Arthur Howard Hughes was a professor of German who served as acting president twice; from 1943-1945 and 1951-1953. He began teaching at Trinity in 1935 as an Assistant Professor of German and served as Dean of the College from 1940.

Hughes' first term came after the sudden death of President Remsen Brinckerhoff Ogilby. Hughes' biggest challenge was the presence of the V-12 unit, a Navy training program, on campus. Hughes was allegedly so successful in his first acting term that many believed he would be appointed president for good, but President George Keith Funston was appointed in 1944.