HALL OF FAME 1994 James H. "Buck" Harless started his career in the coal mines and has grown to become one of the most substantial benefactors of higher education in West Virginia. After graduation from high school, he worked as a miner for several years at Red Jacket Coal Co. In 1947 he gave up mining to become a part-owner and manager of a saw-mill. Through smart investments, he grew to be a major entrepreneur with significant international timber holdings. Although he did not go to college, he has helped ma n y students do so by donating his time, money and expertise. He was one of the first contributors to the Society of Yeager Scholars at Marshall University. He has been awarded five honorary doctoral degrees, including an honorary Doctor of Humane letters degree from Marshall in 1979 that recognized his involvement in programs to improve health care for people of Southern West Virginia. In 1983 he received the "West Virginian of the Year" award from The Sunday Gazette-Mail in Charleston and the "Spirit o f Life" award from the City of Hope.