North Carolina State University, Office of the Chancellor, James L. Oblinger Records 2004-2009

Summary
Contents
Names/subjects
Using these materials
Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.
Creator
North Carolina State University. Office of the Chancellor
Size
96.1 linear feet (169 boxes, 2 cartons, 1 cd box, 1 flat box, 4 flat folders, 2 half boxes, 7 legal boxes, 3 reel boxes)
Call number
UA 002.001.009
Access to materials

This collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice, with the following exceptions:

Folders marked "restricted" must be reviewed by Special Collections Research Center staff prior to patron access.

Patrons may not access original CDs or DVDs; use copies of these items must be created prior to patron access.

The records of James Oblinger’s administration in the Office of the Chancellor at North Carolina State University include correspondence, audits, speech transcripts, reports, minutes, and other administrative papers. Topics include capital improvements, the expansion of Centennial Campus, athletics, the redevelopment of Hillsborough Street and its impact on the university and other events and affairs of the campus during the time period of these records, 2004-2009.

After serving as Professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Florida, James Oblinger became Associate Dean and Director of Resident Instruction for the College of Agriculture at the University of Missouri-Columbia (1984-1986). At NC State, Oblinger served as Associate Dean and Dean of Academic Affairs for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (1986-1997), as Dean and Executive Director for Agricultural Programs for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (1997-2003), and as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor before being named the 13th Chancellor of North Carolina State University in 2005.

Biographical/historical note

The Chancellor is the chief administrative and executive officer, leader and spokesperson of North Carolina State University. The Chancellor, who has complete executive authority for the university, subject to the direction of the president and the board of trustees, defines the scope and authority of faculties, councils, committees, and officers of North Carolina State University, is a member of all faculties and other academic bodies of the university, and has the right to preside over the deliberations of the legislative bodies of the faculties of the institution. The Office of the Chancellor retains authority in faculty and EPA personnel, student matters, contracts, leases, and other agreements, and the acquisition and disposition of property.

The title of the head of North Carolina State University has changed over time. First the university was led by a president (1889-1934), then a vice president of the Consolidated University (1934), then a dean of Administration (1934-1945), and finally a chancellor (1945-present).

James L. Oblinger was born in Ashland, Ohio. He received a bachelor’s degree in bacteriology at DePauw University in 1967, and both an M.S. and Ph.D. in food technology at Iowa State University in 1970 and 1972, respectively. He was an Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Florida from 1972 to 1984. At the University of Missouri-Columbia, he acted as associate dean and director of resident instruction of the College of Agriculture from 1984-1986. At NC State, Oblinger served as Associate Dean and Dean of Academic Affairs for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (1986-1997), as Dean and Executive Director for Agricultural Programs of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (1997-2003), and as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor before being named the 13th Chancellor of North Carolina State University in 2005.

Chancellor Oblinger resigned in June of 2009 amid controversy related to the hiring of former First Lady of North Carolina, Mary Easley.

Scope/content

The records of James Oblinger reflect much of the time of his tenure as Chancellor at North Carolina State University (2004-2009), and include correspondence, audits, speech transcripts, reports, minutes, and other administrative papers. Topics include capital improvements, the expansion of Centennial Campus including the addition of Engineering Complex III, athletics, and the beginning of the redevelopment of Hillsborough Street. Topics also include the continuation of speaker series such as the Emerging Issues Forum and the Millenium Seminars Series, attracting speakers such as former Senator Bill Bradley, Senator Chris Dodd, and former President Bill Clinton. The records include numerous transcripts of speeches given by Chancellor Oblinger at football games and other events. Several of these speeches mention the passing of women’s basketball coach Kay Yow in 2009. Under Oblinger’s leadership, graduate student enrollment and distance education enrollment increased, with both numbers reaching all-time highs, and a new Office of Undergraduate Research was also created. The university also continued to expand in the fields of biotechnology, nanotechnology, proteomics, food safety, and biomedical research.

The records of the Office of the Chancellor during James Oblinger’s administration range in date from 2004-2009.

Arrangement

The records of the Office of the Chancellor during James Oblinger’s administration are arranged chronologically, and then alphabetically by topic with the exception of recent unprocessed additions at the end of the collection, which are arranged in the order received.

Use of these materials

The nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], North Carolina State University, Office of the Chancellor, James L. Oblinger Records, UA 002.001.009, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Source of acquisition

Transferred by North Carolina State University, Office of the Chancellor.

Processing information

Processed by Cathy Dorin-Black, Alston Brake, 2010 August; Finding aid written by Cathy Dorin-Black, Alston Brake, 2010 August; Further processing and finding aid updates by Laura Abraham, 2019 January - 2021 March; Further processing by Kayla Bridgham and Trey Kaufman, 2021 August; Finding aid updates by Clara Wilson, 2022 April

Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.
Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.

Access to the collection

This collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice, with the following exceptions:

Folders marked "restricted" must be reviewed by Special Collections Research Center staff prior to patron access.

Patrons may not access original CDs or DVDs; use copies of these items must be created prior to patron access.

For more information contact us via mail, phone, or our web form.

Mailing address:
Special Collections Research Center
Box 7111
Raleigh, NC, 27695-7111

Phone: (919) 515-2273

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], North Carolina State University, Office of the Chancellor, James L. Oblinger Records, UA 002.001.009, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Use of these materials

The nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.