James Russell Noland, Jr. (1924-2017), a Methodist minister was active in the ecumenical movement and gave leadership to the National Council of Churches, the Philadelphia Council of Churches, and the Ohio Council of Churches. He came to Houston in 1955 as Executive Director of Protestant Charities, a United Fund Agency. Under his direction, the agency coordinated work between churches and community welfare agencies, sponsored the first Head Start Program in the city, developed the Foster Grandparent Program, and carried out a ministry in public housing and the Harris County Jail. Active in many community organizations, the Rev. Mr. Noland was President of the Houston Ministerial Association. During his lifetime, Mr. Noland served on the faculties of eight universities (including the University of Houston) in the fields of history, sociology, education, and organizational behavior. During the 1950s and 60s he worked in advancing civil rights and desegregation in the community and in schools.

Source: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/nytimes/name/james-noland-obituary?pid=186267981