Dr. James Ralph Scales (born May 27, 1919 - died 1996[1]) was president of Oklahoma Baptist University (his alma mater), 1961–1965, and eleventh president of Wake Forest University, from 1968 to 1983. Scales was born in Delaware County, Oklahoma. While still living in Oklahoma, he was active in Democratic Party politics, serving as an alternate to the 1956 Democratic National Convention.
The James R. Scales Fine Arts Center on the Wake Forest campus is named for him.
| Preceded by John Wesley Raley |
Oklahoma Baptist University President 1961 - 1965 |
Succeeded by Grady C. Cothen |
| Preceded by Harold W. Tribble |
President of Wake Forest University 1967 - 1983 |
Succeeded by Thomas K. Hearn, Jr. |