Paul E. Huff

Hall of Fame Class of 1998

Paul E. Huff served more than 30 years with the Department of Defense before becoming Deputy Chief of the Education Division, Headquarters Strategic Air Command (SAC), in 1962 and then Chief in 1967. In his 15 years at SAC, he was a visionary, increasing the limited educational offerings and services of the early 1960s into multifaceted and diverse on-base, degree-granting programs. Indeed, SAC bases became campuses with education an integral part of the service personnel’s career development. He initiated the Minuteman Education Program as an incentive for officers to volunteer for Launch Control duty. The program produced more than 3,500 graduate degrees for Air Force officers assigned to remote, isolated silos. He was instrumental in expanding the University of Oklahoma’s Advanced Programs to Air Force installations and ultimately throughout the Department of Defense. More significantly, through his tireless efforts and leadership, resident credit was granted for adult and continuing education courses and programs regardless of where the courses are taught. 

In 1990, Dr. Huff received the Lifetime Humanitarian Award from the American Association of College Counselors, Meritorious Civilian Service Medals from the Department of the Air Force and the Adult Education Association, and many commendations from the Air Force and the Department of Defense.

Dr. Huff received his B.A. (education and mathematics) from the University of Redlands, his M.A. (history and education) from the University of Iowa, and his Ph.D. from California Western University.

Since retiring from federal service in 1977, he has served on the faculty at several universities and colleges, including Kanto Gakuin University in Japan, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in English, education, and management. He also served as the Vice President, Off-Campus Programs, Georgia Military College, and Far East Director of Chapman University. Currently, he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in education and management at Troy State University and Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu, Hawaii. In 1996, he was elected as the community representative for the School Community Based Management Council for He’eia Elementary School in Kaneohe, Hawaii.