Dr. James E. Short, a native of Castle, Mont., is a 1935 graduate of the Montana State Normal College (MSNC) with a Bachelor of Education. He served as president of Western Montana College (WMC) from 1957 - 1976.
Short was a classmate and teammate of another future Hall of Famer, Bill Straugh. Both were members of the Bulldog football team.
After graduating from MSNC, Short taught math and science, and was the athletic director and principal at Klein, Mont. During his summers, he worked for the Forest Service and attended summer school at the University of Montana.
Short served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After his discharge, he enrolled at the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash. where he obtained his Masters and Doctorate in Education.
From 1950 to 1957, Short served as a professor of education, director of student teaching and Dean of Education at the University of Montana.
During his 19-year tenure as Western’s president nine new buildings were constructed and enrollment reached an all-time high. Short was a strong supporter of Bulldog athletics, not only as president but as an alum and a fan.
Short passed away Oct. 26, 1998.
