James Earl McLeod (July 29, 1944 – September 6, 2011) was a scholar of Germanic studies and administrator at Washington University in St. Louis.

Upon his return to the United States, McLeod graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in German and Chemistry.

McLeod continued his post graduate studies as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow at Rice University in Houston, Texas.

His graduate work consisted primarily of information on turn-of-the-century Vienna and post-war Germany.

[4] Students who are chosen as McLeod Scholars show academic achievement, commitment to serve others, leadership potential, and character.