicated scholars and an enrollment of 3,000 students.

On June 1, 1987, Dr. Hinton took on a new role, as chancellor of Houston Christian University.  He held that position until his retirement on June 30, 1991.

Born in Estelline, Texas, Dr. Hinton was educated in Texas schools, where he became known for his leadership as a class president and all-state athlete. At Howard Payne University, he played on the football and basketball teams, both of which participated in the NAIA national semifinals. After graduating from Howard Payne in 1943, Dr. Hinton joined the Army Corps of Engineers and served as a lieutenant in the Pacific Theater of Operations.

While pursuing his advanced degrees, Dr. Hinton served as a teacher, coach, principal and athletic director in several Texas school districts. During that time, he received his master’s degree from Hardin Simmons University and his doctorate in education from the University of Texas. Dr. Hinton also served as executive vice president of Howard Payne University, president of Northeast Mississippi Junior College and president of Texarkana College.

Dr. Hinton passed away on April 10, 2004 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Hinton Academic Center on the HCU campus is named in his honor. Dr. Hinton and his wife, Bobbie Ruth, are survived by two daughters (Julie and Linda), six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.