By Sid Hall, Military Affairs Coordinator / ROTC Program Manager
NATCHITOCHES – In continuing its tradition of honoring those who serve in the nation’s Armed Forces, Northwestern State University named Dr. James Akin the honorary captain during the home opener of Demon football Sept. 16.
Akin served in the U.S. Army Security Agency. He attained the rank of sergeant and served as the clerk to the Agency’s Headquarters Commander and then again for the Operations Commander. He shared that, “In the Army, the only thing that counts is how you soldier.” His favorite military assignment was Berlin, Germany, where he met his wife of 60 years, Barbara.
After leaving the service, Akin was the production manager for the journal Military Medicine and then served as a public schools administrator for the City of Alexandria, Virginia.
He received his Bachelor and Master of Arts from the University of Kentucky. He then earned a Master of Arts and Doctorate in Education from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
Akin hails from Paintsville, Kentucky. Joining him to cheer on the Demons was his son, Dr. Jonathan Akin, NSU professor of Biology. They were escorted on field by Dr. Marcus Jones, president of Northwestern, and Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Smalley, U.S. Army Retired, Northwestern Demon Regiment Chief of Staff.
From left are Dr. Jonathan Akin, Dr. James Akin, NSU President Dr. Marcus Jones and LTC Arthur Smalley.
