James Oblinger '67 Elected Chancellor of North Carolina State University

October 14, 2004

October 14, 2004, Greencastle, Ind. - James L. Oblinger, a 1967 graduate of DePauw University, has been formally elected the new chancellor of North Carolina State University. A story in the Herald-Sun of Durham, North Carolina, says that Dr. Oblinger, "who rose last year to provost and executive vice chancellor at NC State, will take over the top administrative job on January 1, UNC President Molly Broad announced."

"NC State has a unique place in the history, quality of life and economic development of North Carolina," Oblinger said. "NC State takes seriously the public's trust and our role in addressing the relevant needs of the state. Our university can and will continue to be one of North Carolina's greatest resources. I'm honored to be chosen to lead this great institution."

"With his extensive experience, his profound appreciation of the land-grant mission and his demonstrated commitment to scholarship and public service, Jim Oblinger will be a forceful and effective leader for N.C. State," Broad told the newspaper. "We are delighted to promote such an individual from within our own ranks."

The article states that Oblinger emerged from a field of nearly 100 candidates for the position. "It became clear that one candidate was the best of the best," NC State Trustee Bob Jordan said. "We bumped [Oblinger] against the best, from across the nation. He not only won, but it was unanimous. Every time we voted, it was unanimous. And he came in and did an interview that was so much better than anyone else."

Rob Shapard writes, "Oblinger, 58, is an Ohio native who first came to NC State in 1986 as associate dean and director of academic programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Eleven years later, he became dean of that college and executive director for agricultural programs. Oblinger, who had earned a bachelor's degree in bacteriology at DePauw University and master's and doctoral degrees in food technology at Iowa State University, started his teaching career at the University of Florida as a food microbiologist and assistant professor of food science and human nutrition. Before he came to Raleigh, Oblinger was an associate dean in the College of Agriculture at the University of Missouri."

Read the complete story by clicking here. 

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