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DALLAS (SMU) — Paul Hardin III, who served as the sixth president of SMU from 1972 to 1974, died July 1 at his home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, after battling ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was 86 years old.

“Higher education in our country lost a stalwart, effective and greatly admired member of its community,” said SMU President R. Gerald Turner. “I had the opportunity to become friends with Paul Hardin before my tenure began. It was a joy to have him and his family back on campus in August 2000 for the unveiling of his SMU presidential portrait, which hangs on campus with those of other past presidents.”

Hardin’s portrait is displayed in the first-floor lobby of SMU’s Perkins Administration Building.

Before his tenure at SMU, Hardin had served as president of Wofford College (1968-72). He went on to serve as president of Drew University (1974-88) and as chancellor of the University of North Carolina (1988-1995). Since 1995, he held the title of chancellor emeritus at the University of North Carolina.

Hardin was born in Charlotte, N.C., on June 11, 1931. His father, Paul Hardin Jr., served as a minister and bishop in the United Methodist Church. Hardin earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from Duke University in 1952, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. He returned to Duke for law school, where he graduated first in his class in 1954.

He served for two years in the U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Corps and then practiced law in Birmingham, Ala., for two years. He returned to Duke Law School in 1958, serving first as assistant professor and then as professor until 1968.

A memorial service for Hardin will be held July 8 in Chapel Hill at University United Methodist Church. Read more from the Associated Press obituary here.

http://www.smu.edu/news/2017/paul-hardi ... 03july2017

Paul Hardin saw the Kraken among the SMU supporters before everybody else and was fired by the same alumni who perpetually tarnished the reputation of the university. RIP

Wonder if he was able to see the "Kraken" at UNC?

Funny, but Coach Smith was the one paying the players for interceptions and ball recoveries. He's the one who took it directly out of the hands of the alumni and filtered it through his staff. When he found out, Hardin blew the whistle himself, which he thought would only get the school a slap on its hands. Wrong. The Southwest Conference only slapped us on the hands, but the NCAA did more than that. Lesson......you don't p_off the people who hired you and are the school's main financial support.

smusportspage wrote:Wonder if he was able to see the "Kraken" at UNC?

With my 280 days at Sea I have seen the Kraken it's no joking matter. She always gets the all inclusive alcohol package too.

http://www.dallasobserver.com/news/how- ... er-7126298

Interesting article. Says when he tried to clean up the program in the early 70's he got asked to go elsewhere. Later on, when applying to become president at another university, he got the job because they were aware of his attempts to clean up SMU's program.

That University?

North Carolina.

As a note, also served in the Army for a few years before becoming a professor.

RIP, killer.

EDIT: Sorry SMUsportspage, didn't see your reference to UNC. My bad.

Just shows that some swamps are harder to drain than others.

Yeah.......SMU just loves their Krakens from Duke; whether they be graduates of or Deans of Law from them devils in blue.

Semi was a nice addition from Duke.