Paul Hardin III (June 11, 1931 – July 1, 2017) was an American academic administrator who spent 27 years as a leader in higher education.

He returned to Duke Law School where he served on the faculty for ten years before becoming President of Wofford College at the age of 37.

Two years into his tenure, he discovered infractions within the SMU football program involving coaches, boosters and university trustees.

Hardin reported the violations to the NCAA, a move that was applauded by some, but eventually led to his forced resignation at the hands of powerful members of the SMU Board of Governors.

But in spite of his Duke pedigree, and after stints at several smaller private institutions, he took the reins at the large public research university in 1988.

The Chapel Hill campus offered stark contrast against the backdrop of the tiny, private Wofford and Drew communities, and Hardin encountered the understandable culture shock of operating as an administrator in the public sector.

The Bicentennial Observance culminated in a University Day celebration in 1993, during which Hardin conferred an honorary degree upon President Bill Clinton.

Hardin was active in civil rights issues, and even ran for mayor of Durham in 1967, losing in part due to his liberal views on race relations.

He worried that he was being portrayed as a "60s liberal who stopped growing," while in fact throughout his career he worked to promote underrepresented groups and opinions on campuses and in his administrations.

[10] A national leader in higher education, Paul Hardin earned a reputation for bold leadership, formidable fundraising skills, integrity, an open and engaging personality, and a relentlessly positive spirit.

An avid golfer, he competed as an amateur in the 1962 British Open, recorded six career holes in one and shot his age on numerous occasions.