The McGinnis Theater at East Carolina University is named in his honor.

Howard Justus McHinnis was born on April 4, 1882, in Kanawha River (Gilmer County), West Virginia .

He attended the Glenville State College and the West Virginia University, where he majored in science.

He was hired as a psychology professor at East Carolina Teachers College.

He was named acting president in 1944 upon the retirement of Leon Renfroe Meadows and served until August 1946.