Robert A. Barnhardt was born on September 21, 1937, at West Pittston, Pennsylvania. He earned a bachelor’s degree in textile engineering in 1959 from the Philadelphia Colleges of Textiles and Science, where he later served as chairman of the Department of Textiles. He received a master’s degree from the Institute of Textile Technology (ITT) in 1961, as well as a masters of education degree and a doctorate in education administration from the University of Virginia in 1970 and 1974 respectively. In 1966, he became dean and director of education at ITT, then based in Charlottesville, Virginia. By the time he left ITT in 1987, he was the executive vice president and chief operating officer. He joined NCSU in 1987 as dean of the College of Textiles. He played a pivotal role in bringing ITT to the NCSU campus. Although Barnhardt retired as dean in 1999, he served as NCSU’s interim provost in 2003 and interim chancellor from July to December 2004.
Portrait
of Robert A. Barnhardt